Prosartes parvifolia
Siskiyou bells
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Prosartes parvifolia (Siskiyou bells) is a native California perennial in the Liliaceae family, recognized by unique glandular pubescence and smaller flower size.
Siskiyou bells is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Siskiyou Mountains in montane conifer and mixed-evergreen forest at elevations of 600 to 1,525 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bell-shaped white to cream-colored flowers 8 to 10 millimeters long, hanging individually or in small clusters of up to 4 blooms. Growing with slender stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall that are distinctively glandular-hairy, it forms an elegant woodland understory plant. Its leaves are 1.5 to 5.5 centimeters long, with both surfaces and margins covered in delicate glandular hairs, giving the foliage a soft, textured appearance. The fruit develops as an orange to orange-red spherical structure 10 to 13 millimeters long, typically containing two seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; unique glandular pubescence and smaller flower size are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane conifer, mixed-evergreen forest, exposed roadsides
Elevation: 600-1525 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Prosartes parvifolia blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Maianthemum: Prosartes has large bell-shaped flowers in small clusters; Maianthemum has many tiny 4-parted flowers in dense clusters.; vs Streptopus: Prosartes has terminal flower clusters on straight stalks; Streptopus has single axillary flowers on kinked stalks.; vs Polygonatum: Prosartes flowers hang in terminal clusters; Polygonatum flowers hang individually from leaf axils along the stem.; vs Disporum: Prosartes and Disporum are extremely similar - check technical floral characters or rely on range.; vs Cornus: Prosartes has bell flowers and parallel-veined leaves; Cornus has small flowers in clusters and net-veined leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prosartes parvifolia native to California?
Yes. Prosartes parvifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Prosartes parvifolia bloom?
Prosartes parvifolia blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Prosartes parvifolia belong to?
Prosartes parvifolia is in the Liliaceae family, genus Prosartes.
Is Prosartes parvifolia rare or endangered?
Prosartes parvifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Prosartes parvifolia grow in?
Prosartes parvifolia grows in Montane conifer, mixed-evergreen forest, exposed roadsides.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.