Chorizanthe rigida
Devil's spineflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe rigida (Devil's spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by rigid spiny habit and hardened leaves.
Devil's spineflower is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert regions in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 60 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces small yellow flowers in dense, compact clusters with rigid spiny involucres. Growing in a stiffly erect form 2 to 8 centimeters tall with few to no branches, it forms a compact, hairy plant. Its leaves range from ovate to widely elliptic at the base, transitioning to narrow linear or linear-lanceolate shapes higher on the stem, with tips hardening into sharp spines as the plant matures. The distinctive involucre develops three lanceolate lobes that become rigid spines, with the back lobe reaching 5 to 10 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; diagnostic rigid spiny habit and hardened leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: 60-1900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Mono
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Chorizanthe rigida blooms Feb-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 rigida native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe rigida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe rigida bloom?
Chorizanthe rigida blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Chorizanthe rigida grow?
Chorizanthe rigida occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Mono, at elevations of 60-1900 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe rigida belong to?
Chorizanthe rigida is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe rigida grow in?
Chorizanthe rigida 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.