Moneses uniflora
Woodnymph, Woodnymph
(c) Thierry Arbault, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thierry Arbault · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Moneses uniflora (Woodnymph) is a native California herb in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Circumboreal species with very limited California distribution, requires specialized old-growth forest microhabitats.
Woodnymph is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal California, western Klamath Ranges, northern North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and central Sierra Nevada (Fresno County) in moist, mossy conifer forests at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces waxy-white to pale pink flowers that are nodding and solitary, with spreading petals less than one centimeter long. Growing as a tiny evergreen herb less than 10 centimeters tall, it spreads through rhizome-like roots and forms small, compact clusters. Its leaves are primarily basal, ovate to obovate, with delicate finely crenate edges, measuring up to 3.5 centimeters long and supported by slender petioles. The plant produces an erect capsule fruit that opens from tip to base, with distinctive crown-like stigma lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumboreal species with very limited California distribution, requires specialized old-growth forest microhabitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, mossy conifer forests
Elevation: 100-1000 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte
Outside California: North America, Eurasia, circumboreal
Bloom period
Moneses uniflora blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Chimaphila: Moneses has one flower per stem; Chimaphila has multiple flowers in flat-topped clusters.; vs Orthilia: Moneses has one nodding flower with crown-like stigma; Orthilia has many flowers on one-sided curved stalk.; vs Pyrola: Moneses has one flower per stem with crown stigma; Pyrola has multiple flowers on straight spike.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moneses uniflora native to California?
Yes. Moneses uniflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Moneses uniflora bloom?
Moneses uniflora blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Moneses uniflora grow?
Moneses uniflora occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, at elevations of 100-1000 m.
What plant family does Moneses uniflora belong to?
Moneses uniflora is in the Ericaceae family, genus Moneses.
Is Moneses uniflora rare or endangered?
Moneses uniflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.