Luetkea pectinata
Partridge foot
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Luetkea pectinata (Partridge foot) is a native California subshrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by Pacific Northwest alpine species at southern range limit; monotypic genus adapted to harsh montane conditions.
Partridge foot is a California native subshrub found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range Regions in moist mountain slopes and conifer forests at elevations of 1,800 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small terminal racemes, with petals approximately 3 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate or long-trailing stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms low-spreading clusters across alpine and subalpine terrain. Its leaves are intricately dissected into fine linear segments, with each leaf 5 to 15 millimeters long, divided approximately two-ternately with acute segments that are ribbed on the undersurface. The plant produces 4 to 6 leathery follicles about 4 millimeters long, which split open along both sutures when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pacific Northwest alpine species at southern range limit; monotypic genus adapted to harsh montane conditions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist slopes, often near snow, conifer forest
Elevation: 1800-2800 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Riverside, Shasta, Del Norte
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Luetkea pectinata blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Purshia: Luetkea forms ground-hugging mats under 8 inches; Purshia is an upright shrub.; vs Chamaebatia: Luetkea lacks the strong resinous smell and sticky glands of mountain misery.; vs Chamaebatiaria: Luetkea forms low mats in alpine areas; desertsweet is upright in high desert habitats.; vs Lyonothamnus: Luetkea is a tiny alpine mat plant; Catalina ironwood is a tree up to 50 feet tall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luetkea pectinata native to California?
Yes. Luetkea pectinata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Luetkea pectinata bloom?
Luetkea pectinata blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Luetkea pectinata grow?
Luetkea pectinata occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Riverside, Shasta, Del Norte, at elevations of 1800-2800 m.
What plant family does Luetkea pectinata belong to?
Luetkea pectinata is in the Rosaceae family, genus Luetkea.
What habitat does Luetkea pectinata grow in?
Luetkea pectinata grows in Moist slopes, often near snow, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.