About Lithophragma affine A.Gray
Lithophragma affine A.Gray, a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family, has the common names San Francisco woodland star and fringed woodland star. It is native to the western North American coast, ranging from Oregon to Baja California. This species grows in open habitats on mountain slopes, hills, and canyonsides at elevations up to 6,600 feet, or 2,000 meters. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb that grows erect or leaning, producing a tall, leafless flowering stem. Its leaves are found on the lower section of the stem, and each leaf is divided into sharp-pointed lobes. The flowering stem holds up to 15 widely spaced flowers. Each flower sits within a cuplike calyx made of red or green sepals. The flower has five bright white petals that are up to 1.3 centimeters long, with each petal divided into three toothlike lobes at its tip. Its blooming period falls between late January and June, varying by location.
