Lythrum tribracteatum
Three bracted loosestrife
(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · licence
Family: Lythraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Lythrum tribracteatum (Three bracted loosestrife) is a non-native California herb in the Lythraceae family, recognized by distinctive narrow hypanthium and small size.
Three bracted loosestrife is a naturalized annual found in northern Coast Ranges, Great Valley, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, and northern North Coast Ranges in wet areas and drying ponds at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small lavender flowers less than 3 millimeters long, arising singly in leaf axils. Growing with decumbent to weakly ascending stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it often branches near the base and appears delicate and sparse. Its leaves are distinctively arranged with lower leaves opposite and upper leaves alternate, ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 centimeters long and shaped as oblong to oblanceolate. The plant's cylindric fruits are approximately the same length as its narrow, 5 to 6 millimeter long hypanthium.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by distinctive narrow hypanthium and small size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet areas, drying ponds
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Solano, Modoc, Sonoma, Merced, Orange, Colusa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Lassen, Yolo, Lake, Stanislaus, Shasta, Butte, Glenn, Sacramento, Tehama, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo
Outside California: native to southern Europe
Bloom period
Lythrum tribracteatum blooms May-Jun.
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 tribracteatum native to California?
No. Lythrum tribracteatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lythrum tribracteatum bloom?
Lythrum tribracteatum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Lythrum tribracteatum grow?
Lythrum tribracteatum occurs in Solano, Modoc, Sonoma, Merced, Orange, Colusa, Contra Costa, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Lythrum tribracteatum belong to?
Lythrum tribracteatum is in the Lythraceae family, genus Lythrum.
What habitat does Lythrum tribracteatum grow in?
Lythrum tribracteatum grows in Wet areas, drying ponds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lythrum californicum — California loosestrife
- Lythrum hyssopifolia — Hyssop loosestrife
- Lythrum junceum
- Lythrum portula — Broad leaved loosestrife
- Lythrum salicaria — Purple loosestrife
- Lythrum sp. — Loosestrife
- Punica granatum — Pomegranate
- Punica sp. — Pomegranate
- Rotala indica — Indian toothcup
- Rotala ramosior — Lowland rotala
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.