Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi
Parry's 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
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi (Parry's spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by hooked awns vs straight in var. fernandina.
Parry's spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in central and southern California coastal areas, eastern Transverse Ranges, and northwestern edge of the Desert Mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 90 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers with distinctive hooked involucre awns. Growing with delicate branching stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clusters in sandy terrain. Its leaves are small and narrow, emerging from the base of the plant in sparse, thin arrangements. The plant's unique hooked awns serve as a key identification feature, helping it disperse seeds by catching onto passing animals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; diagnostic hooked awns vs straight in var. fernandina
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 90-800 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura
Bloom period
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. parryi native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi bloom?
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi grow?
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, at elevations of 90-800 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi belong to?
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana — Ben lomond 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.