Rotala ramosior
Lowland rotala
(c) Nolan Exe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lythraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Rotala ramosior (Lowland rotala) is a native California herb in the Lythraceae family, recognized by (R. indica). Key differences: hypanthium size, sepal shape, native status, broader distribution.
Lowland rotala is a native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges, North Coast Riparian, Cascade Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Central Valley in lake and pond margins, streams at elevations below 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers arising singly in leaf axils. Growing with slender stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads in branching patterns across wet habitats. Its small leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem, creating a fine, intricate texture. The tiny flowers feature broadly triangular sepals and generally four stamens nestled within a small hypanthium.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (R. indica). Key differences: hypanthium size, sepal shape, native status, broader distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Lake and pond margins, streams
Elevation: < 1900 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Butte, Sutter, Solano, Plumas, Yuba, Tehama, Lassen, Siskiyou, Nevada, Sonoma, Napa, Fresno, Colusa, Lake, Merced, Sierra, San Joaquin, Ventura, Mariposa
Outside California: to Washington, eastern United States, South America
Bloom period
Rotala ramosior blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Punica: Rotala has tiny bell-shaped flowers on wetland herbs; Punica has massive leathery flowers on woody shrubs.; vs Lythrum: Rotala has bell-shaped flower tubes and solitary axillary flowers; Lythrum has narrow cylindrical tubes in spike-like clusters.; vs Ammannia: Rotala has leaves tapering smoothly to base; Ammannia has distinctive ear-like lobes at leaf base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rotala ramosior native to California?
Yes. Rotala ramosior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rotala ramosior bloom?
Rotala ramosior blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Rotala ramosior grow?
Rotala ramosior occurs in Tuolumne, Butte, Sutter, Solano, Plumas, Yuba, Tehama, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of < 1900 m.
What plant family does Rotala ramosior belong to?
Rotala ramosior is in the Lythraceae family, genus Rotala.
What habitat does Rotala ramosior grow in?
Rotala ramosior grows in Lake and pond margins, streams.
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.