Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei
Photo: parent species Aphyllon californicum · (c) Jo "Cirque" Stormer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family.
Aphyllon californicum is a native perennial found in dry washes, slopes, and flats in California at elevations of 700 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this parasitic plant produces white to yellow flowers with purple-tinged petals and red veins, featuring a distinctive corolla 25 to 35 millimeters long with an unusual throat hump. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with stout stems generally branched toward the tip, it develops rounded or flat-topped flower clusters with branches less than 9 centimeters long. Its flowers have a robust corolla tube that abruptly expands above the sinus, creating a distinctive 8 to 10 millimeter wide throat hump with moderately recurved lips. The plant's compact structure and intricate flower morphology make it a unique component of California's dry landscape ecosystems.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry washes, slopes, flats, primarily on
Elevation: 700-2500 m
Outside California: to Baja California
Bloom period
Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Orobanche: Aphyllon and Orobanche are now considered the same genus; check current taxonomy.; vs Oenothera: Aphyllon is parasitic without green leaves; Oenothera has normal green leaves and grows independently.; vs Kopsiopsis: Aphyllon is hairy with separated bracts; Kopsiopsis is hairless with tightly overlapping bracts.; vs Pholisma: Aphyllon has upright purple flower spikes; Pholisma has round white flower heads at ground level.; vs Diplacus: Aphyllon is parasitic without green leaves; Diplacus has normal green leaves and colorful snapdragon flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei bloom?
Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei belong to?
Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
What habitat does Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei grow in?
Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei grows in dry washes, slopes, flats, primarily on.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.