Antirrhinum filipes
Tangled snapdragon
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Antirrhinum filipes (Tangled snapdragon) is a native California vine in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by thread-like twining pedicels and yellow flowers.
Tangled snapdragon is a California native annual found in the South Coast and Transverse Ranges in washes and shrubby areas at elevations up to 1,650 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate yellow and gold flowers with maroon flecks on the lower lip, approximately 10 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with vine-like, climbing stems 9 to 100 centimeters tall that are woolly at the base, it has a distinctive climbing habit. Its leaves range from 6 to 50 millimeters long, varying from linear to ovate, with upper leaves becoming linear and sessile. The fruit is a small spherical capsule 3 to 5 millimeters long, which bursts irregularly on its sides to release tiny black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are thread-like twining pedicels and yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: On shrubs, debris, generally in washes
Elevation: < 1650 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Antirrhinum filipes blooms Mar-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 filipes native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum filipes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antirrhinum filipes bloom?
Antirrhinum filipes blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Antirrhinum filipes grow?
Antirrhinum filipes occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of < 1650 m.
What plant family does Antirrhinum filipes belong to?
Antirrhinum filipes is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
What habitat does Antirrhinum filipes grow in?
Antirrhinum filipes grows in On shrubs, debris, generally in 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.