Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina
San fernando valley spineflower, San Fernando Valley Spineflower
Photo: parent species Chorizanthe parryi · (c) Jordan Zylstra, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Candidate
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina (San fernando valley spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by straight awns vs hooked in var. parryi.
San fernando valley spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in western Transverse Ranges in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, specifically Laskey Mesa and Santa Susana Mountains, growing in sandy habitats at elevations of 90 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive straight involucre awns. Growing with delicate stems that form low, spreading clusters, it develops compact, intricate branching patterns. Its leaves are small and narrow, typical of spineflower species, with fine texture that blends into the sandy landscape. The plant's unique involucre structure, with straight, needle-like awns, provides excellent adaptation to its arid, sandy environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; diagnostic straight awns vs hooked in var. parryi
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 90-500 m
Bloom period
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Candidate
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 parryi var. fernandina native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina bloom?
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina belong to?
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina grow in?
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina grows in Sand.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi — Parry's spineflower
- Chorizanthe polygonoides — Knotweed spineflower
- Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina — Long-spined spineflower
- Chorizanthe polygonoides var. polygonoides — Knotweed spineflower
- Chorizanthe procumbens — Prostrate spineflower
- Chorizanthe pungens — Monterey 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.