Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria
Nuttall sandwort
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria (Nuttall sandwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by largest petal-to-sepal ratio distinguishes from other varieties.
Nuttall sandwort is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the high Cascade Range, central Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in sandy, rocky slopes, serpentine areas, chaparral, and open Jeffrey-pine woodland at elevations of 650 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces delicate white flowers with petals slightly longer than the sepals. Growing with slender stems that spread or ascend, forming small clusters or mats across rocky terrain. Its leaves are characteristically straight or slightly curved, creating a soft, feathery appearance across rocky slopes. The plant forms compact clusters that gracefully navigate harsh, exposed mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; largest petal-to-sepal ratio distinguishes from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, rocky slopes, ridges, scree, barren rock, serpentine, chaparral, open Jeffrey-pine woodland
Elevation: 650-3200 m
California counties: Trinity, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Tehama, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Colusa, Del Norte, Modoc, El Dorado
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria blooms Spring-summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria native to California?
Yes. Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria bloom?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria blooms Spring-summer.
Where in California does Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria grow?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria occurs in Trinity, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Tehama, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of 650-3200 m.
What plant family does Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria belong to?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Sabulina.
What habitat does Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria grow in?
Sabulina nuttallii var. gregaria grows in Sandy, rocky slopes, ridges, scree, barren rock, serpentine, chaparral, open Jeffrey-pine woodland.
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.