Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis
Nuttall sandwort
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis (Nuttall sandwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and sepal rib characteristics are key.
Nuttall sandwort is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, High Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, and eastern Sierra Nevada in loose talus, sandy flats, gravelly areas, and barren rock at elevations of 2,600 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this delicate plant produces white flowers with petals slightly shorter than the sepals. Growing with slender stems that form loose clusters, it spreads across rocky alpine terrain. Its leaves are distinctively straight or slightly curved, creating a subtle, graceful profile across exposed mountain landscapes. The plant's compact structure allows it to thrive in harsh, high-elevation environments with minimal soil and extreme conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and sepal rib characteristics are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose talus, sandy flats, gravelly areas, barren rock
Elevation: 2600-3800 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Mono, San Bernardino, Tulare, Alpine, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Nevada, Riverside, Trinity, Tuolumne, Modoc, Shasta, Amador
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis blooms Jul-Aug.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis native to California?
Yes. Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis bloom?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis grow?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Mono, San Bernardino, Tulare, Alpine, El Dorado, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 2600-3800 m.
What plant family does Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis belong to?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Sabulina.
What habitat does Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis grow in?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gracilis grows in Loose talus, sandy flats, gravelly areas, barren rock.
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.