Mitellastra caulescens
Leafy-stemmed mitrewort
(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Mitellastra caulescens (Leafy-stemmed mitrewort) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by Northwestern endemic representing a distinct genus recently segregated from Mitella.
Leafy-stemmed mitrewort is a California native perennial with a rank of 4.2, found in northwestern California (excluding North Coast Ranges Interior) in wet shaded areas at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow-green flowers with 4 to 7 linear lobes arranged in small, delicate blooming clusters. Growing 15 to 45 centimeters tall with a scaly rhizome and slender stems, it develops both basal and cauline leaves. Its rounded leaves are 2 to 7 centimeters wide with 3 to 7 sharp-toothed lobes, creating a distinctive delicate foliage. The plant produces a capsule fruit that becomes widely dehiscent, forming an unusual splash cup that helps disperse its many shiny red-brown to black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Northwestern endemic representing a distinct genus recently segregated from Mitella
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet shaded areas
Elevation: < 1700 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
Bloom period
Mitellastra caulescens blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Mitella: Mitellastra has fringed petals and blooms top-to-bottom; Mitella has smooth petals and blooms bottom-to-top; vs Bolandra: Mitellastra has fringed petals split into narrow lobes; Bolandra has smooth, uncut petals; vs Heuchera: Mitellastra has fringed fan-like petals in a spike; Heuchera has smooth petals in branched clusters; vs Pectiantia: Mitellastra has stem leaves and blooms top-to-bottom; Pectiantia lacks stem leaves and blooms bottom-to-top; vs Ozomelis: Mitellastra's petals split into many narrow segments; Ozomelis petals have 3 broader triangular lobes
Frequently asked questions
Is Mitellastra caulescens native to California?
Yes. Mitellastra caulescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mitellastra caulescens bloom?
Mitellastra caulescens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Mitellastra caulescens grow?
Mitellastra caulescens occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou, at elevations of < 1700 m.
What plant family does Mitellastra caulescens belong to?
Mitellastra caulescens is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Mitellastra.
Is Mitellastra caulescens rare or endangered?
Mitellastra caulescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.