Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus
Siskiyou mountains orthocarpus, Siskiyou Mountains Orthocarpus
Photo: parent species Orthocarpus cuspidatus · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus (Siskiyou mountains orthocarpus) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by Largest O. cuspidatus: stout stem, corolla 16–25 mm, beak 7–8 mm clearly projecting past lower lip — NW & Cascades.
Siskiyou mountains orthocarpus is a native annual herb found in northwestern California and the California Cascades on open, grassy to rocky slopes at elevations of 700 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces distinctive yellow to white flowers with a prominent beak 7 to 8 millimeters long, extending well beyond the lower lip. Growing with generally stout stems, it reaches a moderate height typical of annual wildflowers in meadow and rocky habitats. Its leaves and overall form contribute to its delicate presence in grassland ecosystems, with flower pouches approximately 4 to 5 millimeters deep creating an intricate structural profile. The plant's robust corolla, measuring 16 to 25 millimeters, makes it a notable component of its high-elevation mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Largest O. cuspidatus: stout stem, corolla 16–25 mm, beak 7–8 mm clearly projecting past lower lip — NW & Cascades
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, grassy to rocky slopes
Elevation: 700-2200 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Orthocarpus has closed hood hiding stamens; Castilleja has open beak you can see into from front.; vs Triphysaria: Orthocarpus has closed hood and 4-lobed cup; Triphysaria has open beak with throat fold.; vs Cordylanthus: Orthocarpus has simple closed hood; Cordylanthus has lower lip middle lobe rolled under creating bird-beak look.; vs Dicranostegia: Orthocarpus has simple closed hood; Dicranostegia has lower lip middle lobe rolled under like Cordylanthus.; vs Chloropyron: Orthocarpus found in mountains; Chloropyron found in coastal salt marshes with succulent leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus native to California?
Yes. Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus bloom?
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus belong to?
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Orthocarpus.
Is Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus rare or endangered?
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus grow in?
Orthocarpus cuspidatus subsp. cuspidatus grows in Open, grassy to rocky slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.