Chorizanthe ventricosa
Potbellied spineflower, Potbellied Spineflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Chorizanthe ventricosa (Potbellied spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and swollen involucres.
Potbellied spineflower is a rare California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in southern San Benito, southeastern Monterey, northeastern San Luis Obispo, and western Fresno counties in serpentine habitats at elevations of 500 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to green-yellow flowers with purple perianth lobes, creating delicate clusters on low, openly branched stems. Growing to 5 decimeters tall and up to 5 decimeters wide, it forms low-tufted or mounded patches with ascending branches emerging from the plant base. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long and 0.4 to 1 centimeter wide, creating a compact and intricate ground-hugging form. The distinctive involucre is 4 to 4.5 millimeters long, swollen and three-angled with six unequal lobes tipped by straight or hooked awns.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; diagnostic serpentine habitat and swollen involucres
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: 500-1000 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Monterey, San Benito
Bloom period
Chorizanthe ventricosa blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 ventricosa native to California?
Yes. Chorizanthe ventricosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chorizanthe ventricosa bloom?
Chorizanthe ventricosa blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Chorizanthe ventricosa grow?
Chorizanthe ventricosa occurs in San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Monterey, San Benito, at elevations of 500-1000 m.
What plant family does Chorizanthe ventricosa belong to?
Chorizanthe ventricosa is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Chorizanthe.
Is Chorizanthe ventricosa rare or endangered?
Chorizanthe ventricosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
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.