Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana
Ben lomond spineflower
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Henrik Kibak · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana (Ben lomond spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by location in Santa Cruz Sandhills.
Ben lomond spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the southwestern San Francisco Bay region in the Santa Cruz Sandhills of Santa Cruz County on sandy habitats at elevations of 90 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers with distinctive dark pink to purple involucre lobe margins. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems, it forms a compact, low-spreading habit characteristic of sandy coastal environments. Its leaves are small and narrow, adapting to the sparse, nutrient-poor sandy terrain. The plant's intricate floral structure and limited distribution make it a unique endemic of the Santa Cruz Sandhills ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; diagnostic location in Santa Cruz Sandhills
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: 90-500 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana blooms Apr-Jul.
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 pungens var. hartwegiana native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana bloom?
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana grow?
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana occurs in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Clara, at elevations of 90-500 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana belong to?
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens — Monterey spineflower
- Chorizanthe rectispina — Straight-awned spineflower
- Chorizanthe rigida — Devil's spineflower
- Chorizanthe robusta — Robust spineflower
- Chorizanthe robusta var. hartwegii — Scotts valley spineflower
- Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta — Robust spineflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.