Brandegea bigelovii
Brandegea
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cucurbitaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Brandegea bigelovii (Brandegea) is a native California vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized by Sonoran Desert endemic genus with limited distribution in southeastern California.
Brandegea is a California native perennial found in southern desert bioregions in canyon, wash, and sandy slope habitats at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in small, delicate clusters with rotate or cup-shaped corollas. Growing with taprooted stems that are nearly smooth and feature an unbranched tendril, it develops distinctive vine-like characteristics. Its leaves are notably unusual, generally round to heart-shaped or nearly square, with deeply lobed surfaces marked by white glands and a terminal lobe that is typically the longest. The plant produces small dry fruits about 5 to 6 millimeters long with an asymmetric, slightly prickly body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Sonoran Desert endemic genus with limited distribution in southeastern California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons, washes, flats, sandy slopes
Elevation: < 900 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: southwestern Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Brandegea bigelovii blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Marah: Brandegea flowers are under 3 mm wide; Marah flowers are 3 mm or larger.; vs Pholistoma: Brandegea is a vine with tendrils; Pholistoma lacks tendrils and has bowl-shaped flowers.; vs Cuscuta: Brandegea has normal leaves; Cuscuta is leafless and parasitic with orange stems.; vs Cucurbita: Brandegea has tiny white flowers under 3 mm; Cucurbita has large yellow flowers over 3 cm.; vs Citrullus: Brandegea has tiny white flowers under 3 mm; Citrullus has yellow flowers over 2 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brandegea bigelovii native to California?
Yes. Brandegea bigelovii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brandegea bigelovii bloom?
Brandegea bigelovii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Brandegea bigelovii grow?
Brandegea bigelovii occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, at elevations of < 900 m.
What plant family does Brandegea bigelovii belong to?
Brandegea bigelovii is in the Cucurbitaceae family, genus Brandegea.
What habitat does Brandegea bigelovii grow in?
Brandegea bigelovii grows in Canyons, washes, flats, sandy slopes.
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.