Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis
Seaside bird's-beak, Seaside Bird's-Beak
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis (Seaside bird's-beak) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by coastal dunes habitat and soft-hairy texture diagnostic.
Seaside bird's-beak is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central California coastal regions including southern Monterey Bay, Peninsula, and Santa Barbara County in coastal dune habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate flowers in compact clusters approximately 10 to 20 millimeters wide. Growing with soft-hairy stems, it develops an intricate inflorescence with 5 to 8 flowers and distinctive bracts that have lobed upper portions. Its upper bracts feature elongated lanceolate middle lobes with tapered tips, creating a distinctive architectural structure. The flowers measure 15 to 20 millimeters long, emerging from soft, puberulent foliage characteristic of coastal dune environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; coastal dunes habitat and soft-hairy texture diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dunes
Elevation: < 200 m
Bloom period
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 rigidus subsp. littoralis native to California?
Yes. Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis bloom?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis belong to?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Cordylanthus.
Is Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis rare or endangered?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis grow in?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. littoralis grows in Dunes.
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.