Montia linearis
Linear leaved montia
(c) Gail A Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gail A Baker · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Montia linearis (Linear leaved montia) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by tall erect habit, much-branched form, long linear leaves, terminal flower clusters.
Linear leaved montia is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in moist grasslands, scrub, open woodland, and fields at elevations below 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers in small terminal clusters with 3 to 14 blossoms. Growing with erect, much-branched stems 4 to 25 centimeters tall, it has a slender and delicate structure. Its alternate leaves are linear, ranging from 10 to 100 millimeters long, providing a sparse and elongated foliage characteristic. The tiny fruit measures 3 to 4 millimeters long, containing smooth seeds with no distinct appendage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by tall erect habit, much-branched form, long linear leaves, terminal flower clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist grassland, scrub, open woodland, fields
Elevation: < 2300 m
California counties: Lassen, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Fresno, Alpine, Plumas, Siskiyou, Inyo, San Diego, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lake, Modoc, Nevada, Shasta, Trinity, Sierra, Tulare, Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Placer, Sonoma, Tehama
Outside California: western North America, alien in eastern United States, Europe
Bloom period
Montia linearis blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Claytonia: Montia has multiple alternate stem leaves and one-sided flowers; Claytonia has exactly 2 opposite or fused stem leaves.; vs Lewisia: Montia has thin stems with alternate leaves in wet areas; Lewisia forms tight succulent rosettes on rocks.; vs Hesperochiron: Montia has small clustered flowers on stems; Hesperochiron has large solitary flowers from basal rosettes.; vs Galium: Montia has alternate succulent leaves and white flowers; Galium has whorled thin leaves and square stems.; vs Cistanthe: Montia has white/pink flowers with multiple stem leaves; Cistanthe has 5 petals with yellow anthers only on coast.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montia linearis native to California?
Yes. Montia linearis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Montia linearis bloom?
Montia linearis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Montia linearis grow?
Montia linearis occurs in Lassen, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Fresno, Alpine, Plumas, Siskiyou, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 2300 m.
What plant family does Montia linearis belong to?
Montia linearis is in the Montiaceae family, genus Montia.
What habitat does Montia linearis grow in?
Montia linearis grows in Moist grassland, scrub, open woodland, fields.
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.