Micranthes aprica
Sierra saxifrage
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micranthes aprica (Sierra saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by small size and head-like clusters.
Sierra saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky, wet alpine meadows and vernally moist flats at elevations of 1,600 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small white flowers in compact clusters with petals 1.8 to 3 millimeters long. Growing as a diminutive plant just 5 to 7 centimeters tall, it features a distinctive caudex that typically produces small bulblets. Its leaves are obovate to elliptic, measuring 10 to 45 millimeters long, with petioles 5 to 15 millimeters and edges that are entire or minutely toothed toward the leaf tip. The plant produces two partially inferior ovaries that develop into follicles, reflecting its unique alpine adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are small size and head-like clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, wet alpine meadows, vernally moist flats
Elevation: 1600-3600 m
California counties: Mono, Alpine, Butte, Lassen, Mariposa, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tulare, Tuolumne, Tehama
Outside California: southwestern Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Micranthes aprica blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Saxifraga: Micranthes has all leaves unlobed/entire; Saxifraga has at least some leaves lobed or divided.; vs Romanzoffia: Micranthes has basal rosettes and 2 pistils; Romanzoffia has trailing stems and funnel-shaped flowers.; vs Boykinia: Micranthes has 2 separate pistils forming follicles; Boykinia has 1 pistil forming a capsule.; vs Calyptridium: Micranthes has 2 pistils and 5 petals; Calyptridium has 1 pistil and 2 petals.; vs Verbascum: Micranthes has basal rosettes with small flowers; Verbascum has tall spikes with large fuzzy flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Micranthes aprica native to California?
Yes. Micranthes aprica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micranthes aprica bloom?
Micranthes aprica blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Micranthes aprica grow?
Micranthes aprica occurs in Mono, Alpine, Butte, Lassen, Mariposa, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 1600-3600 m.
What plant family does Micranthes aprica belong to?
Micranthes aprica is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Micranthes.
What habitat does Micranthes aprica grow in?
Micranthes aprica grows in Rocky, wet alpine meadows, vernally moist flats.
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.