Antirrhinum cornutum
Spurred snapdragon
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antirrhinum cornutum (Spurred snapdragon) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by small flower size, short pedicels, and dense cylindric hairs.
Spurred snapdragon is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, western Cascades, and northern Sacramento Valley in dry stream margins and disturbed areas, often on serpentine, at elevations below 1,220 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with violet veins, the corolla 9 to 11 millimeters long with a swollen lower lip covered in dense cylindrical hairs. Growing with erect, self-supporting stems 6 to 40 centimeters tall and glandular-hairy throughout, it has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are linear to oblanceolate, 7 to 43 millimeters long, with petioles up to 12 millimeters and obtuse to rounded tips. The fruit is 5 to 6 millimeters long with unequal chambers, the upper chamber remaining indehiscent.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are small flower size, short pedicels, and dense cylindric hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Dry stream margins, disturbed areas, often on serpentine
Elevation: < 1220 m
California counties: Mendocino, Butte, Shasta, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Tehama, Trinity, Nevada, Glenn, Siskiyou, Fresno, Plumas, Colusa, Sacramento
Bloom period
Antirrhinum cornutum blooms Jun-Aug.
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 cornutum native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum cornutum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antirrhinum cornutum bloom?
Antirrhinum cornutum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Antirrhinum cornutum grow?
Antirrhinum cornutum occurs in Mendocino, Butte, Shasta, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Tehama, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of < 1220 m.
What plant family does Antirrhinum cornutum belong to?
Antirrhinum cornutum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
What habitat does Antirrhinum cornutum grow in?
Antirrhinum cornutum grows in Uncommon. Dry stream margins, disturbed areas, often on serpentine.
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.