Limnanthes douglasii ssp. nivea, White Seafoam

A delicately pretty and important addition to our selection of meadowfoam, which we offer in yellow and white, (Limnanthes douglasii) all yellow, (Limnanthes douglasii var. sulphurea), and now,  with white seafoam, Limnanthes douglasii var. nivea, in all white.

White seafoam grows abundantly in wet years near vernal ponds, seasonal wetlands, and along seeps and creeks. It is very garden-adaptable and, like most Limnanthes, does beautifully in containers. This seed is originally from our inland Mendocino field station, where we have a vernal pool in the woods. It also grows near springs and at the head of a creek where it stays wet into the summer. 

Other species growing with it were: Camassia quamash, small camas, creek monkeyflower, Kellogg's yampa, and a rare and endangered grass called hairy semaphore grass, Pleuropogon hooverianus. Seafoam is found in Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. Pollinated by native bees, such as the Panurginus occidentalis. It grows in part-shade or full sun.