Micranthes bryophora
Bud saxifrage
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micranthes bryophora (Bud saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by distinctive bulblets in inflorescence and bilateral flowers.
Bud saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in sandy meadows and rocky ledges at elevations of 1,600 to 3,600 meters. Flowering in July to August, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive yellow spots at the base of the petals, featuring three broad spade-shaped petals and two narrow lanceolate petals. Growing as a compact plant 3 to 25 centimeters tall with an open habit, it forms a delicate cluster with a thin rhizome. Its leaves are relatively fleshy, linear-elliptic, 1 to 4 centimeters long, with margins that are nearly entire or finely toothed toward the tip. Uniquely, the plant's lower flowers are often replaced by small bulblets, creating an interesting reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinctive bulblets in inflorescence and bilateral flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy meadows, ledges
Elevation: 1600-3600 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Alpine, Kings, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Inyo, Mono, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tehama, Tuolumne, Butte, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Kern, Marin, Merced, San Benito, Ventura, Lassen
Bloom period
Micranthes bryophora blooms (Jun)Jul-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 bryophora native to California?
Yes. Micranthes bryophora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micranthes bryophora bloom?
Micranthes bryophora blooms (Jun)Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Micranthes bryophora grow?
Micranthes bryophora occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Alpine, Kings, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 1600-3600 m.
What plant family does Micranthes bryophora belong to?
Micranthes bryophora is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Micranthes.
What habitat does Micranthes bryophora grow in?
Micranthes bryophora grows in Sandy meadows, ledges.
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.