Lysimachia europaea
Arctic starflower, Arctic Starflower
(c) Cheryl McCleary-Catalano, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Myrsinaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Lysimachia europaea (Arctic starflower) is a native California herb in the Myrsinaceae family, recognized by key features: bog habitat, very low elevation, 7-9 white petals.
Arctic starflower is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the North Coast bioregion near Crescent City in Del Norte County, specifically in bogs and wet areas at elevations generally below 10 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers approximately 12 to 16 millimeters wide with (5-)7(-9) petals. Growing with erect stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive whorl of leaves near the stem tip with a few alternate leaves along the stem. Its leaves range from 15 to 50 millimeters long, elliptic to obovate in shape, with proximal leaves becoming smaller and more scale-like. The plant produces a nearly spherical 5-valved fruit, completing its distinctive life cycle in these low-elevation coastal wetland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features: bog habitat, very low elevation, 7-9 white petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bogs, wet areas
Elevation: generally < 10 m
Outside California: to Alaska, western Canada, Idaho
Bloom period
Lysimachia europaea blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Modiola: Lysimachia has stamens opposite petals; Modiola has stamens fused in a central column.; vs Euphorbia: Lysimachia has true petals; spurge has petal-like bracts around flower clusters and milky sap.; vs Honckenya: Lysimachia has stamens opposite petals; sandwort has stamens alternating with petals.; vs Erythranthe: Lysimachia has radially symmetric flowers; monkeyflower has bilateral tubular flowers.; vs Veronica: Lysimachia has 5 petals and stamens opposite petals; speedwell has 4 petals and 2 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lysimachia europaea native to California?
Yes. Lysimachia europaea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lysimachia europaea bloom?
Lysimachia europaea blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Lysimachia europaea belong to?
Lysimachia europaea is in the Myrsinaceae family, genus Lysimachia.
Is Lysimachia europaea rare or endangered?
Lysimachia europaea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lysimachia europaea grow in?
Lysimachia europaea grows in Bogs, wet areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.