Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus
Photo: parent species Cordylanthus pilosus · (c) Chris Conard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by distinctive bract lobing pattern.
Bristly bird's-beak is a California native annual herb found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothill woodland at elevations generally below 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small flowers nestled within distinctively three-lobed bracts with truncate to obtuse tips. Growing with slender stems reaching up to 30 centimeters tall, it develops a delicate, branching structure typical of annual herbs. Its leaves are likely narrow and divided, complementing the plant's intricate bract and flower arrangement. The small flowers, slightly shorter than their surrounding bracts, create a subtle and intricate botanical display characteristic of this woodland species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive bract lobing pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland
Elevation: generally < 1100 m
Bloom period
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus blooms Jun-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. trifidus native to California?
Yes. Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus bloom?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus belong to?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Cordylanthus.
What habitat does Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus grow in?
Cordylanthus pilosus subsp. trifidus grows in Foothill woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.