Chorizanthe minutiflora
Fort ord spineflower, Fort Ord Spineflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chorizanthe minutiflora (Fort ord spineflower) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by extremely restricted range and very small flowers.
Fort ord spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Coast Ranges at Fort Ord in northwestern Monterey County in sandy coastal scrub at elevations of 140 to 150 meters. Flowering from late April to early July, this plant produces white flowers with green-white tubes in small, dense clusters. Growing as a mat-forming plant with prostrate branches 5 to 20 millimeters tall and spreading up to 2 meters in diameter, it has sparsely hairy yellow-green herbage. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate, 5 to 20 millimeters long and 3 to 6 millimeters wide, with delicate branching stems emerging from the plant base. Each tiny flower features 3 stamens fused to the perianth tube base, with distinctively hooked awns 1 to 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; extremely restricted range and very small flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sandy places in coastal scrub
Elevation: 140-150 m
California counties: Monterey
Bloom period
Chorizanthe minutiflora blooms Late Apr-early Jul.
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 minutiflora native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe minutiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe minutiflora bloom?
Chorizanthe minutiflora blooms Late Apr-early Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe minutiflora grow?
Chorizanthe minutiflora occurs in Monterey, at elevations of 140-150 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe minutiflora belong to?
Chorizanthe minutiflora is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe minutiflora rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe minutiflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.