Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana
Cushenbury oxytheca, Cushenbury oxytheca, Cushenbury oxytheca
Photo: parent species Acanthoscyphus parishii · (c) velodrome, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana (Cushenbury oxytheca) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family.
Cushenbury oxytheca is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern San Bernardino Mountains, specifically in areas like Greenlead Mine, Holcomb Valley, and Cushenbury Canyon in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to September, this delicate plant produces small white flowers with distinctive involucre awns about 2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with slender, branching stems, it forms compact clusters across its sandy habitat. Its leaves are relatively small, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long, with sparse, fine branching that creates a subtle, intricate structure. The plant's involucre features four to five ivory-colored awns, giving it a distinctive texture and appearance in its arid desert environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric varieties; key differentiator is distinctive 4(5) involucre awns vs 7+ in other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 1300-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Bloom period
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 var. goodmaniana native to California?
Yes. Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana bloom?
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana grow?
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1300-2300 m.
What plant family does Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana belong to?
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Acanthoscyphus.
Is Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana rare or endangered?
Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Acanthoscyphus parishii var. parishii — Parish's oxytheca
- Acanthoscyphus sp.
- Acanthoscyphus parishii — Flowery puncturebract
- Acanthoscyphus parishii var. abramsii — Abrams' oxytheca
- Acanthoscyphus parishii var. cienegensis — Cienega seca oxytheca
- Aconogonon davisiae — Davis knotweed
- Aconogonon newberryi — Newberry's smartweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.