Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa
Woolly-headed spineflower, Woolly-Headed Spineflower
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa (Woolly-headed spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by straight awns and no scarious margins distinguish from var. cuspidata.
Woolly-headed spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Central Coast in sandy habitats at elevations below 60 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white flowers in intricate involucre clusters with straight awns. Growing with spreading or ascending stems reaching 1 to 5 centimeters tall, it exhibits a low-growing and delicate growth form. Its leaves are relatively narrow, measuring 1 to 5 centimeters long and 0.4 to 1 centimeter wide, with distinctive branching patterns. The plant produces small fruits approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length, highlighting its diminutive yet intricate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; straight awns and no scarious margins distinguish from var. cuspidata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: < 60 m
California counties: Marin, Sonoma, Monterey
Bloom period
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 cuspidata var. villosa native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa bloom?
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa grow?
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa occurs in Marin, Sonoma, Monterey, at elevations of < 60 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa belong to?
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.