Chorizanthe clevelandii
Cleveland's spineflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe clevelandii (Cleveland's spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by one greatly elongated abaxial lobe with hooked awn.
Cleveland's spineflower is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, central western California, and northern western Transverse Ranges in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white and green-white flowers with delicate, intricately structured perianths that are sparsely hairy. Growing as a low, mat-forming plant spreading 0.5 to 5 meters in diameter with decumbent branches, it reaches heights of 2 to 8 centimeters tall. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long and oblanceolate or spoon-shaped, contributing to its low-growing, compact appearance. The plant features complex involucres with six lobes, including one greatly elongated abaxial lobe tipped with a hooked awn, creating an intricate and unique botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; one greatly elongated abaxial lobe with hooked awn is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 400-2000 m
Bloom period
Chorizanthe clevelandii blooms May-Sep.
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 clevelandii native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe clevelandii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe clevelandii bloom?
Chorizanthe clevelandii blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Chorizanthe clevelandii belong to?
Chorizanthe clevelandii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe clevelandii grow in?
Chorizanthe clevelandii grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Chorizanthe douglasii — Douglas' spineflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.