Chorizanthe stellulata
Starlite spineflower
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe stellulata (Starlite spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by heart-shaped petals and white scarious margins.
Starlite spineflower is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, California Floristic Region, Sierra Nevada Foothills, and eastern San Francisco Bay Area in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of 30 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces cream or rose-colored flowers in small, congested rounded clusters with 6-lobed involucres. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with ascending branches and hairy stems that have 2 or 3 nodes, it develops an intricate branching structure. Its leaves are primarily basal, linear to oblanceolate, measuring 5 to 20 millimeters long with a width of 8 to 22 millimeters. The fruit is 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters long, completing its delicate reproductive cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; diagnostic heart-shaped petals and white scarious margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel
Elevation: 30-900 m
Bloom period
Chorizanthe stellulata blooms Apr-Jul.
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 stellulata native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe stellulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe stellulata bloom?
Chorizanthe stellulata blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Chorizanthe stellulata belong to?
Chorizanthe stellulata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe stellulata grow in?
Chorizanthe stellulata grows in 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.