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Plant · P-736
Meadowfoam
Limnanthes alba
Meadowfoam is a low annual herb native to wet meadows and vernal pools in California and Oregon, grown almost entirely for the oil pressed from its seed. That oil is exceptionally stable and stands in for sperm whale oil and jojoba in cosmetics, waxes and lubricants. Its white flowers, aging to lilac-purple and pink, open from February through April and draw strong bee and hoverfly activity. It needs a cool, wet winter-growing season and will not tolerate drought or summer heat.
Record at a glance
Growing profile
- Sun
- Full Sun
- USDA zone
- USDA 6
- Soil
- Sand · Loam · Clay
- Moisture
- Moist · Wet
Vertical layer
Herbaceous- Soil pH
- 5.6–6
- Plant type
- Annual
- Mature height
- 8–18 in
- Mature spread
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The deeper layer