Smithiastrum wilkinsianum
Wilkin's harebell
(c) 1995 Dianne Fristrom, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum (Wilkin's harebell) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by . Key differences: height, single flowers, higher elevation, colony formation.
Wilkin's harebell is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Mount Shasta region in subalpine forests, wet meadows, and stream sides at elevations of 1,600 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from June to September, this delicate plant produces blue bell-shaped flowers 12 to 15 millimeters long with recurved lobes that are about half the length of the corolla. Growing in dense colonies with slender stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clumps in alpine and subalpine environments. Its leaves are crowded near the base, measuring 15 to 20 millimeters long with distant teeth and very short petioles less than 1.5 millimeters. The distinctive blue style, curved and extending 15 to 18 millimeters with papillate surfaces, adds to the plant's unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences: height, single flowers, higher elevation, colony formation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine forests, wet meadows, stream sides, on serpentine-peridotite or volcanic and glacial till
Elevation: 1600-2900 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, Plumas
Bloom period
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Smithiastrum wilkinsianum native to California?
Yes. Smithiastrum wilkinsianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Smithiastrum wilkinsianum bloom?
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Smithiastrum wilkinsianum grow?
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, Plumas, at elevations of 1600-2900 m.
What plant family does Smithiastrum wilkinsianum belong to?
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Smithiastrum.
Is Smithiastrum wilkinsianum rare or endangered?
Smithiastrum wilkinsianum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.