Antirrhinum leptaleum
Spurred snapdragon
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Antirrhinum leptaleum (Spurred snapdragon) is a native California annual in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by annual habit and lack of woody caudex.
Spurred snapdragon is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, particularly in the Sierra Nevada Forests, inhabiting small washes and disturbed areas at elevations of 200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers with delicate veins, approximately 7 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with erect, self-supporting stems 8 to 60 centimeters tall and covered in glandular hairs, it develops distinctive oblanceolate to ovate leaves 7 to 40 millimeters long with obtuse or truncate tips. Its leaves maintain a consistent size throughout the stem, creating a uniform appearance with subtle glandular hairiness. The fruit is 5 to 8 millimeters long, uniquely dehiscent by two pores at the tip of its lower chamber.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are annual habit and lack of woody caudex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Small washes, disturbed areas
Elevation: 200-2100 m
California counties: Butte, Placer, Mariposa, Fresno, Madera, Tulare, El Dorado, Calaveras, Nevada, Kern
Bloom period
Antirrhinum leptaleum 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 leptaleum native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum leptaleum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antirrhinum leptaleum bloom?
Antirrhinum leptaleum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Antirrhinum leptaleum grow?
Antirrhinum leptaleum occurs in Butte, Placer, Mariposa, Fresno, Madera, Tulare, El Dorado, Calaveras and other counties, at elevations of 200-2100 m.
What plant family does Antirrhinum leptaleum belong to?
Antirrhinum leptaleum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
What habitat does Antirrhinum leptaleum grow in?
Antirrhinum leptaleum grows in Uncommon. Small washes, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.