Boerhavia wrightii
Largebract spiderling
(c) W Rao, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Boerhavia wrightii (Largebract spiderling) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by large persistent reddish bracts.
Largebract spiderling is a California native annual found in Desert bioregion in dry, sandy places at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from August to December, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers tiny and delicate. Growing with branched erect stems up to 70 centimeters tall and covered in glandular hairs, the plant has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are lanceolate to oblong-ovate with pointed tips, spreading across the slender stems. The fruit is small and wrinkled, with approximately 4 wide ribs, and nestled among wide reddish bracts that persist throughout its growth cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species, distinguished by large persistent reddish bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy places
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, San Diego
Outside California: to Nevada, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Boerhavia wrightii blooms Aug-Dec.
How to tell it apart
vs Allionia: Boerhavia has loose, open flower clusters; Allionia has exactly 3 flowers tightly grouped in bract cups.; vs Eriogonum: Boerhavia has opposite leaves and tiny bell flowers; Eriogonum has basal leaf rosettes and papery flower bracts.; vs Mirabilis: Boerhavia has tiny bell flowers under 5mm in loose clusters; Mirabilis has larger flowers in 5-bract cups.; vs Lantana: Boerhavia has tiny single bell flowers and sprawling stems; Lantana has dense rounded heads of tubular flowers.; vs Abronia: Boerhavia has tiny scattered flowers in loose clusters; Abronia has dense rounded pom-pom flower heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boerhavia wrightii native to California?
Yes. Boerhavia wrightii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boerhavia wrightii bloom?
Boerhavia wrightii blooms Aug-Dec.
Where in California does Boerhavia wrightii grow?
Boerhavia wrightii occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, San Diego, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Boerhavia wrightii belong to?
Boerhavia wrightii is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Boerhavia.
What habitat does Boerhavia wrightii grow in?
Boerhavia wrightii grows in Dry, sandy places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Boerhavia coccinea — Scarlet spiderling
- Boerhavia coulteri
- Boerhavia coulteri var. coulteri
- Boerhavia coulteri var. palmeri — Coulter's spiderling
- Boerhavia diffusa — Red spiderling
- Boerhavia sp. — Spiderling
- Mirabilis albida — Dwarf four o'clock
- Mirabilis alipes — Winged four o'clock
- Mirabilis coccinea — Red four o'clock
- Mirabilis greenei — Greene's four o'clock
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.