Polycarpon sp.
Polycarp, Polycarp
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Polycarpon sp. (Polycarp) is a non-native California perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Euphorbia: Polycarpon has separate tiny white flowers; Euphorbia has a cup-like cyathium with milky sap when broken.; vs Stellaria: Polycarpon has spoon-shaped leaves with stalks; Stellaria has stalkless, pointed oval leaves.; vs Portulaca: Polycarpon has thin, flat spoon-shaped leaves; Portulaca has succulent, cylindrical leaves.; vs Soleirolia: Polycarpon has white flowers with visible separate petals; Soleirolia has tiny flowers hidden in leaf axils.; vs Crassula: Polycarpon has thin, flat leaves; Crassula has thick, succulent leaves often in tight rosettes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polycarpon sp. native to California?
No. Polycarpon sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Polycarpon sp. belong to?
Polycarpon sp. is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Polycarpon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.