Chorizanthe obovata
Spoon-sepal spineflower
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe obovata (Spoon-sepal spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by round outer perianth lobes vs. much shorter fringed inner lobes.
Spoon-sepal spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern Santa Catalina Mountains and Coast Ranges on sandy or gravelly sites at elevations of 10 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pink flowers with delicate, fringed inner lobes. Growing prostrate to erect with multiple branches, it spreads 1 to 4 meters in diameter and reaches 10 to 30 centimeters tall. Its leaves are predominantly basal, with oblanceolate blades 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters long and 0.3 to 1 centimeter wide. The distinctive involucre is 3 to 4 millimeters long, three-angled with six ribbed lobes and straight to hooked awns.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; round outer perianth lobes vs. much shorter fringed inner lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 10-1300 m
Bloom period
Chorizanthe obovata blooms May-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 obovata native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe obovata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe obovata bloom?
Chorizanthe obovata blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Chorizanthe obovata belong to?
Chorizanthe obovata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe obovata grow in?
Chorizanthe obovata grows in 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.