Parietaria hespera var. californica
California pellitory
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Family: Urticaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Parietaria hespera var. californica (California pellitory) is a native California herb in the Urticaceae family, recognized by annual habit, leaf shape, and flower orientation.
California pellitory is a California native annual found in central Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, southern California Coast, Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges in rocky slopes, canyons, coastal scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations of 30 to 1,220 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces small green to light red-brown flowers with spreading calyx lobes. Growing with delicate stems that spread or ascend, reaching heights of 10 to 30 centimeters. Its leaves are distinctive, with round to ovate blades on older stems that are typically as wide as they are long. The plant thrives in rocky environments, often nestling among boulders and adapting to various coastal and inland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are annual habit, leaf shape, and flower orientation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, canyons, among boulders, in coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: 30-1220 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Orange, San Diego, Monterey, Riverside, Fresno, Kern, San Benito, Stanislaus, Contra Costa
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Parietaria hespera var. californica blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Stellaria: Parietaria has alternate leaves in nettle-family clusters; Stellaria has opposite leaves with chickweed flowers.; vs Mirabilis: Parietaria has tiny nettle flowers in small clusters; Mirabilis has showy trumpet-like flowers.; vs Acalypha: Parietaria has smooth leaf edges; Acalypha has toothed leaves and spike-like flower clusters.; vs Euphorbia: Parietaria has simple flowers in small clusters; Euphorbia has milky sap and unique cyathia.; vs Sairocarpus: Parietaria has tiny green nettle flowers; Sairocarpus has snapdragon-like flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parietaria hespera var. californica native to California?
Yes. Parietaria hespera var. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Parietaria hespera var. californica bloom?
Parietaria hespera var. californica blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Parietaria hespera var. californica grow?
Parietaria hespera var. californica occurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Orange, San Diego, Monterey, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 30-1220 m.
What plant family does Parietaria hespera var. californica belong to?
Parietaria hespera var. californica is in the Urticaceae family, genus Parietaria.
What habitat does Parietaria hespera var. californica grow in?
Parietaria hespera var. californica grows in Rocky slopes, canyons, among boulders, in coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland.
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.