Polycarpon tetraphyllum
(c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Polycarpon tetraphyllum is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family.
Four-leaved nailwort is a California native annual found in coastal and central California grasslands and disturbed areas at low elevations. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces tiny white flowers less than one millimeter long in small clusters. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 1 to 6 centimeters tall, it forms dense, matted tufts across the ground. Its opposite leaves appear whorled, with succulent oblanceolate or broadly ovate blades 3 to 12 millimeters long and white scarious stipules. The plant produces small brown seeds that are obliquely triangular and finely granular in texture.
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 tetraphyllum native to California?
Yes. Polycarpon tetraphyllum is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Polycarpon tetraphyllum belong to?
Polycarpon tetraphyllum is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Polycarpon.
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.