Lithophragma heterophyllum
hillside woodland star
California Coast Ranges and foothills
Overview
Lithophragma heterophyllum is a small herbaceous perennial in the saxifrage family, growing from a cluster of underground bulblets and rising on slender, often reddish stems 6–20 inches (15–50 cm) tall. The basal leaves are rounded and lobed, 0.4–1.2 inches (1–3 cm) wide, while the few stem leaves are more deeply divided, accounting for the species name meaning different-leaved. The upper stem carries a loose spike of white flowers, each about 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across, with five petals that are cleft into three to five narrow lobes, giving a star-like outline. It grows on grassy slopes, open woodland, and rocky banks in the California Coast Ranges and foothills, flowering in spring while the soil is still moist and going dormant by summer. The plant dies back to its bulblets during the dry season and re-emerges with autumn and winter rains. It depends on a moist spring season and does not persist where summer irrigation keeps the soil wet during dormancy.
Native Range
Lithophragma heterophyllum is native to California, occurring through the Coast Ranges and into the western foothills of the Central Valley, with its range extending into southern Oregon.Suggested Uses
It is used in native plant gardens, woodland edges, and dry-summer meadow plantings. It grows among grasses and other spring wildflowers on slopes that receive no summer water.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'8"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
White flowers open from March to May, opening from the base of the spike upward. Bloom lasts several weeks in moist spring conditions. The plant sets seed and goes dormant by early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green, basal leaves often reddish-tingedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lithophragma heterophyllum grows in partial shade to full sun on moist, well-drained soils during the cool season. It draws on autumn and winter rainfall and needs no summer water, going dormant underground once soils dry. It is grown from bulblets or seed and naturalizes on grassy slopes where summers are dry. It does not tolerate summer irrigation during dormancy, which can rot the bulblets. Established plantings spread slowly by offset bulblets.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The foliage withers naturally after flowering as the plant enters summer dormancy. Spent stems can be cleared once they have dried.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons