Tolmiea diplomenziesii
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Tolmiea diplomenziesii is a native California perennial in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to Pacific Northwest, with unique vegetative reproduction strategy.
Tolmiea diplomenziesii is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, northern central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in moist streambank habitats at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate green to brownish flowers in small clusters. Growing with ascending to spreading stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms clumps with somewhat woody bases. Its leaves are broadly ovate, typically 3 to 7 centimeters long, with deeply toothed margins and a soft, slightly hairy texture. The plant's distinctive chromosome configuration of 2n=14 suggests its unique genetic adaptation to moist woodland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to Pacific Northwest, with unique vegetative reproduction strategy
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist streambanks
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Del Norte
Outside California: to central Oregon
Bloom period
Tolmiea diplomenziesii blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Tellima: Tolmiea has 3 stamens; Tellima has 10 stamens; vs Heuchera: Tolmiea has 3 stamens and 4 petals; Heuchera has 5 stamens and 0 or 5 petals; vs Tiarella: Tolmiea has 3 stamens; Tiarella has 10 stamens; vs Bensoniella: Tolmiea has 4 petals and 3 stamens; Bensoniella has 2 recurved petals and 5 stamens; vs Micranthes: Tolmiea has 3 stamens; Micranthes has 10 stamens
Frequently asked questions
Is Tolmiea diplomenziesii native to California?
Yes. Tolmiea diplomenziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tolmiea diplomenziesii bloom?
Tolmiea diplomenziesii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Tolmiea diplomenziesii grow?
Tolmiea diplomenziesii occurs in Santa Cruz, Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Del Norte, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Tolmiea diplomenziesii belong to?
Tolmiea diplomenziesii is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Tolmiea.
What habitat does Tolmiea diplomenziesii grow in?
Tolmiea diplomenziesii grows in Moist streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.