Corispermum americanum var. americanum
American bugseed
(c) Dustin Snider, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Corispermum americanum var. americanum (American bugseed) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by Only Corispermum in California, representing a primarily Great Plains genus reaching California only in Eureka Valley.
American bugseed is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in northern Death Valley Mojave Desert (Eureka Valley) in sandy soils and dunes at elevations of 900 to 1,200 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces small green to yellow flowers with tiny white perianth parts. Growing with well-branched stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall, the plant is entirely glabrous with a delicate, open structure. Its leaves are narrow, measuring 9 to 25 millimeters long and 1 to 2.5 millimeters wide, with a simple linear shape. The fruit is distinctive, with a 2 to 3.5 millimeter body that is roughly obovate, yellow-green to brown, and often marked with red spots or warty textures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Corispermum in California, representing a primarily Great Plains genus reaching California only in Eureka Valley
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, dunes
Elevation: 900-1200 m
California counties: Inyo
Outside California: North America except southeastern, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Corispermum americanum var. americanum blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Bassia: Corispermum has terminal spikes with bracts; Bassia has axillary flowers developing hooked spines.; vs Beta: Corispermum has thread-like leaves; Beta has large broadly oval leaves.; vs Dysphania: Corispermum has grass-like linear leaves; Dysphania has broader, often lobed sticky leaves.; vs Chenopodium: Corispermum has narrow linear leaves; Chenopodium has broader oval to triangular leaves.; vs Micromonolepis: Corispermum has terminal spikes; Micromonolepis has 1-3 flowers at branch tips throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corispermum americanum var. americanum native to California?
Yes. Corispermum americanum var. americanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Corispermum americanum var. americanum bloom?
Corispermum americanum var. americanum blooms May.
Where in California does Corispermum americanum var. americanum grow?
Corispermum americanum var. americanum occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 900-1200 m.
What plant family does Corispermum americanum var. americanum belong to?
Corispermum americanum var. americanum is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Corispermum.
Is Corispermum americanum var. americanum rare or endangered?
Corispermum americanum var. americanum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.