Funastrum hirtellum
Trailing townula, Trailing Townula
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Funastrum hirtellum (Trailing townula) is a native California vine in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by dense hairs, gray-green color, paired divergent fruits.
Trailing townula is a California native perennial found in the southeastern desert region of California in hard desert pavement and washes at elevations of 150 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to green-white flowers with ring-shaped tissue at the base of delicate, spreading to erect lobes. Growing with slender stems covered in dense, short, erect hairs, it has a distinctively gray-green appearance. Its linear to narrow-lanceolate leaves are 10 to 36 millimeters long with obtuse bases, creating a subtle, elegant form. The plant typically produces two elongated fruits that often spread nearly 180 degrees apart, reaching 3.6 to 4.8 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are dense hairs, gray-green color, paired divergent fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Hard desert pavement, washes
Elevation: 150-1200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Funastrum hirtellum blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Asclepias: Funastrum has hollow tube-like appendages and small flowers; Asclepias has solid hoods forming a crown and showier flowers.; vs Cuscuta: Funastrum has green leaves and milky sap; Cuscuta is leafless orange thread with no chlorophyll.; vs Stephanomeria: Funastrum has small star-shaped milkweed flowers; Stephanomeria has dandelion-like composite flowers with strap-shaped petals.; vs Calystegia: Funastrum has small star flowers with complex centers; Calystegia has large trumpet-shaped morning-glory flowers.; vs Matelea: Both are trailing milkweed vines; check flower details or use range (Matelea extremely rare in California).
Frequently asked questions
Is Funastrum hirtellum native to California?
Yes. Funastrum hirtellum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Funastrum hirtellum bloom?
Funastrum hirtellum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Funastrum hirtellum grow?
Funastrum hirtellum occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Inyo, at elevations of 150-1200 m.
What plant family does Funastrum hirtellum belong to?
Funastrum hirtellum is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Funastrum.
What habitat does Funastrum hirtellum grow in?
Funastrum hirtellum grows in Hard desert pavement, washes.
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.