Castilleja lasiorhyncha
San bernardino mountains owl's-clover, San Bernardino Mountains Owl's-Clover
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Castilleja lasiorhyncha (San bernardino mountains owl's-clover) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by densely white-hairy flower beak and San Bernardino Mountains location.
San bernardino mountains owl's-clover is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the San Bernardino Mountains and northern and central Peninsular Ranges in meadows, flats, and open forest at elevations of 1,000 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow flowers on bracts with 3 to 5 lance-linear green lobes, featuring a white-hairy beak and distinctive lower lip pouches. Growing 10 to 20 centimeters tall with a spreading, glandular-puberulent habit, the plant has delicate lance-linear leaves up to 30 millimeters long with 0 to 3 narrow lobes. Its leaves and stems are covered in spreading hairs, giving the plant a soft, fuzzy appearance with an open, branching structure. The fruit is small, approximately 6 to 9 millimeters long, with seeds featuring a deeply netted, loose-fitting coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinguished by densely white-hairy flower beak and San Bernardino Mountains location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, flats, open forest
Elevation: 1000-2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside
Bloom period
Castilleja lasiorhyncha blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Triphysaria: Castilleja lacks the sharp fold in flower throat; Triphysaria has abrupt crease above lower lip.; vs Trifolium: Castilleja has tubular flowers with colorful bracts; Trifolium has round heads of pea-like flowers and three leaflets.; vs Pedicularis: Castilleja has open forward beak and colorful bracts; Pedicularis has closed hood and fern-like leaves.; vs Orthocarpus: Castilleja has open beak you can see into; Orthocarpus has closed hood covering stamens completely.; vs Epilobium: Castilleja has tubular two-lipped flowers and colorful bracts; Epilobium has four separate petals arranged in cross.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castilleja lasiorhyncha native to California?
Yes. Castilleja lasiorhyncha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja lasiorhyncha bloom?
Castilleja lasiorhyncha blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Castilleja lasiorhyncha grow?
Castilleja lasiorhyncha occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of 1000-2400 m.
What plant family does Castilleja lasiorhyncha belong to?
Castilleja lasiorhyncha is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja lasiorhyncha rare or endangered?
Castilleja lasiorhyncha 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.