Stellaria longifolia
Long-leaved starwort
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Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Stellaria longifolia (Long-leaved starwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by linear leaves with papillate margins and lateral inflorescences.
Long-leaved starwort is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and High Cascade Range bioregions in moist areas at elevations around 900 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces white flowers with delicate petals about 1 to 1.2 times the length of its narrow sepals. Growing with sprawling to ascending stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall that are generally glabrous, it has a distinctive white rhizome with slightly rough internodes. Its leaves are evenly spaced, linear to lance-linear, 15 to 35 millimeters long with papillate margins that are flat and sometimes ciliate near the base. The seeds are small, red-brown, and minutely roughened, measuring approximately 0.8 to 0.9 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are linear leaves with papillate margins and lateral inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist areas
Elevation: +- 900 m.
California counties: Shasta, Butte, Plumas, Tehama
Outside California: to Alaska, Arizona, north-central United States, eastern North America, circumboreal
Bloom period
Stellaria longifolia blooms Late spring-summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cerastium: Stellaria has smooth to lightly hairy leaves; Cerastium is densely hairy and grayish-fuzzy throughout.; vs Parietaria: Stellaria has white flowers with visible petals; Parietaria has tiny greenish flowers hidden in leaf clusters.; vs Euphorbia: Stellaria has separate white flowers; Euphorbia has cup-like cyathia with milky sap when stems break.; vs Claytonia: Stellaria has deeply split petals creating star shape; Claytonia has unlobed rounded petals.; vs Polycarpon: Stellaria has stalkless pointed leaves; Polycarpon has spoon-shaped leaves with obvious stalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stellaria longifolia native to California?
Yes. Stellaria longifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stellaria longifolia bloom?
Stellaria longifolia blooms Late spring-summer.
Where in California does Stellaria longifolia grow?
Stellaria longifolia occurs in Shasta, Butte, Plumas, Tehama, at elevations of +- 900 m..
What plant family does Stellaria longifolia belong to?
Stellaria longifolia is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Stellaria.
Is Stellaria longifolia rare or endangered?
Stellaria longifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.