Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum
Wiry snapdragon
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum (Wiry snapdragon) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by curved throat and forward-thrusting lip lobes.
Wiry snapdragon is a California native annual found in rocky or disturbed areas, typically growing at moderate elevations. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces lavender flowers with darker veining, the blossoms curved upward with conspicuous lower lip lobes that thrust forward. Growing with erect but weak stems that often cling to other plants or surrounding debris, it reaches heights of 10 to 40 centimeters. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate, measuring 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, with obtuse to rounded tips and occasionally variable petiole lengths. The fruit is small, 4 to 8 millimeters long, and uniquely dehiscent through three pores at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are curved throat and forward-thrusting lip lobes
Habitat and range
California counties: Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Tuolumne, Contra Costa, Napa, San Diego, Alameda, San Bernardino, Tehama, Santa Clara, Yolo, Colusa, Siskiyou, Glenn, San Benito
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 vexillocalyculatum native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum grow?
Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum occurs in Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Tuolumne, Contra Costa, Napa and other counties.
What plant family does Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum belong to?
Antirrhinum vexillocalyculatum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
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.