Sagina sp.
Pearlwort, Pearlwort
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Sagina sp. (Pearlwort) is a non-native California perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Sagina sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Sagina sp. belong to?
Sagina sp. is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Sagina.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sagina subulata — Scottish moss
- Sagina apetala — Dwarf pearlwort
- Sagina decumbens subsp. occidentalis — Western pearlwort
- Sagina maxima subsp. crassicaulis — Thick-stemmed pearlwort
- Sagina procumbens — Matted pearlwort
- Sagina saginoides — Arctic pearlwort
- Saponaria officinalis — Bouncing bet
- Saponaria sp. — Soapwort
- Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus — Knawel
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.