Aphanisma blitoides
Aphanisma, aphanisma, aphanisma
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Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Aphanisma blitoides (Aphanisma) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus restricted to coastal saline habitats in southern California and Baja California - specialized for salt tolerance unlike….
Aphanisma is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern California Coast Ranges, southern California Coast, and Channel Islands in coastal scrub and saline sand habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces small flowers in compact axillary clusters with 1 to 3 blossoms. Growing with fleshy stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, the plant branches from its base and has a distinctive decumbent to erect form. Its leaves are alternate, gradually reducing in size up the stem, with lower leaves sessile and upper leaves cordate-clasping, measuring 2 to 5 centimeters long in an elliptic to ovate shape. The fruit is a small, depressed-spheric structure with a distinctive thickened equatorial margin, containing a single horizontal black seed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus restricted to coastal saline habitats in southern California and Baja California - specialized for salt tolerance unlike other Chenopodiaceae genera
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, bluffs, saline sand
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Aphanisma blitoides blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Atriplex: Aphanisma has heart-shaped leaves that clasp the stem; Atriplex has scaly-surfaced leaves that don't clasp.; vs Rumex: Aphanisma leaves clasp the stem; Rumex has a papery sheath (ocrea) where leaf meets stem.; vs Bassia: Aphanisma has smooth, heart-shaped clasping leaves; Bassia has hairy, non-clasping leaves.; vs Beta: Aphanisma has heart-shaped clasping upper leaves; Beta has larger triangular leaves that don't clasp.; vs Dysphania: Aphanisma has smooth clasping leaves; Dysphania has aromatic, often glandular-hairy leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aphanisma blitoides native to California?
Yes. Aphanisma blitoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphanisma blitoides bloom?
Aphanisma blitoides blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Aphanisma blitoides grow?
Aphanisma blitoides occurs in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Aphanisma blitoides belong to?
Aphanisma blitoides is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Aphanisma.
Is Aphanisma blitoides rare or endangered?
Aphanisma blitoides carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.