Micranthes oregana
Bog saxifrage
(c) Don Boucher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micranthes oregana (Bog saxifrage) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by much larger size, wetland habitat, and linear leaves diagnostic.
Bog saxifrage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and North Coast Mountains in bogs, marshes, and lake margins at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in dense clusters with petals 2 to 4 millimeters long. Growing with sturdy stems 25 to 125 centimeters tall and a thick, fleshy caudex over 15 centimeters long, it forms robust clumps in wet habitats. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging from 7 to 25 centimeters long, with blades that are linear to oblanceolate, tapering at the base and sometimes bearing sharp teeth. The plant produces two follicles as fruit, reflecting its adaptation to moist, cool mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; much larger size, wetland habitat, and linear leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bogs, marshes, lake margins
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Tulare, Modoc, Fresno, Amador, El Dorado, Humboldt, Inyo, Lassen, Madera, Shasta, Tuolumne, Alpine, Butte, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Placer
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Micranthes oregana blooms Jun-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 oregana native to California?
Yes. Micranthes oregana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micranthes oregana bloom?
Micranthes oregana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Micranthes oregana grow?
Micranthes oregana occurs in Tulare, Modoc, Fresno, Amador, El Dorado, Humboldt, Inyo, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Micranthes oregana belong to?
Micranthes oregana is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Micranthes.
What habitat does Micranthes oregana grow in?
Micranthes oregana grows in Bogs, marshes, lake margins.
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.