Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus
Knawel
Der Michels (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus (Knawel) is a non-native California annual in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by Scleranthus is a European genus with only this naturalized species reaching California.
Knawel is a naturalized annual herb found in northern California's Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Peninsular Ranges in meadows, stream margins, serpentine areas, and disturbed habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces small, inconspicuous green flowers in compact clusters 3 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 4 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a much-branched, rigid structure with fine, recurved hairs along stem lines. Its leaves are 4 to 20 millimeters long with scarious, ciliate sheaths and sharp-pointed tips. The seed is a widely ovoid, tan structure with a distinctive red crescent near its acute tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Scleranthus is a European genus with only this naturalized species reaching California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, stream margins, serpentine areas, disturbed areas
Elevation: 300-1200 m
California counties: San Diego, Calaveras, El Dorado, Colusa, Sacramento, Butte, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Tehama, Shasta, Plumas, Nevada, Lake, Mariposa, Madera, Napa, Humboldt, Del Norte, Fresno, Placer, Riverside, Tuolumne, Trinity, Amador
Outside California: to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, eastern North America, native to Europe
Bloom period
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Paronychia: Scleranthus completely lacks stipules; Paronychia has small stipules at leaf bases.; vs Cardionema: Scleranthus is tiny delicate annual; Cardionema is coastal woolly mat.; vs Herniaria: Scleranthus lacks stipules entirely; Herniaria has tiny stipules present.; vs Achyronychia: Scleranthus has narrow sepals and no stipules; Achyronychia has broad sepals and stipules.; vs Scopulophila: Scleranthus is tiny annual without woolly base; Scopulophila has dense woolly cushion.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus native to California?
No. Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus bloom?
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus blooms All year.
Where in California does Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus grow?
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus occurs in San Diego, Calaveras, El Dorado, Colusa, Sacramento, Butte, Siskiyou, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of 300-1200 m.
What plant family does Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus belong to?
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Scleranthus.
What habitat does Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus grow in?
Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuus grows in Meadows, stream margins, serpentine areas, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.