Veronica californica
Serpentine snow queen
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Veronica californica (Serpentine snow queen) is a native California perennial in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by (S. reniformis); key features are serpentine habitat and acute leaf tips.
Serpentine snow queen is a California native perennial herb found in the Northwestern California and San Francisco Bay Area bioregions in moist forests and on serpentine soils at elevations from 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from February to April, it produces blue flowers up to 9 millimeters long on curved to reclining inflorescences with 5 to 10 flowers. It grows from rhizomes with persistent basal leaves that are widely ovate with lobed to cordate bases.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (S. reniformis); key features are serpentine habitat and acute leaf tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist forest, serpentine
Elevation: 100--1000 m
California counties: Sonoma, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino
Outside California: to Oregon
Bloom period
Veronica californica blooms Feb--Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Lindernia: Lindernia has leaves along the stem; Synthyris has all leaves at ground level with naked flower stalks.; vs Dopatrium: Dopatrium has tiny scale leaves on stems; Synthyris has broad basal leaves with leafless flower stems.; vs Gratiola: Gratiola has leaves arranged along stems; Synthyris keeps all leaves in a basal rosette.; vs Veronica: Veronica has leaves on flowering stems; Synthyris has basal leaves only with naked flower stalks.; vs Proboscidea: Proboscidea has large leaves on branching stems; Synthyris has basal rosettes with upright flower spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veronica californica native to California?
Yes. Veronica californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Veronica californica bloom?
Veronica californica blooms Feb--Apr.
Where in California does Veronica californica grow?
Veronica californica occurs in Sonoma, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, at elevations of 100--1000 m.
What plant family does Veronica californica belong to?
Veronica californica is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Veronica.
What habitat does Veronica californica grow in?
Veronica californica grows in Moist forest, serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.