Chorizanthe procumbens
Prostrate spineflower
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe procumbens (Prostrate spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and equal lobes diagnostic.
Prostrate spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal areas, southern Transverse Ranges, and western Peninsular Ranges in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 10 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate, hooked involucre bracts. Growing as a low-spreading mat only 2 to 8 centimeters tall and spreading up to 50 centimeters wide, it forms dense, hairy ground-hugging patches. Its basal leaves are oblong-oblanceolate, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and less than 1 centimeter wide, providing a fine textural groundcover. The plant produces tiny fruits 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, nestled among its intricate branching structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; prostrate habit and equal lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: (0)10-1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chorizanthe procumbens blooms Apr-Jun.
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 procumbens native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe procumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe procumbens bloom?
Chorizanthe procumbens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Chorizanthe procumbens grow?
Chorizanthe procumbens occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, at elevations of (0)10-1300 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe procumbens belong to?
Chorizanthe procumbens is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe procumbens grow in?
Chorizanthe procumbens grows in Common. 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.