Chloropyron molle
Soft bird's beak
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chloropyron molle (Soft bird's beak) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by 8 congeners; only 2 fertile stamens (+2 staminodes), densely tomentose corolla, oblong entire-to-lobed leaves; Bay/Delta and Great Valley.
Soft bird's beak is a California native annual herb found in coastal regions of central California in coastal prairie and salt marsh habitats. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces pale white to cream flowers with a densely tomentose texture and distinctive lower lip. Growing with grayish-green stems often tinged purple, it reaches 10 to 40 centimeters tall and has a distinctively glandular and stiffly hairy appearance. Its leaves are approximately 10 to 25 millimeters long, oblong in shape and ranging from entire to deeply 7-lobed. The plant produces small dark brown seeds that are kidney-shaped with a deeply netted surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 congeners; only 2 fertile stamens (+2 staminodes), densely tomentose corolla, oblong entire-to-lobed leaves; Bay/Delta and Great Valley
Habitat and range
California counties: Napa, Solano, Sacramento
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Leaves completely unlobed and smooth-edged, not lobed or divided.; vs Cordylanthus: Found exclusively in saline or alkaline habitats like salt marshes.; vs Cressa: Has typical Orobanchaceae hooded flowers, not small white tubular Convolvulaceae blooms.; vs Triphysaria: Calyx barely notched at tip (~1 mm), not deeply divided.; vs Orthocarpus: Leaves entirely unlobed, not lobed or divided in any way.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chloropyron molle native to California?
Yes. Chloropyron molle is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Chloropyron molle grow?
Chloropyron molle occurs in Napa, Solano, Sacramento.
What plant family does Chloropyron molle belong to?
Chloropyron molle is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Chloropyron.
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.