Tiarella trifoliata
Lace flower, Lace Flower
(c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Tiarella trifoliata (Lace flower) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family.
Lace flower is a California native perennial found in forest and woodland habitats. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers in small, densely clustered inflorescences with prominent glandular hairs. Growing 15 to 40 centimeters tall with slender stems, it develops distinctive compound leaves with three leaflets. Its basal leaves have small stipules less than one centimeter long, with petioles noticeably longer than the leaf blades. The individual flower petals are small, measuring 3 to 4 millimeters long, creating intricate lace-like clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated species with no sympatric congeners
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt
How to tell it apart
vs Heuchera: Tiarella has white petals and a loose panicle; Heuchera has tiny greenish-pink petals and bell-shaped flowers.; vs Tellima: Tiarella petals are entire (smooth-edged); Tellima petals are deeply fringed into 5-7 narrow segments.; vs Vancouveria: Tiarella has simple flowers in clusters; Vancouveria has compound leaves with leaflets and nodding columbine-like flowers.; vs Boykinia: Tiarella has unequal fruit valves; Boykinia has equal fruit valves and saucer-shaped flowers.; vs Rubus: Tiarella has tiny white flowers in spikes; Rubus has larger rose-like flowers and compound leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tiarella trifoliata native to California?
Yes. Tiarella trifoliata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Tiarella trifoliata grow?
Tiarella trifoliata occurs in Humboldt.
What plant family does Tiarella trifoliata belong to?
Tiarella trifoliata is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Tiarella.
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.