Rumex paucifolius
Alpine sheep sorrel
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Rumex paucifolius (Alpine sheep sorrel) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . High elevation habitat and lack of tubercles distinctive.
Alpine sheep sorrel is a California native perennial found in the high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and White and Inyo Mountains in moist places at elevations of 1,500 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small greenish-brown flowers in open, branched terminal clusters. Growing with erect to ascending slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms dense tufts with underground stolons and a vertical taproot. Its leaves are wide or lance-ovate, 3 to 7 centimeters long with entire margins, tapering at the base and ending in an obtuse to slightly acute tip. The plant produces small brown fruits approximately 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species. High elevation habitat and lack of tubercles distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places
Elevation: 1500-4000 m
California counties: Sonoma, Mono, Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, El Dorado, Plumas, Humboldt, Lassen, Mariposa, Madera, Tuolumne, Modoc, Alpine, Amador, Del Norte, Nevada, Sierra, Placer
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Utah
Bloom period
Rumex paucifolius blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Anemopsis: Rumex has dense flower clusters; Anemopsis has a single white cone-like flower head.; vs Amaranthus: Rumex has papery three-winged fruits; Amaranthus has small round seeds with papery covers.; vs Plantago: Rumex has branching flower clusters; Plantago has flowers in dense cylindrical spikes.; vs Eriogonum: Rumex has large broad leaves; Eriogonum typically has small basal leaf rosettes or mats.; vs Limonium: Rumex has green to reddish flower clusters; Limonium has papery purple or pink flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rumex paucifolius native to California?
Yes. Rumex paucifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rumex paucifolius bloom?
Rumex paucifolius blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Rumex paucifolius grow?
Rumex paucifolius occurs in Sonoma, Mono, Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, El Dorado, Plumas, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of 1500-4000 m.
What plant family does Rumex paucifolius belong to?
Rumex paucifolius is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex paucifolius grow in?
Rumex paucifolius grows in Moist places.
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.