About Damasonium californicum Torr.
Damasonium californicum, also known by the common names fringed water-plantain and star water-plantain, is a species of perennial wildflower in the water plantain family. It grows in wet environments across the western United States, where it is found in Washington, Oregon, northern California, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana. It occurs naturally in ponds, riversides, and vernal pools. This plant has a tough stem, and can grow either fully submersed in water, or stand erect on muddy or moist soils. Above the water surface, it reaches a height of 20 to 45 centimeters, or 8 to 17 and a half inches. It produces narrow basal leaves: each leaf has a thin blade 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) long, held at the end of a long petiole. Its inflorescence produces one flower at the tip of each of several long peduncles. Each flower has three white or pink petals, with toothed or fringed ends; petals sometimes also have a yellow spot at the base. Six short stamens sit at the center of the flower. After the flower fades, narrow fruits develop into flat, beaked achenes, and several of these achenes are grouped into a star-shaped cluster.
