Taxon Report

Eriastrum ertterae D. Gowen

Lime Ridge eriastrum

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Eriastrum ertterae, commonly known as Lime Ridge eriastrum, is a annual herb in the Polemoniaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (edges, and openings), growing at elevations from 200 to 290 meters. Eriastrum ertterae is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Eriastrum ertterae D. Gowen
Common Name:	Lime Ridge eriastrum
Family:	Polemoniaceae
Element Code:	PDPLM030F0
USDA Plants Symbol:	ERER3
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul	Jun-Jul
Elevation:	200-290 (655-950)
General Habitats:	Chaparral
Microhabitat:	Alkaline (sometimes), Sandy
Microhabitat Details:	sometimes semi-alkaline

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	CE
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.1 on 2013-12-19

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


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

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Contra Costa (CCA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Clayton (3712188)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	100 %
Foot traffic/trampling	2	100%
Insufficient population/stand size	2	100%
Non-native plant impacts	2	100%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	2	100%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	50%
Other	1	50%

Notes



Known only from the Lime Ridge area. Potentially threatened by recreational activities, electric transmission tower maintenance, and non-native plants. Similar to E. hooveri. See Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 7(1):21-24 (2013) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2013-12-19

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 18 November 2025].