Meconella denticulata
Small flowered meconella
(c) George Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Meconella denticulata (Small flowered meconella) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by . Found in SCoRO and SW bioregions.
Small flowered meconella is a California native annual found in southern coastal ranges and southwestern California in shaded canyons at elevations below 1,250 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces small white flowers measuring 2 to 6 millimeters across. Growing with slender stems 3 to 21 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and understated structure. Its leaves range from 2 to 40 millimeters long, appearing entire or with minute teeth along the edges. The plant develops elongated fruits 20 to 30 millimeters in length, with tiny obovate-reniform seeds approximately 0.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all congeners. Found in SCoRO and SW bioregions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded canyons
Elevation: < 1250 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Butte, Kern, Sacramento, Tulare
Bloom period
Meconella denticulata blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperomecon: Meconella is completely smooth; Hesperomecon has conspicuous bristly hairs.; vs Platystemon: Meconella has smooth, spoon-shaped leaves on stalks; Platystemon is hairy throughout.; vs Canbya: Meconella has spoon-shaped leaves on stalks; Canbya has stalkless fleshy leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meconella denticulata native to California?
Yes. Meconella denticulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Meconella denticulata bloom?
Meconella denticulata blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Meconella denticulata grow?
Meconella denticulata occurs in Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 1250 m.
What plant family does Meconella denticulata belong to?
Meconella denticulata is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Meconella.
What habitat does Meconella denticulata grow in?
Meconella denticulata grows in Shaded canyons.
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.