Chorizanthe corrugata
Wrinkled spineflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe corrugata (Wrinkled spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by 3-lobed involucres and transversely ridged surfaces.
Wrinkled spineflower is a California native perennial found in the southwestern California bioregion in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 70 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white flowers in small, delicate clusters with curved, hooked awns. Growing with compact, nearly erect stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall, it has branches ascending from the plant base, sometimes with one branch more prominent. Its leaves are mostly basal, with small ovate to round blades 5 to 15 millimeters long, covered in a thin, soft tomentose texture. The plant forms small, open clusters of three-angled involucres with spreading lobes, giving it a distinctive architectural structure in sandy landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; 3-lobed involucres and transversely ridged surfaces are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 70-1000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to southern Nevada, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Chorizanthe corrugata blooms Feb-May.
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 corrugata native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe corrugata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe corrugata bloom?
Chorizanthe corrugata blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Chorizanthe corrugata grow?
Chorizanthe corrugata occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Santa Cruz, at elevations of 70-1000 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe corrugata belong to?
Chorizanthe corrugata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe corrugata grow in?
Chorizanthe corrugata grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Chorizanthe eastwoodiae — Eastwood's 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.