Lastarriaea coriacea
Leather-spineflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lastarriaea coriacea (Leather-spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Endemic genus - represents a distinct evolutionary line within California's diverse spineflower complex.
Leather-spineflower is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, central western, and southwestern California regions in sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale flowers in small clusters with distinctive hooked bracts. Growing with hairy stems 2 to 15 centimeters tall and spreading 5 to 30 centimeters wide, it forms a low, compact structure. Its narrow leaves are small, measuring 5 to 30 millimeters long and only 0.2 to 0.8 millimeters wide, creating a fine, delicate appearance. The fruit is approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters long with narrow perianth lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Endemic genus - represents a distinct evolutionary line within California's diverse spineflower complex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand or gravel
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Monterey, Calaveras, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Contra Costa, Tulare, Kern, Madera, San Benito, Kings, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Lake, Merced, Orange
Outside California: northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Lastarriaea coriacea blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Chorizanthe: Lastarriaea has leathery-textured flowers; Chorizanthe has thin, papery flowers.; vs Loeflingia: Lastarriaea has leathery buckwheat flowers with 3 spine-tipped bracts; Loeflingia is in Caryophyllaceae with 5-parted flowers.; vs Nemacaulis: Lastarriaea has 3 spine-tipped bracts; Nemacaulis has many spine-less bracts creating cottony flower heads.; vs Hollisteria: Lastarriaea has 3 stamens per flower; Hollisteria has 6-9 stamens.; vs Johanneshowellia: Lastarriaea has spine-tipped bracts; Johanneshowellia has spine-less bracts and silky hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lastarriaea coriacea native to California?
Yes. Lastarriaea coriacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lastarriaea coriacea bloom?
Lastarriaea coriacea blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Lastarriaea coriacea grow?
Lastarriaea coriacea occurs in Monterey, Calaveras, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Lastarriaea coriacea belong to?
Lastarriaea coriacea is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Lastarriaea.
What habitat does Lastarriaea coriacea grow in?
Lastarriaea coriacea grows in Common. Sand or gravel.
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.