Chorizanthe breweri
Brewer's spineflower
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Chorizanthe breweri (Brewer's spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by broad, veined, rounded/notched leaves.
Brewer's spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southwestern San Luis Obispo County in gravelly or rocky habitats at elevations of 60 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces delicate white to rose-colored flowers in small, open clusters with distinctive hooked awns. Growing as a low-mounded mat 5 to 15 centimeters tall with decumbent branches, it spreads to 1 to 5 meters in diameter. Its basal leaves are small and ovate, measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters long with rounded or notched tips, and are thinly hairy. The plant forms intricate flat-topped clusters with six-lobed involucres and nine stamens fused to the perianth tube base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; broad, veined, rounded/notched leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel or rocks
Elevation: 60-800 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Chorizanthe breweri blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 breweri native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe breweri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe breweri bloom?
Chorizanthe breweri blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe breweri grow?
Chorizanthe breweri occurs in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, at elevations of 60-800 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe breweri belong to?
Chorizanthe breweri is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe breweri rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe breweri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe clevelandii — Cleveland's spineflower
- Chorizanthe corrugata — Wrinkled spineflower
- Chorizanthe cuspidata — San francisco spineflower
- Chorizanthe cuspidata var. cuspidata — San francisco bay spineflower
- Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa — Woolly-headed spineflower
- Chorizanthe diffusa — Diffuse spineflower
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.