Taxon Report

Sabulina howellii (S. Watson) Dillenb. & Kadereit

Howell's sandwort

Print Report


©2015 John Doyen

Taxon Summary

Sabulina howellii, commonly known as Howell's sandwort, is a perennial herb in the Caryophyllaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Chaparral, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 550 to 1000 meters. Sabulina howellii is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Sabulina howellii (S. Watson) Dillenb. & Kadereit
Common Name:
Howell's sandwort
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Element Code: PDCAR0G0F0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Arenaria howellii Wats.
  • Minuartia howellii

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul Apr-Jul
Elevation: 550-1000 (1805-3280)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Serpentine
Microhabitat Details: xeric

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 24
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 23
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Del Norte (DNT), Siskiyou (SIS)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Broken Rib Mtn. (4112386), Gasquet (4112378), High Divide (4112481), High Plateau Mtn. (4112388), Hiouchi (4112471), Indian Creek Baldy (4112267), Shelly Creek Ridge (4112387), Smith River (4112482)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 8 %
Foot traffic/trampling 1 4%
Mining 1 4%
Other 1 4%

Selected References

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 20:354 (1885)
Taxon 63(1):64-88 (2014)
Sabulina howellii profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2018)
USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].