Aphyllon vallicola
(c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon vallicola is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by riparian habitat, yellow-pink flowers with pale veins contrasting rosy stem.
Aphyllon vallicola is a native perennial herb found in riparian woodland habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow to pink flowers with delicate pink veins, approximately 17 to 30 millimeters long with strongly recurved lobes. Growing 8 to 40 centimeters tall with stout stems that are yellow with a rosy tinge and glandular-puberulent, it has a thickened base and can be single or multiple-branched. Its flower structure features a pale or pinkish calyx 8 to 15 millimeters long and distinctive flower lips 5 to 9 millimeters in length with narrowly acute lobes that curve dramatically in mature stages. The plant's unique stem coloration and intricate flower structure make it a distinctive inhabitant of low-elevation riparian environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; riparian habitat, yellow-pink flowers with pale veins contrasting rosy stem
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riparian woodland, on
Elevation: < 300 m
Bloom period
Aphyllon vallicola blooms Jul-Sep.
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 vallicola native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon vallicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphyllon vallicola bloom?
Aphyllon vallicola blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Aphyllon vallicola belong to?
Aphyllon vallicola is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
What habitat does Aphyllon vallicola grow in?
Aphyllon vallicola grows in Riparian woodland, on.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Aphyllon californicum
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. californicum
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. condensum
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. feudgei
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. grande
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. grayanum
- Bellardia sp.
- Bellardia trixago var. trixago — Mediterranean lineseed
- Bellardia viscosa — Yellow glandweed
- Castilleja affinis — Indian paintbrush
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.