Chorizanthe angustifolia
Narrow-leaf spineflower
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe angustifolia (Narrow-leaf spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by narrow leaf shape and coastal sandy habitat.
Narrow-leaf spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern Central Coast regions including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in sandy habitats at elevations of 10 to 150 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate straw-colored flowers in dense, clustered arrangements with perianth 2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing as a mat-forming plant 3 to 10 centimeters tall with decumbent to prostrate branches, it spreads up to 10 centimeters in diameter with yellow-green hairy foliage. Its basal leaves are narrow and oblong-oblanceolate, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters long and 0.3 to 0.6 centimeters wide. The plant features distinctive involucres with six alternating lobes and hooked awns 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, giving it a delicate and intricate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; key feature is narrow leaf shape and coastal sandy habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sand
Elevation: 10-150 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey
Bloom period
Chorizanthe angustifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Chorizanthe has 1 flower per involucre; Eriogonum has multiple flowers per involucre.; vs Eremothera: Chorizanthe has 6-parted flowers in spiny cups; Eremothera has 4-petaled evening-primrose flowers.; vs Calyptridium: Chorizanthe has flowers in awned involucres; Calyptridium has naked flowers with papery sepals.; vs Lastarriaea: Chorizanthe has thin papery flowers; Lastarriaea has distinctly thick, leathery-textured flowers.; vs Navarretia: Chorizanthe is in Polygonaceae with 6-parted flowers; Navarretia is in Polemoniaceae with 5-lobed tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chorizanthe angustifolia native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe angustifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe angustifolia bloom?
Chorizanthe angustifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe angustifolia grow?
Chorizanthe angustifolia occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, at elevations of 10-150 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe angustifolia belong to?
Chorizanthe angustifolia is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe angustifolia grow in?
Chorizanthe angustifolia grows in Uncommon. Sand.
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.