Douglas Meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii)

Limnanthes douglasii is a species of flowering plant in the meadowfoam family commonly known as poached egg plant and Douglas' meadowfoam. It is native to California and Oregon, where it grows in wet, grassy habitat, such as vernal pools and spring meadows. It can grow in poorly drained clay soils. The plant was collected by the Scottish explorer and botanist David Douglas, who worked on the west coast of America in the 1820s. The plant usually bears white flowers with yellow centers, hence the name "poached egg plant", but flower color can vary across subspecies. It is a popular ornamental plant. It attracts hoverflies to the garden to beat the aphids and is well loved by bees. It is self-seeding, and gardeners are often careful as to where the seeds fall as it will quite happily grow in a lawn. Description from Calscape.

Growers: Larner Seeds

Other Names Used: Common Meadowfoam

Family: Limnanthaceae

Life Cycle: Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Spring, Summer (March to July)

Bloom Color(s): Cream, Yellow, White

Plant Height: 2 feet tall

Plant Width: 8 inches wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast

Ecological Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife
  

Ecological Functions:

• Groundcover

Habitat Type:

• Valley Grassland
• Northern Coastal Scrub
• Foothill Woodland 
• Wetland
• Riparian

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None