Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis
Thick-stemmed pearlwort, Thick-Stemmed Pearlwort
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis (Thick-stemmed pearlwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by thick fleshy stems/leaves and very low coastal elevation.
Thick-stemmed pearlwort is a California native perennial found in the northern and central coastal regions in sandy bluffs and rock crevices at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from spring to early fall, this plant produces small white flowers with petals approximately three-quarters the length of its sepals. Growing 3 to 18 centimeters tall with spreading to decumbent stems, it forms distinctive sterile basal rosettes with fleshy, widely linear leaves. Its leaves are particularly notable, measuring 7 to 22 millimeters long and appearing thick and succulent. Producing tiny red-brown seeds that are plump and slightly reniform, the plant forms dense, low-growing clusters in coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are thick fleshy stems/leaves and very low coastal elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy bluffs, rock crevices
Elevation: < 30 m
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis blooms Spring-early fall.
How to tell it apart
vs Erigeron: Sagina forms moss-like mats with thread leaves; Erigeron has narrow but broader leaves and daisy-like flowers.; vs Sabulina: Sagina has extremely thread-like leaves forming dense mats; Sabulina has slightly wider, less moss-like leaves.; vs Soliva: Sagina forms green moss-like mats with tiny white flowers; Soliva forms flattened rosettes with no petals.; vs Spergula: Sagina has thread-like leaves in pairs; Spergula has leaves in whorls around the stem.; vs Holosteum: Sagina has tiny scattered flowers in loose clusters; Holosteum has umbrella-shaped flower clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis native to California?
Yes. Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis bloom?
Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis blooms Spring-early fall.
What plant family does Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis belong to?
Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Sagina.
What habitat does Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis grow in?
Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis grows in Sandy bluffs, rock crevices.
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.