Ditaxis lanceolata
Lance leaved ditaxis
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Ditaxis lanceolata (Lance leaved ditaxis) is a native California subshrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by subshrub habit and entire leaf margins diagnostic.
Lance leaved ditaxis is a California native shrub found in the Mojave Desert near Eagle Mountain and the Sonoran Desert in rocky soils, slopes, and canyons at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small flowers with pale petals approximately 3 to 3.5 millimeters long. Growing with generally erect stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall that are brittle and covered in appressed hairs, it forms a distinctive subshrub structure. Its lanceolate leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, densely hairy, with tiny stipules near the base and entire margins. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 5 millimeters long containing angled, pitted seeds about 2 to 2.5 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; subshrub habit and entire leaf margins diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky soils, slopes, canyons
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Ditaxis lanceolata blooms Mar-May.
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 lanceolata native to California?
Yes. Ditaxis lanceolata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ditaxis lanceolata bloom?
Ditaxis lanceolata blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Ditaxis lanceolata grow?
Ditaxis lanceolata occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Ditaxis lanceolata belong to?
Ditaxis lanceolata is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Ditaxis.
What habitat does Ditaxis lanceolata grow in?
Ditaxis lanceolata grows in Rocky soils, 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.