Chorizanthe rectispina
Straight-awned spineflower, Straight-Awned Spineflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chorizanthe rectispina (Straight-awned spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by straight awn and two-toned flowers.
Straight-awned spineflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 200 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white and yellow flowers with white outer lobes and a yellow tube, arranged in small, loose clusters. Growing low and diffusely branched to 8 centimeters tall with a spread of 50 to 40 centimeters, it has spreading to decumbent stems that emerge from the plant base. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, 5 to 15 millimeters long and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with distinctive involucres featuring straight and hooked awns. The fruit is 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, with intricately structured floral bracts and lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; diagnostic straight awn and two-toned flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 200-600 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Chorizanthe rectispina blooms May-Jul.
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 rectispina native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe rectispina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe rectispina bloom?
Chorizanthe rectispina blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe rectispina grow?
Chorizanthe rectispina occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 200-600 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe rectispina belong to?
Chorizanthe rectispina is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe rectispina rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe rectispina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.