Ditaxis claryana
Glandular ditaxis
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Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Ditaxis claryana (Glandular ditaxis) is a native California herb in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by gland-toothed margins and stipules.
Glandular ditaxis is a rare California native perennial ranked 2B.2 by CNPS, found in the Sonoran Desert's Coachella Valley in sandy creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from December to March, this plant produces small flowers with delicate glandular-toothed margins. Growing 1 to 5 decimeters tall with stems covered in a mix of simple spreading hairs and two-forked appressed hairs, it has a distinctive branching habit. Its lanceolate leaves measure 1 to 4 centimeters long, with small stipules and finely gland-toothed edges that are hairy on the undersurface. The fruit is approximately 4.5 millimeters long, with seeds that are slightly angled and faintly pitted.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; gland-toothed margins and stipules are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside
Bloom period
Ditaxis claryana blooms Dec-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Ricinus: Ditaxis has small flowers with petals; castor bean has petalless flowers and huge leaves.; vs Croton: Ditaxis flowers have visible petals; Croton flowers completely lack petals.; vs Bernardia: Ditaxis has petals on flowers; Bernardia flowers are petalless.; vs Acalypha: Ditaxis has petaled flowers; Acalypha flowers lack petals entirely.; vs Triadica: Ditaxis is small desert herb with petals; Triadica is tree with petalless flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ditaxis claryana native to California?
Yes. Ditaxis claryana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ditaxis claryana bloom?
Ditaxis claryana blooms Dec-Mar.
Where in California does Ditaxis claryana grow?
Ditaxis claryana occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Ditaxis claryana belong to?
Ditaxis claryana is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Ditaxis.
Is Ditaxis claryana rare or endangered?
Ditaxis claryana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.