Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii
Photo: parent species Cordylanthus pilosus · (c) Chris Conard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by bract lobing pattern and flower extension diagnostic.
Hansen's bird's beak is a California native annual found in southern Klamath Ranges, southern Cascade Range, and northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothill woodland at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small flowers with linear bracts that have three-lobed tips less than 3 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems in open woodland environments, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its inflorescence features outer bracts with truncate tips, creating a unique architectural profile for this diminutive wildflower. The plant's corolla extends beyond both the calyx and inner bract, giving it a subtle yet intricate floral presentation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; bract lobing pattern and flower extension diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open foothill woodland
Elevation: < 1000 m
Bloom period
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii blooms Jul-Aug.
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 pilosus subsp. hansenii native to California?
Yes. Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii bloom?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii belong to?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Cordylanthus.
What habitat does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii grow in?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. hansenii grows in Open foothill woodland.
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.