Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina
Long-spined spineflower, Long-Spined Spineflower
Photo: parent species Chorizanthe polygonoides · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina (Long-spined spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by long spines and reddish color diagnostic.
Long-spined spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges in sandy habitats at elevations of 30 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces distinctive reddish flowers with prominent spiny involucre lobes. Growing with slender stems generally reddish in color, it forms delicate, low-growing clusters. Its leaves are small and sparse, typical of plants adapted to sandy, arid environments. The plant's involucre tube measures 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, with distinctive awns extending 2 to 3 millimeters from its lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; long spines and reddish color diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 30-1500 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, Lake
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina blooms Apr-Jun.
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 polygonoides var. longispina native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina bloom?
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina grow?
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina occurs in Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, Lake, at elevations of 30-1500 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina belong to?
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe polygonoides var. polygonoides — Knotweed spineflower
- Chorizanthe procumbens — Prostrate spineflower
- Chorizanthe pungens — Monterey spineflower
- Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana — Ben lomond spineflower
- Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens — Monterey spineflower
- Chorizanthe rectispina — Straight-awned 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.