Hemitomes congestum
Coneplant
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hemitomes congestum (Coneplant) is a native California herb in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Unique parasitic genus in the heath family, extending from British Columbia south through California's forested regions.
Coneplant is a native perennial found in northern coastal California, Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in mixed and conifer forests at elevations of 30 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this unusual plant produces cream or pink flowers in dense clusters emerging directly from the ground, with flowers 2 to 10 centimeters tall. Growing as a non-green, fleshy perennial with brittle rhizomes, it lacks visible stems or leaves above ground. Its flowers are distinctive, with a cylindric to flask-shaped corolla densely hairy inside, featuring 4 partially fused petals and 8 hairy stamens. The plant produces small berries less than one centimeter long, containing numerous ovate seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Unique parasitic genus in the heath family, extending from British Columbia south through California's forested regions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Mixed or conifer forests
Elevation: 30-2700 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Hemitomes congestum blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Pleuricospora: Hemitomes has fused tubular petals; Pleuricospora has separate petals.; vs Pityopus: Hemitomes flowers smooth and fused into tubes; Pityopus flowers separate and hairy inside.; vs Sarcodes: Hemitomes is cone-shaped and pinkish; Sarcodes is cylindrical and bright red.; vs Pterospora: Hemitomes produces fleshy berries; Pterospora has dry capsules.; vs Allotropa: Hemitomes has fused tubular flowers; Allotropa has separate petals with protruding stamens and stripes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hemitomes congestum native to California?
Yes. Hemitomes congestum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hemitomes congestum bloom?
Hemitomes congestum blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Hemitomes congestum belong to?
Hemitomes congestum is in the Ericaceae family, genus Hemitomes.
What habitat does Hemitomes congestum grow in?
Hemitomes congestum grows in Uncommon. Mixed or conifer forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.