Lythrum portula
Broad leaved loosestrife
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Family: Lythraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Lythrum portula (Broad leaved loosestrife) is a non-native California herb in the Lythraceae family, recognized by creeping habit, elevation, and tiny size.
Broad leaved loosestrife is a naturalized annual found in northern Sierra Nevada, northern California, and Sacramento Valley in drying ponds and lake margins at elevations of 1,000 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white to rose-pink flowers less than 1 millimeter long in individual axillary clusters. Growing with extensively creeping or decumbent stems 5 to 25 centimeters long that are reddish and branched at the base, it has a low-growing, spreading habit. Its opposite leaves are fleshy, oblong to obovate, and measure 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long. The plant produces small, nearly spherical fruits that extend beyond the flower's base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by creeping habit, elevation, and tiny size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Drying ponds, lake margins
Elevation: 1000-2200 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Lythrum portula blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Coleonema: Lythrum has tubular flower bases and wetland habitat; Coleonema has open flowers and grows in dry upland areas.; vs Cuphea: Lythrum has symmetrical cylindrical flower tubes; Cuphea has asymmetrical, curved tubular flowers.; vs Epilobium: Lythrum has cylindrical flower tubes with leaves in pairs/whorls; Epilobium has cross-shaped flowers with inferior ovaries.; vs Salvia: Lythrum has cylindrical flower tubes and smooth leaf margins; Salvia has hooded, 2-lipped flowers and square stems.; vs Lysimachia: Lythrum has distinct tubular flower bases; Lysimachia has flat, wheel-shaped flowers without tubes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lythrum portula native to California?
No. Lythrum portula is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lythrum portula bloom?
Lythrum portula blooms Apr-Oct.
What plant family does Lythrum portula belong to?
Lythrum portula is in the Lythraceae family, genus Lythrum.
What habitat does Lythrum portula grow in?
Lythrum portula grows in Drying ponds, lake margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.