Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Damasonium californicum is a species of perennial wildflower in the water plantain family which is known by the common name Fringed Water-plantain, or Star Water-plantain. This is a plant of wet environments in the western United States from Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California, Montana, Washington State. Damasonium californicum is a resident of ponds, riversides, and vernal pools. This is a tough-stemmed plant which may live submersed in water or erect on mud or moist soils. It has long, narrow leaves consisting of a thin blade at the end of a long petiole. The inflorescence yields a flower at the end of each of several long peduncles. The flower has three white or pink petals, each with toothed or fringed ends and sometimes a yellow spot at the base. At the center are six short stamens. After the flower withers the fruits develop into flat, beaked achenes, several achenes gathered into a star-shaped bunch.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

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Color

White, Pink, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, Valley Grassland, Wetland-Riparian