Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis
Kern plateau bird's-beak, Kern Plateau Bird's-Beak
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis (Kern plateau bird's-beak) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by bristly bracts with acute unmarked tips diagnostic.
Kern plateau bird's-beak is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, specifically in Kern, Inyo, and Tulare counties, within open Jeffrey-pine and juniper forests at elevations of 2,100 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces pale pink flowers with bristly outer bracts and acute tips. Growing with slender stems, it reaches a modest height typical of annual wildflowers. Its leaves and overall structure are adapted to the high-elevation, open forest environments of the Kern Plateau. The seeds are smooth between their distinctive net-like patterns, reflecting the plant's specialized desert mountain ecology.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; bristly bracts with acute unmarked tips diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open Jeffrey-pine or juniper forest
Elevation: 2100-3000 m
Bloom period
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Dicranostegia: Cordylanthus has flowers in short dense spikes under 2cm; Dicranostegia has flowers scattered singly along stem.; vs Castilleja: Cordylanthus has closed hood with rolled lower lip; Castilleja has open beak without rolled lip.; vs Dittrichia: Cordylanthus has tubular two-lipped flowers; Dittrichia has yellow daisy flowers with many ray petals.; vs Chloropyron: Cordylanthus has palmately divided leaves; Chloropyron has succulent undivided leaves in salt marsh habitat.; vs Deinandra: Cordylanthus has tubular two-lipped flowers; Deinandra has yellow daisy flowers with notched ray petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis native to California?
Yes. Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis bloom?
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis belong to?
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Cordylanthus.
Is Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis rare or endangered?
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis grow in?
Cordylanthus eremicus subsp. kernensis grows in Open Jeffrey-pine or juniper forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.