Acanthoscyphus parishii
Flowery puncturebract, Flowery Puncturebract
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acanthoscyphus parishii (Flowery puncturebract) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Only *Acanthoscyphus* in CA (0 true congeners); involucre teeth drawn out into awns.
Flowery puncturebract is a California native annual found in desert regions, typically growing at moderate elevations. Flowering from July to September, this delicate plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in small clusters, with each flower measuring about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with erect, glabrous stems, the plant features basal leaves 1 to 7 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide. Its distinctive involucre has 7 to 30 teeth with ivory or reddish awns 2 to 5 millimeters long, creating an intricate botanical structure. The fruit is elliptic, brown to maroon, and approximately 1.7 to 2 millimeters long with a curved embryo.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only *Acanthoscyphus* in CA (0 true congeners); involucre teeth drawn out into awns
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Acanthoscyphus has many-awned involucres (7-30+); Eriogonum has awnless involucres.; vs Sidotheca: Acanthoscyphus has entire petals and 7-30+ awns; Sidotheca has fringed petals and 5-6 awns.; vs Oxytheca: Acanthoscyphus has 7-30+ awns per involucre; Oxytheca has only 3-5 awns.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acanthoscyphus parishii native to California?
Yes. Acanthoscyphus parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Acanthoscyphus parishii grow?
Acanthoscyphus parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles.
What plant family does Acanthoscyphus parishii belong to?
Acanthoscyphus parishii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Acanthoscyphus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.