Pedicularis rigginsiae
Arroyo de la cruz lousewort
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Pedicularis rigginsiae (Arroyo de la cruz lousewort) is a native California perennial in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by maritime chaparral habitat unique.
Arroyo de la cruz lousewort is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in maritime chaparral habitats. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces delicate pink to rose-purple flowers 13 to 23 millimeters long, with a distinctive downward-bent upper lip. Growing 6 to 30 centimeters tall with soft stems, it forms a compact herb with intricate growth. Its basal leaves are 5 to 14 centimeters long, featuring 28 to 38 densely packed narrow segments that are triangular to linear and intricately double-toothed. The small fruit measures 6 to 7 millimeters long, with seeds featuring a netted surface texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; maritime chaparral habitat unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: Maritime chaparral
Bloom period
Pedicularis rigginsiae blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Leaves deeply dissected and fern-like with 7+ lobes, not simple or few-lobed.; vs Phacelia: Flowers have closed hood concealing stamens, not open bell/funnel shape.; vs Anigozanthos: Upper lip forms distinctive elephant-head hood, leaves deeply divided fern-like.; vs Melaleuca: Herbaceous perennial with hooded flowers, not woody shrub with brush-like blooms.; vs Achillea: Flowers individually hooded and two-lipped, not tiny in flat-topped clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pedicularis rigginsiae native to California?
Yes. Pedicularis rigginsiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pedicularis rigginsiae bloom?
Pedicularis rigginsiae blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Pedicularis rigginsiae belong to?
Pedicularis rigginsiae is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Pedicularis.
Is Pedicularis rigginsiae rare or endangered?
Pedicularis rigginsiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Pedicularis rigginsiae grow in?
Pedicularis rigginsiae grows in Maritime chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pedicularis semibarbata — Bearded lousewort
- Pedicularis sp. — Lousewort
- Pedicularis attollens — Little elephant's head
- Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida — Yellowish lousewort
- Pedicularis centranthera — Great basin lousewort
- Pedicularis contorta — Curved-beak lousewort
- Phelipanche ramosa
- Phelipanche sp. — Broomrape
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.