Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata
Fringed spineflower
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata (Fringed spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by distal fringe segments wider than lateral ones distinguish from var. laciniata.
Fringed spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal areas, western Peninsular Ranges, and western Colorado Desert at elevations of 30 to 1,700 meters in sandy, gravelly, and rocky habitats. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white to pink flowers with delicate fringed lobes, each perianth 6 to 7 millimeters long. Growing to 10 to 35 centimeters tall with slender, spreading stems, it forms low, open clusters. Its leaves are narrow, 1 to 3.5 centimeters long and 0.2 to 1 centimeter wide, with distinctive thin blades. The flower's distal segments are notably wider than its lateral segments, creating an intricate and delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distal fringe segments wider than lateral ones distinguish from var. laciniata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, gravel, rocks
Elevation: 30-1700 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Imperial
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata blooms Mar-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 fimbriata var. fimbriata native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata bloom?
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata grow?
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Imperial, at elevations of 30-1700 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata belong to?
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata grow in?
Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata grows in Sand, gravel, rocks.
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.