Native plants for San Mateo County, California
884 native plants recorded in San Mateo County, California
The USDA plant database has 1,546 plants recorded growing wild in San Mateo County. 884 of them are native to the lower 48, and 295 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 567 wildflowers and herbs, 115 grasses and sedges, 59 shrubs, 64 low woody plants, 55 trees, 24 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 168 of them (19%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) and 13 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in San Mateo County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 168 | 0 | 716 |
| Half shade | 131 | 37 | 716 |
| Under trees | 77 | 91 | 716 |
| Heavy clay | 101 | 67 | 716 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 107 | 61 | 716 |
| Never watered | 85 | 83 | 716 |
| Stays soggy | 69 | 99 | 716 |
Sun all day in San Mateo County: 168 rated natives
59 wildflowers and herbs, 40 grasses and sedges, 34 trees, 21 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dwarf rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in San Mateo County: 131 rated natives
44 wildflowers and herbs, 31 grasses and sedges, 28 trees, 16 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Spreading alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Thrift seapink (Armeria maritima) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in San Mateo County: 77 rated natives
23 wildflowers and herbs, 22 grasses and sedges, 15 trees, 11 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spreading alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Thrift seapink (Armeria maritima) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in San Mateo County: 101 rated natives
38 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 16 trees, 9 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Silverweed cinquefoil (Argentina anserina) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in San Mateo County: 107 rated natives
30 wildflowers and herbs, 30 trees, 22 grasses and sedges, 19 shrubs, 3 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in San Mateo County: 85 rated natives
24 grasses and sedges, 22 trees, 16 shrubs, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - White hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - California yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Stays soggy in San Mateo County: 69 rated natives
37 wildflowers and herbs, 17 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 2 low woody plants, 2 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil · toxicity: slight - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives San Mateo County has that most of California does not
18 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- San Mateo thorn-mint (Acanthomintha duttonii): only here
- San Bruno Mountain manzanita (Arctostaphylos imbricata): only here
- Montara manzanita (Arctostaphylos montaraensis): only here
- Pacific manzanita (Arctostaphylos pacifica): only here
- San Mateo woolly sunflower (Eriophyllum latilobum): only here
- Pacific swampfire (Sarcocornia pacifica): only here
- American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata): 2 counties
- Santa Cruz cypress (Hesperocyparis abramsiana): 2 counties
- San Mateo tree lupine (Lupinus eximius): 2 counties
- Santa Cruz manzanita (Arctostaphylos andersonii): 3 counties
Where to start in San Mateo County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where San Mateo County gives you the most rated choice (168 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 69 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 716 unrated natives too.