Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu
Brittle spineflower
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu (Brittle spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by linear leaves and evidently ribbed involucres vs. var. spathulata.
Brittle spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and desert regions in sandy and gravelly habitats at elevations of 60 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers in distinctive involucres with prominent ribs. Growing with slender stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in low, compact formations. Its leaves are narrow and linear, measuring 1.5 to 3 centimeters long with sharp, acute tips rarely wider than 3 millimeters. The plant forms intricate, fine-textured clusters in open, arid landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; linear leaves and evidently ribbed involucres vs. var. spathulata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, gravel, common
Elevation: 60-2300 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo, Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Ventura, Mono
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu blooms Feb-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 brevicornu var. brevicornu native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu bloom?
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu grow?
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo, Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, Santa Cruz and other counties, at elevations of 60-2300 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu belong to?
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu grow in?
Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu grows in Sand, gravel, common.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe brevicornu var. spathulata — Great basin brittle spineflower
- Chorizanthe breweri — Brewer's spineflower
- Chorizanthe clevelandii — Cleveland's spineflower
- Chorizanthe corrugata — Wrinkled spineflower
- Chorizanthe cuspidata — San francisco spineflower
- Chorizanthe cuspidata var. cuspidata — San francisco bay spineflower
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.