Soleirolia soleirolii
Baby's tears
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Family: Urticaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Soleirolia soleirolii (Baby's tears) is a non-native California herb in the Urticaceae family, recognized by Mediterranean introduction that has naturalized in coastal fog belt, distinctive within Urticaceae for lacking stinging hairs.
Baby's tears is a naturalized annual found in coastal California regions including central Coast, San Francisco Bay, southern California, and San Nicolas Island in damp, shaded places at elevations below 215 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces tiny, inconspicuous green flowers in small clusters. Growing with prostrate stems that form dense, low-growing mats typically 2 to 30 centimeters long, it spreads quickly across the ground. Its alternate leaves are small, ranging from 3 to 8 millimeters long, with rounded to oblong shapes that grow obliquely on delicate stems. The plant produces tiny, shiny ovoid achenes enclosed by small winged bractlets, allowing it to spread easily in moist environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Mediterranean introduction that has naturalized in coastal fog belt, distinctive within Urticaceae for lacking stinging hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp, shaded places
Elevation: < 215 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Ventura, Santa Clara, Orange, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, San Diego, Marin, Lake, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Yolo
Outside California: Baja California, native to Corsica, Sardinia
Bloom period
Soleirolia soleirolii blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Stellaria: Soleirolia has round leaves in dense mats; Stellaria has pointed leaves and white star flowers.; vs Polycarpon: Soleirolia has round leaves; Polycarpon has narrow, whorled leaves.; vs Portulacaria: Soleirolia has herbaceous creeping stems; Portulacaria is a succulent shrub with thick leaves.; vs Oxalis: Soleirolia has simple round leaves; Oxalis has clover-like compound leaves.; vs Buxus: Soleirolia is a prostrate herb with tiny leaves; Buxus is a woody shrub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Soleirolia soleirolii native to California?
No. Soleirolia soleirolii is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Soleirolia soleirolii bloom?
Soleirolia soleirolii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Soleirolia soleirolii grow?
Soleirolia soleirolii occurs in Santa Cruz, Ventura, Santa Clara, Orange, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 215 m.
What plant family does Soleirolia soleirolii belong to?
Soleirolia soleirolii is in the Urticaceae family, genus Soleirolia.
What habitat does Soleirolia soleirolii grow in?
Soleirolia soleirolii grows in Damp, shaded places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.