Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by large flower clusters and lower-half lobed bracts.
Rigid bird's beak is a California native annual herb found in central Sierra Nevada, central western California, western Transverse Ranges, and San Gabriel Mountains in open foothill woodland, chaparral margins, and conifer forest at elevations below 2,700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces flowers with a distinctive corolla 12 to 20 millimeters long in compact inflorescences 20 to 40 millimeters wide. Growing with stems that feature elaborate bracts up to 20 millimeters long with complex lobing, particularly in the lower half of the plant. Its bracts have a linear to oblong middle lobe, with tips that are either linear or slightly wider and occasionally notched. The inflorescence typically contains 5 to 15 individual flowers, creating a dense and intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; diagnostic large flower clusters and lower-half lobed bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open foothill woodland, chaparral margins, conifer forest
Elevation: < 2700 m
California counties: Kern, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, Mariposa, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Fresno, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Madera, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, Los Angeles, Stanislaus, Alameda, Orange, Yolo
Bloom period
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus blooms Jul-Sep.
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. rigidus native to California?
Yes. Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus bloom?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus grow?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus occurs in Kern, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, Mariposa, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of < 2700 m.
What plant family does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus belong to?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Cordylanthus.
What habitat does Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus grow in?
Cordylanthus rigidus subsp. rigidus grows in Open foothill woodland, chaparral margins, conifer forest.
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.