Glossopetalon pungens

Pungent glossopetalon, Pungent Glossopetalon

Family: Crossosomataceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Pungent glossopetalon is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the Clark Mountain Range, on limestone cliffs at elevations of 1,700 to 2,075 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers with 10 stamens and acuminate sepals that have spine-tipped edges. Growing as a low, matted plant 5 to 20 centimeters tall with a compact, spreading growth habit, it forms dense ground-covering clusters. Its leaves are narrow and distinctive, measuring 6 to 10 millimeters long, with narrow-elliptic to oblanceolate shapes and prominently visible veins on the underside. The plant produces a single light brown seed less than 1 millimeter in size, adapted to its harsh desert mountain environment.

Habitat: Limestone cliffs

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 1700-2075 m

Bioregions: e DMtns (Clark Mtn Range)

California counties: San Bernardino

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.