Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by distinctive tall stature and long flowers.
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis is a California native annual found in the northern Coast Ranges, central and southern Sierra Nevada Forests, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, central Coast, northern San Francisco Bay, and southwestern California in wet places at elevations below 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces delicate flowers with pale corolla 25 to 35 millimeters long. Growing with multiple stems that are puberulent and covered in non-glandular hairs, it forms compact clusters in moist environments. Its slender stems and leaves blend subtly into the wetland landscape, creating a soft, understated botanical presence. The plant's fine, hairy texture and adaptation to wet habitats make it a distinctive component of California's diverse grassland and wetland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; distinctive tall stature and long flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: < 2600 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Napa, Monterey, Lake, Tulare, Shasta, Santa Barbara, Tuolumne, Ventura, Marin, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Madera, Colusa, Inyo, Sonoma, Fresno, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis blooms Jun-Oct.
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 minor subsp. spiralis native to California?
Yes. Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis bloom?
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis grow?
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Napa, Monterey, Lake, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of < 2600 m.
What plant family does Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis belong to?
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis grow in?
Castilleja minor subsp. spiralis grows in Wet places.
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.