Chorizanthe diffusa
Diffuse spineflower
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe diffusa (Diffuse spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by lemon-yellow perianth tube and widely scarious margins.
Diffuse spineflower is a California native perennial found in coastal and western San Francisco Bay regions, including central coastal and western South Coast Ranges, in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 30 to 800 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white and lemon-yellow flowers with distinctive white or yellow tips in small clusters near branch tips. Growing as a low-mounded or mat-forming plant with prostrate or spreading branches reaching 10 to 20 centimeters in diameter, it develops from a short, erect stem with hairy texture. Its basal leaves are narrow and oblanceolate, measuring 3 to 20 millimeters long and less than 4 millimeters wide. The plant's unique involucre features six lobes with white to pink-purple scarious margins, creating an intricate structural detail at its branch tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; lemon-yellow perianth tube and widely scarious margins are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 30-800 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Mateo, Kern
Bloom period
Chorizanthe diffusa blooms Apr-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 diffusa native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe diffusa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe diffusa bloom?
Chorizanthe diffusa blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe diffusa grow?
Chorizanthe diffusa occurs in Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Mateo, Kern, at elevations of 30-800 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe diffusa belong to?
Chorizanthe diffusa is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe diffusa grow in?
Chorizanthe diffusa grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.