Matelea parvifolia
Spearleaf
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Matelea parvifolia (Spearleaf) is a native California shrub in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by Rare desert species; distinctive floral morphology with inter-coronal teeth unique within California milkweed family.
Spearleaf is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Sonoran Desert bioregion in dry rocky areas at elevations of 700 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces green to purple flowers with distinctive acute, turned-out teeth between corolla lobes. Growing with slender, much-branched stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate, intricate structure. Its leaves are notably small, with blade sizes generally less than one centimeter long. The plant produces distinctive fruits approximately 7 centimeters long with fine longitudinal grooves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Rare desert species; distinctive floral morphology with inter-coronal teeth unique within California milkweed family
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry rocky areas
Elevation: 700-1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial
Outside California: to Nevada, Texas, Baja California
Bloom period
Matelea parvifolia blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Araujia: Matelea has appendages fused into a cup; Araujia has separate appendages with gaps.; vs Asclepias: Matelea appendages form a unified cup; Asclepias has five separate hoods.; vs Funastrum: Matelea appendages fused into plate; Funastrum has separate hollow appendages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Matelea parvifolia native to California?
Yes. Matelea parvifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Matelea parvifolia bloom?
Matelea parvifolia blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Matelea parvifolia grow?
Matelea parvifolia occurs in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, at elevations of 700-1000 m.
What plant family does Matelea parvifolia belong to?
Matelea parvifolia is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Matelea.
Is Matelea parvifolia rare or endangered?
Matelea parvifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.