Palafoxia arida var. gigantea
Giant spanish-needle
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea (Giant spanish-needle) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 1 sympatric variety; rare plant (1B.3); clear morphological and habitat differences.
Giant spanish-needle is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southeastern Imperial County in the Colorado Desert, specifically in sand dunes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in heads 10 to 20 millimeters in diameter, with large radial corollas 10 to 13 millimeters long. Growing 6 to 12 centimeters tall with nearly hairless stems, it forms an upright, open structure with relatively large flower clusters. Its leaves are 6 to 12 centimeters long, generally smooth and unadorned, arranged along the stem with a sparse, elongated appearance. The plant produces distinctive fruits 12 to 16 millimeters long, giving it a distinctive presence in the sparse desert landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric variety; rare plant (1B.3); clear morphological and habitat differences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: southwestern Arizona, Sonora
Bloom period
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Lessingia: Palafoxia fruits 10-15mm, desert perennial; Lessingia fruits 2-4mm, annual with taproot; vs Porophyllum: Porophyllum has gland-dotted leaves with strong scent; Palafoxia leaves not gland-dotted; vs Centaurea: Centaurea has ornately fringed/spiny bract tips; Palafoxia bracts simple, not spine-tipped; vs Chaenactis: Chaenactis fruits 3-9mm; Palafoxia fruits 10-15mm - check fruit size; vs Eriodictyon: Eriodictyon is woody shrub with tubular flowers; Palafoxia herbaceous with composite heads
Frequently asked questions
Is Palafoxia arida var. gigantea native to California?
Yes. Palafoxia arida var. gigantea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Palafoxia arida var. gigantea bloom?
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Palafoxia arida var. gigantea belong to?
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Palafoxia.
Is Palafoxia arida var. gigantea rare or endangered?
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Palafoxia arida var. gigantea grow in?
Palafoxia arida var. gigantea grows in Sand dunes.
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.