Chorizanthe orcuttiana
Orcutt's spineflower
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Chorizanthe orcuttiana (Orcutt's spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by mat-forming habit and yellow flowers.
Orcutt's spineflower is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.1 by CNPS, found in southern Southern California coastal areas around Del Mar to Point Loma in San Diego County, growing in sandy habitats at elevations of 60 to 200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate, narrowly oblanceolate perianth segments. Growing as a low, mat-forming plant only 1 to 5 centimeters tall with a spread of 3 to 20 centimeters, it has decumbent or prostrate branches spreading from its base. Its basal leaves are narrow, measuring 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long and 0.2 to 0.5 centimeters wide, with a distinctive oblanceolate shape. The plant produces small three-angled involucres with three spreading lobes and minute hooked awns, creating a delicate and intricate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; diagnostic mat-forming habit and yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 60-200 m
California counties: San Diego
Bloom period
Chorizanthe orcuttiana blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 orcuttiana native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe orcuttiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe orcuttiana bloom?
Chorizanthe orcuttiana blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Chorizanthe orcuttiana grow?
Chorizanthe orcuttiana occurs in San Diego, at elevations of 60-200 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe orcuttiana belong to?
Chorizanthe orcuttiana is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe orcuttiana rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe orcuttiana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe palmeri — Palmer's spineflower
- Chorizanthe parryi — Parry's spineflower
- Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina — San fernando valley spineflower
- Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi — Parry's spineflower
- Chorizanthe polygonoides — Knotweed spineflower
- Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina — Long-spined spineflower
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.