Taxon Report

Lysimachia europaea (L.) U. Manns & Anderb.

arctic starflower

Print Report


©2017 Barry Rice

Taxon Summary

Lysimachia europaea, commonly known as arctic starflower, is a perennial herb in the Myrsinaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 0 to 15 meters. Lysimachia europaea is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Lysimachia europaea (L.) U. Manns & Anderb.
Common Name:
 arctic starflower
Family: Myrsinaceae
Element Code: PDPRI0A020
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Trientalis arctica
  • Trientalis europaea L.

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul Jun-Jul
Elevation: 0-15 (0-50)
General Habitats: Bogs and fens, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details: Coastal

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 1
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Del Norte (DNT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Crescent City (4112472), Sister Rocks (4112462)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 5
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
4 100 %
Foot traffic/trampling 3 75%
Grazing 2 50%
ORV activity 2 50%
Other 2 50%
Development 1 25%

Notes
Threatened by cattle grazing and trampling. Sensitive in ID. See Leaflets of Western Botany 10:333 (1966) for first CA records, and Willdenowia 39:49-54 (2009) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 5 November 2025].