Micranthes marshallii
Marshall's saxifrage
(c) Gail A Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gail A Baker · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Micranthes marshallii (Marshall's saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by coastal/KR distribution, inflated filaments, ephemeral spotted petals.
Marshall's saxifrage is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California, the Klamath Ranges, and northern coastal interior ranges on mossy rocks and cliffs at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small white to pale flowers with distinctive two-spotted petals 2.5 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a caudex that can produce slender rhizomes. Its leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long with ovate to elliptic blades featuring coarse, sharp to rounded teeth and petioles 3 to 10 centimeters long. The plant produces an open inflorescence with reflexed sepals and two distinctive seed follicles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; coastal/KR distribution, inflated filaments, ephemeral spotted petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mossy rocks, cliffs
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Micranthes marshallii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 marshallii native to California?
Yes. Micranthes marshallii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micranthes marshallii bloom?
Micranthes marshallii blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Micranthes marshallii belong to?
Micranthes marshallii is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Micranthes.
Is Micranthes marshallii rare or endangered?
Micranthes marshallii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Micranthes marshallii grow in?
Micranthes marshallii grows in Mossy rocks, cliffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.