Romanzoffia californica
California mistmaiden
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Romanzoffia californica (California mistmaiden) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by key differences are tubers vs bulb-like base and pedicel length.
California mistmaiden is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, northern central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in ocean bluffs, roadbanks, wet cliffs, and moist rocky areas at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers in delicate funnel-shaped clusters 6 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with tuber-based stems and slender pedicels, it develops from underground tubers with delicate branching. Its leaves are thin and succulent, with rounded heart-shaped blades 8 to 45 millimeters wide, featuring crenate edges and shallow 5 to 9 lobes. The fruit is an oblong cylindrical structure 6 to 10 millimeters long, containing 15 or more small ellipsoid seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key differences are tubers vs bulb-like base and pedicel length
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ocean bluffs, roadbanks, wet cliffs, moist rocky areas
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Humboldt, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Trinity, San Francisco, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Alameda
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Romanzoffia californica blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Kumlienia: Romanzoffia has kidney-shaped leaves and grows in wet rocks; Kumlienia has narrow linear leaves in dry rocky areas.; vs Micranthes: Romanzoffia has kidney-shaped leaves in a basal rosette; Micranthes has more oval or rounded leaves with toothed edges.; vs Chaenostoma: Romanzoffia has rounded kidney-shaped leaves; Chaenostoma has small narrow opposite leaves along upright stems.; vs Saxifraga: Romanzoffia forms loose rosettes in wet habitats; Saxifraga forms tighter cushions often in drier rocky areas.; vs Eucrypta: Romanzoffia has simple kidney-shaped leaves; Eucrypta has finely divided fern-like leaves and very sticky herbage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Romanzoffia californica native to California?
Yes. Romanzoffia californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Romanzoffia californica bloom?
Romanzoffia californica blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Romanzoffia californica grow?
Romanzoffia californica occurs in Humboldt, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Trinity, San Francisco and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Romanzoffia californica belong to?
Romanzoffia californica is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Romanzoffia.
What habitat does Romanzoffia californica grow in?
Romanzoffia californica grows in Ocean bluffs, roadbanks, wet cliffs, moist rocky areas.
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.