Oxyria digyna
Alpine mountain sorrel
(c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Oxyria digyna (Alpine mountain sorrel) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Circumboreal genus, relict of arctic-alpine flora in California mountains.
Alpine mountain sorrel is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in alpine rock crevices and talus at elevations of 1,800 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small nodding flowers with outer perianth parts spreading 1.2 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with erect reddish stems 0.5 to 5 decimeters tall, it has a thick scaly caudex and fibrous roots. Its primarily basal leaves are fleshy and kidney-shaped, typically 0.5 to 6.5 centimeters wide with translucent fused stipules. The fruit is elliptic, flat, two-winged, and varies from red to pink with visible veining.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumboreal genus, relict of arctic-alpine flora in California mountains
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine rock crevices, talus
Elevation: 1800-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, San Bernardino, Trinity, Siskiyou, Nevada, Modoc, Tulare, Madera, Inyo, Riverside, El Dorado, Alpine, Amador, Placer, Shasta, Sierra, Mariposa, Tehama, Lassen
Outside California: circumboreal
Bloom period
Oxyria digyna blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Rumex: Oxyria has kidney-shaped leaves and 4 flower parts; Rumex has lance-shaped leaves and 6 parts.; vs Bistorta: Oxyria has flattened winged fruits; Bistorta has dense bottlebrush flower spikes and plump seeds.; vs Persicaria: Oxyria is alpine with winged fruits; Persicaria grows in wetlands with spike-like flower clusters.; vs Aconogonon: Oxyria has kidney-shaped basal leaves; Aconogonon has lance-shaped stem leaves and branched stems.; vs Polygonum: Oxyria has 4-part flowers and winged fruits; Polygonum has 5-part flowers and unwinged fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oxyria digyna native to California?
Yes. Oxyria digyna is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oxyria digyna bloom?
Oxyria digyna blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Oxyria digyna grow?
Oxyria digyna occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, San Bernardino, Trinity, Siskiyou, Nevada, Modoc and other counties, at elevations of 1800-4000 m.
What plant family does Oxyria digyna belong to?
Oxyria digyna is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Oxyria.
What habitat does Oxyria digyna grow in?
Oxyria digyna grows in Alpine rock crevices, talus.
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.