Micranthes ferruginea
Rusty hair saxifrage
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micranthes ferruginea (Rusty hair saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by limited to Klamath Ranges, bulblets diagnostic.
Rusty hair saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on wet banks and gravelly areas at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white flowers with yellow spots at the base of three broad petals, creating a delicate and distinctive appearance. Growing with slender stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a thin caudex with short rhizomes and maintains a compact, clustered form. Its leaves are relatively fleshy and obovate, measuring 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, with coarse, sharp-edged teeth that give the plant a distinctive textural quality. The plant's unique flower structure includes three broad, spade-shaped petals and two narrow lanceolate petals, creating an asymmetrical and intriguing botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; limited to Klamath Ranges, bulblets diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet banks, gravel
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Bloom period
Micranthes ferruginea blooms 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 ferruginea native to California?
Yes. Micranthes ferruginea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micranthes ferruginea bloom?
Micranthes ferruginea blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Micranthes ferruginea grow?
Micranthes ferruginea occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Micranthes ferruginea belong to?
Micranthes ferruginea is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Micranthes.
What habitat does Micranthes ferruginea grow in?
Micranthes ferruginea grows in Wet banks, gravel.
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.