Scientific name
Limnanthes R. Br.
Common names
meadowfoam
Family
Limnanthaceae
Similar genera
Native distribution
western North America
Species cultivated
Limnanthes douglasii R. Br.
Adventive distribution
information not available
Weed status
not weedy
Habit
amphibious, emergent herb
Brief description
Annual in vernal pools. Stems ascending to erect, sparsely to densely branched, glabrous to densely hairy. Leaves mainly basal; petiolate; 1- or 2-pinnate, leaflets 2- to 3-lobed, especially lower ones; leaflet blade linear to ovate; margins entire. Flower axillary, pedicellate, typically cup-shaped to campanulate, white, yellow, or yellow with white tips; sepals (4) 5, lanceolate to ovate, apex acute to acuminate, glabrous or densely villous; petals (4) 5, usually longer than sepals, obovate, apex emarginate to obcordate, jagged, glabrous or with 2 rows of hairs basally, veins hyaline, yellow or purplish, usually with scattered long hairs; stamens 8 or 10; ovary 4 or 5-lobed.
Natural habitat
vernally or permanently wet meadows, springs, bogs, and along streams
Additional comments
Limnanthes contains less than 10 species, although there is some variation among some species. Limnanthes may form dense carpets in seasonally vernal pools, which dry out during the warmer months.
