Crossosoma bigelovii
Bigelow crossosoma
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Family: Crossosomataceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Crossosoma bigelovii (Bigelow crossosoma) is a native California shrub in the Crossosomataceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated in desert regions.
Bigelow crossosoma is a California native shrub found in eastern San Bernardo Mountains, eastern Peninsula Ranges, and the Desert regions on dry, rocky slopes and canyons at elevations of 150 to 1,280 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pale purple flowers 9 to 12 millimeters long with oblong petals. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with distinctively thorny branchlets, it forms a robust and intricate shrub structure. Its leaves are elliptic to spoon-shaped, creating a soft yet structured appearance across its branching form. The fruit develops as 1 to 3 structures approximately 8 to 10 millimeters long, containing 2 to 5 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated in desert regions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes, canyons
Elevation: 150-1280 m
California counties: Inyo, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Crossosoma bigelovii blooms Feb-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Carpenteria: Crossosoma has 5 petals and multiple separate seed pods; Carpenteria has many petals and one capsule.; vs Ceanothus: Crossosoma has large white flowers with many stamens; Ceanothus has tiny blue or white flowers in dense clusters.; vs Glossopetalon: Crossosoma flowers are at branch tips with 15-50 stamens; Glossopetalon flowers are along stems with 4-10 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crossosoma bigelovii native to California?
Yes. Crossosoma bigelovii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Crossosoma bigelovii bloom?
Crossosoma bigelovii blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Crossosoma bigelovii grow?
Crossosoma bigelovii occurs in Inyo, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, at elevations of 150-1280 m.
What plant family does Crossosoma bigelovii belong to?
Crossosoma bigelovii is in the Crossosomataceae family, genus Crossosoma.
What habitat does Crossosoma bigelovii grow in?
Crossosoma bigelovii grows in Dry, rocky slopes, canyons.
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.