Chorizanthe uniaristata
One-awn spineflower
(c) Madeleine Claire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chorizanthe uniaristata (One-awn spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by single long awn and 3 stamens.
One-awn spineflower is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, eastern Central West, and northern Western Transverse Ranges in sandy, gravelly, or clay habitats at elevations of 800 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers with green-white tubes in small, open to dense clusters. Growing as a tufted or mounded plant 2 to 6 centimeters tall and spreading 5 to 40 centimeters wide, it has delicate branches emerging from its base with spreading or ascending stems. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate, thinly hairy, and measure 5 to 15 millimeters long and 2 to 8 millimeters wide. The distinctive involucre features 6 unequal lobes, with one abaxial lobe 3 to 6 millimeters long tipped by a straight awn 2.5 to 5.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; diagnostic single long awn and 3 stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand, gravel, talus or clay
Elevation: 800-1900 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Kern, Ventura, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Benito, Fresno, Los Angeles, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Tulare, Kings, Madera
Bloom period
Chorizanthe uniaristata 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 uniaristata native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe uniaristata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe uniaristata bloom?
Chorizanthe uniaristata blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Chorizanthe uniaristata grow?
Chorizanthe uniaristata occurs in San Luis Obispo, Kern, Ventura, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Benito, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 800-1900 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe uniaristata belong to?
Chorizanthe uniaristata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
What habitat does Chorizanthe uniaristata grow in?
Chorizanthe uniaristata grows in Common. Sand, gravel, talus or clay.
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.