Subularia aquatica subsp. americana
Water awlwort, Water Awlwort
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana (Water awlwort) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Sole representative of Subularia in California, specialized for aquatic habitats unlike other Brassicaceae.
Water awlwort is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada in shallow lake margins, streambanks, wet sedge meadows, and muddy flats at elevations of 1,800 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small white flowers approximately 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters long with narrow petals. Growing with delicate stems 1.5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in wet environments. Its leaves are narrowly awl-like, measuring 1 to 7 centimeters in length and tapering to fine points. The fruit is small and obovoid, 2 to 3.5 millimeters long, containing 6 to 12 tiny oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Sole representative of Subularia in California, specialized for aquatic habitats unlike other Brassicaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shallow lake margins, streambanks, wet sedge meadows, muddy flats, salt marshes
Elevation: 1800-3200 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Fresno, Sierra, Nevada, El Dorado, Tulare, Inyo
Outside California: to Alaska, Canada, northeastern United States
Bloom period
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Cardamine: Subularia is aquatic with awl-like basal leaves only; Cardamine is terrestrial with divided leaves on stems.; vs Diplotaxis: Subularia grows submerged in water as a tiny annual; Diplotaxis grows on dry land with yellow flowers.; vs Idahoa: Subularia is aquatic with flowers in clusters on stalks; Idahoa is terrestrial with single flowers from the base.; vs Lunaria: Subularia is a tiny aquatic annual; Lunaria is a robust terrestrial biennial with large silvery pods.; vs Lepidium: Subularia grows underwater with thread-like leaves; Lepidium grows on land with broader leaves and flattened pods.
Frequently asked questions
Is Subularia aquatica subsp. americana native to California?
Yes. Subularia aquatica subsp. americana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Subularia aquatica subsp. americana bloom?
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Subularia aquatica subsp. americana grow?
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana occurs in Tuolumne, Fresno, Sierra, Nevada, El Dorado, Tulare, Inyo, at elevations of 1800-3200 m.
What plant family does Subularia aquatica subsp. americana belong to?
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Subularia.
Is Subularia aquatica subsp. americana rare or endangered?
Subularia aquatica subsp. americana carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.