Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis
Nuttall sandwort
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis (Nuttall sandwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by habitat and sepal rib pattern.
Nuttall sandwort is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin in limestone talus and basins at elevations of 1,650 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with delicate, prominent sepal ribs. Growing with slender stems up to 15 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive recurved growth habit. Its leaves are uniquely curved, with subtle structural adaptations that help the plant survive in harsh, rocky environments. The compact, delicate structure of this sandwort makes it well-suited to its challenging high-elevation limestone habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by habitat and sepal rib pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Basins, limestone talus
Elevation: 1650-2400 m
California counties: Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis blooms May-Jul.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis native to California?
Yes. Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis bloom?
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis grow?
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis occurs in Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, at elevations of 1650-2400 m.
What plant family does Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis belong to?
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Sabulina.
What habitat does Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis grow in?
Sabulina nuttallii var. fragilis grows in Uncommon. Basins, limestone talus.
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.