Neviusia cliftonii
Shasta snow-wreath
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Neviusia cliftonii (Shasta snow-wreath) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by Remarkable geographic disjunct - genus otherwise known only from southeastern United States, representing ancient Tertiary relict.
Shasta snow-wreath is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges near Lake Shasta on shaded, north-facing slopes at elevations of 300 to 600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small clusters of 3 to 5 blooms. Growing 1.5 to 2.5 meters tall with slender branches, it forms an elegant woodland understory shrub. Its leaves are ovate to heart-shaped, 2 to 6 centimeters long with sharp teeth and sparse stiff hairs, creating a textured green backdrop for its pristine white blossoms. Its small fruits measure 3 to 4 millimeters long, contributing to the plant's subtle woodland charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Remarkable geographic disjunct - genus otherwise known only from southeastern United States, representing ancient Tertiary relict
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded, n-facing slopes
Elevation: 300-600 m
California counties: Shasta
Bloom period
Neviusia cliftonii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Prunus: Neviusia has no petals and toothed sepals; Prunus has conspicuous petals and smooth sepals.; vs Purshia: Neviusia flowers in small 3-5 flower umbels; Purshia has solitary or few flowers at branch tips.; vs Cercocarpus: Neviusia has toothed sepals and about 50 stamens; Cercocarpus has smooth sepals and fewer stamens.; vs Adenostoma: Neviusia has 3-5 flowers per cluster with 50 stamens; Adenostoma has many-flowered panicles with 10-15 stamens.; vs Oemleria: Neviusia has umbel-like clusters of 3-5 flowers; Oemleria has elongated drooping racemes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neviusia cliftonii native to California?
Yes. Neviusia cliftonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Neviusia cliftonii bloom?
Neviusia cliftonii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Neviusia cliftonii grow?
Neviusia cliftonii occurs in Shasta, at elevations of 300-600 m.
What plant family does Neviusia cliftonii belong to?
Neviusia cliftonii is in the Rosaceae family, genus Neviusia.
Is Neviusia cliftonii rare or endangered?
Neviusia cliftonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.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.