Mucronea californica
California spineflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Mucronea californica (California spineflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: obscurely ribbed involucres, not transversely ridged or swollen.
California spineflower is a native annual herb found in southern coastal and southwestern California in sandy habitats at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces tiny white to pale pink flowers in delicate, intricate clusters. Growing with slender stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall and spreading up to 8 centimeters wide, it forms a low, sparse ground-covering structure. Its small leaves are narrow, measuring 1 to 5 centimeters long and just 0.2 to 0.8 centimeters wide, with distinctive involucral bracts that have short awns 1 to 2.5 millimeters long. The fruit is small, measuring 2 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key features: obscurely ribbed involucres, not transversely ridged or swollen
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Kern
Bloom period
Mucronea californica blooms Mar-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Chorizanthe: Mucronea has multiple flowers per cup and obvious bracts; Chorizanthe typically has 1 flower per cup and less obvious bracts.; vs Centrostegia: Mucronea has no basal spines; Centrostegia has 3 prominent basal spines.; vs Oxytheca: Mucronea has obvious bracts below the flower cups; Oxytheca lacks conspicuous bracts.; vs Dodecahema: Mucronea has no basal spines; Dodecahema has 6 prominent basal spines.; vs Systenotheca: Mucronea has hairy flowers and obvious bracts; Systenotheca has smooth flowers and hidden bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mucronea californica native to California?
Yes. Mucronea californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mucronea californica bloom?
Mucronea californica blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Mucronea californica grow?
Mucronea californica occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Mucronea californica belong to?
Mucronea californica is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Mucronea.
Is Mucronea californica rare or endangered?
Mucronea californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, 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.