Romanzoffia tracyi
Tracy's mistmaiden
(c) Connor Connolly-Moyls, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Romanzoffia tracyi (Tracy's mistmaiden) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by very short stout pedicels and thick leaves vs long slender pedicels and thin leaves.
Tracy's mistmaiden is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the northern coastal bioregion on rocky ocean bluffs at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white flowers with delicate petals about 6 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 18 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground tubers with soft, hairy stems. Its leaves are thick and rounded, with blades 1 to 3.5 centimeters wide, featuring crenate edges and shallow lobes. The plant produces small oblong fruits 5 to 10 millimeters long, containing 15 or more tiny, honey-combed seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; very short stout pedicels and thick leaves vs long slender pedicels and thin leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky ocean bluffs
Elevation: < 30 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Alameda
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Romanzoffia tracyi blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 tracyi native to California?
Yes. Romanzoffia tracyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Romanzoffia tracyi bloom?
Romanzoffia tracyi blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Romanzoffia tracyi grow?
Romanzoffia tracyi occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Alameda, at elevations of < 30 m.
What plant family does Romanzoffia tracyi belong to?
Romanzoffia tracyi is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Romanzoffia.
Is Romanzoffia tracyi rare or endangered?
Romanzoffia tracyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.