Antirrhinum confertiflorum
Ghost flower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antirrhinum confertiflorum (Ghost flower) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by largest flowers in desert and only 2 functional stamens.
Ghost flower is a California native annual found in desert region of California (excluding Inyo County) on gravelly or sandy desert slopes and washes at elevations below 1,250 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with intricate purple-dotted lips and a distinctive maroon and yellow blotch on the lower lip. Growing with erect, self-supporting stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall that are glandular-hairy throughout, it has a delicate and slender appearance. Its leaves are 20 to 65 millimeters long, ranging from linear to lanceolate or ovate with acute tips. The fragile fruit is obliquely ovoid and 10 to 12 millimeters long, containing small flat seeds with an incurved, cup-shaped wing.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are largest flowers in desert and only 2 functional stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or sandy desert slopes, washes
Elevation: < 1250 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Inyo, Kern
Outside California: southern Nevada, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Antirrhinum confertiflorum blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Linaria: Antirrhinum has a bulging sac at flower base; Linaria has a long backward-pointing spur.; vs Sairocarpus: Antirrhinum has hairy plants with twining flower stalks; Sairocarpus is glabrous with straight stalks.; vs Penstemon: Antirrhinum has closed snapdragon mouth with 4 stamens; Penstemon has open throat with 5 stamens (one sterile).; vs Salvia: Antirrhinum has 4 stamens hidden inside; Salvia has 2 stamens arching out of hooded upper lip.; vs Rosa: Antirrhinum has tubular two-lipped flowers; Rosa has flat open flowers with 5 separate petals and thorny stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antirrhinum confertiflorum native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum confertiflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antirrhinum confertiflorum bloom?
Antirrhinum confertiflorum blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Antirrhinum confertiflorum grow?
Antirrhinum confertiflorum occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Inyo, Kern, at elevations of < 1250 m.
What plant family does Antirrhinum confertiflorum belong to?
Antirrhinum confertiflorum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
What habitat does Antirrhinum confertiflorum grow in?
Antirrhinum confertiflorum grows in Gravelly or sandy desert slopes, washes.
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.