Reseda alba
White mignonette
(c) froggymum, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Resedaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Reseda alba (White mignonette) is a non-native California herb in the Resedaceae family, recognized by pinnately lobed leaves and equally 3-lobed white petals.
White mignonette is a naturalized perennial herb found in coastal western and southwestern California in disturbed areas, fields, and roadsides at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces white flowers with 5 to 6 petals, each approximately 4.5 to 6 millimeters long and subtly three-lobed. Growing to nearly 1 meter tall with glabrous stems, it develops pinnately lobed leaves with 4 to 11 lobes on each side. Its distinctive leaves feature multiple narrow segments, creating a delicate, finely divided appearance. The plant produces erect fruits with 4 distinct parts, each containing small rough seeds approximately 1.2 to 1.3 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are pinnately lobed leaves and equally 3-lobed white petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Reseda alba blooms May-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Rumex: Reseda has 4-6 petals per flower in dense spikes; Rumex has no petals, just greenish sepals in whorls.; vs Erigeron: Reseda has spike-like clusters of small individual flowers; Erigeron has composite daisy-like flower heads.; vs Ambrosia: Reseda has small flowers with visible petals; Ambrosia has no petals, just green composite flower heads.; vs Verbascum: Reseda flowers are tiny in dense spikes; Verbascum has large 5-petaled flowers in tall racemes.; vs Oligomeris: Reseda has 4-6 petals and 10-25 stamens; Oligomeris has only 2 petals and 3-4 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reseda alba native to California?
No. Reseda alba is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Reseda alba bloom?
Reseda alba blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Reseda alba belong to?
Reseda alba is in the Resedaceae family, genus Reseda.
What habitat does Reseda alba grow in?
Reseda alba grows in Disturbed areas, fields, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.