Chorizanthe douglasii
Douglas' spineflower
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Chorizanthe douglasii (Douglas' spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by disk-like scarious membrane connecting lobes.
Douglas' spineflower is a native perennial found in eastern Santa Cruz Mountains and inner Coast Ranges in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate white to rose or purple flowers in dense, rounded clusters with distinctive reddish to purple membrane-like connections between flower lobes. Growing with erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant branches in an ascending pattern and is softly hairy throughout. Its leaves are primarily basal, with narrow oblong to oblanceolate blades 5 to 20 millimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, covered in soft hairs. The intricate involucre surrounding the flower is triangular, 3 to 5 millimeters long, with six alternating lobes that create an elegant, structured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; disk-like scarious membrane connecting lobes is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: (200)300-1600 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Chorizanthe douglasii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 douglasii native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe douglasii bloom?
Chorizanthe douglasii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe douglasii grow?
Chorizanthe douglasii occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, at elevations of (200)300-1600 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe douglasii belong to?
Chorizanthe douglasii is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe douglasii rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe douglasii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.