Podistera nevadensis
Sierra podistera, Sierra Podistera
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Podistera nevadensis (Sierra podistera) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by High-elevation Great Basin endemic - specialized for extreme alpine granite environments, sister to Arctic genera.
Sierra podistera is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, and White and Inyo Mountains in unglaciated granitic terrain at elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small yellow flowers in compact clusters with distinctively winged rays. Growing as a dense cushion 2 to 5 centimeters tall and spreading 2 to 5 decimeters in diameter, it forms tight mats in rocky alpine environments. Its leaves feature white scarious-sheathing petioles with finely divided blades, each bearing 1 to 6 narrow linear to lanceolate leaflets. The compact fruit is 4 to 4.5 millimeters long with thread-like ribs and 3 to 4 oil tubes between each rib.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: High-elevation Great Basin endemic - specialized for extreme alpine granite environments, sister to Arctic genera
Habitat and range
Habitat: Unglaciated granitic gravel, scree, crevices
Elevation: 3000-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, El Dorado, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Podistera nevadensis blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Conium: Podistera forms alpine cushions under 6 inches; Conium is a tall weedy plant.; vs Petroselinum: Podistera grows in high Sierra granite; Petroselinum is urban garden escape.; vs Osmorhiza: Podistera is a tiny alpine cushion; Osmorhiza grows to 4 feet in shade.; vs Tauschia: Podistera has white flowers in tight heads; Tauschia has yellow flowers in open umbels.; vs Ligusticum: Podistera restricted to 10,000+ feet alpine; Ligusticum ranges lower in mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Is Podistera nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Podistera nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Podistera nevadensis bloom?
Podistera nevadensis blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Podistera nevadensis grow?
Podistera nevadensis occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, El Dorado, San Bernardino, at elevations of 3000-4000 m.
What plant family does Podistera nevadensis belong to?
Podistera nevadensis is in the Apiaceae family, genus Podistera.
Is Podistera nevadensis rare or endangered?
Podistera nevadensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.