Lysimachia latifolia
Pacific starflower, Pacific Starflower
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Family: Myrsinaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lysimachia latifolia (Pacific starflower) is a native California perennial in the Myrsinaceae family, recognized by key features: woodland habitat, pink 7-9-petaled flowers, pedicels shorter than leaves.
Pacific starflower is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the northern California Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, and central western California in shaded woodland habitats at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate pink to rose flowers about 8 to 15 millimeters wide with (5 to 9) petals. Growing with erect stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive whorl of leaves near the stem tip, with large ovate to obovate leaf blades 25 to 90 millimeters long. Its leaves are arranged uniquely, clustering near the stem's top with occasionally scale-like proximal leaves and slender petioles. The plant produces a 5-valved, nearly spherical fruit following its distinctive pink blossoms.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features: woodland habitat, pink 7-9-petaled flowers, pedicels shorter than leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded places, especially woodland
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: Sierra, Sonoma, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Siskiyou
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Lysimachia latifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
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 latifolia native to California?
Yes. Lysimachia latifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lysimachia latifolia bloom?
Lysimachia latifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lysimachia latifolia grow?
Lysimachia latifolia occurs in Sierra, Sonoma, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Siskiyou, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Lysimachia latifolia belong to?
Lysimachia latifolia is in the Myrsinaceae family, genus Lysimachia.
What habitat does Lysimachia latifolia grow in?
Lysimachia latifolia grows in Shaded places, especially woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.