Plectritis macrocera
Long horn plectritis
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Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plectritis macrocera (Long horn plectritis) is a native California herb in the Valerianaceae family, recognized by spur shape, flower symmetry, and fruit color.
Long horn plectritis is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province and North Coast Ranges in open and partly shaded slopes at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers with radial symmetry and delicate, thick blunt spurs. Growing with slender stems, it forms small compact plants typically less than 30 centimeters tall. Its leaves are simple and arranged along the stem, providing a delicate backdrop to the small, subtle flowers. The fruit develops with a distinctive lengthwise groove and a white, winged structure that becomes wider and more pronounced as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by spur shape, flower symmetry, and fruit color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open, partly shaded slopes
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Placer, Kern, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Lassen, Monterey, Stanislaus, Trinity, Shasta, Santa Cruz, Amador, Ventura, Yolo, Merced, Mendocino, Contra Costa, Modoc, San Benito, Tulare, Sutter, Los Angeles, San Mateo, El Dorado, Mariposa, San Diego, Lake, San Bernardino, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Nevada, Sonoma, Calaveras, Butte, Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, Marin, Plumas, Tehama, Fresno, Glenn, Alameda, Santa Clara, Tuolumne, San Joaquin, Humboldt, Sierra, Kings, Riverside, Mono, Madera, Alpine
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Plectritis macrocera blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Valerianella: Plectritis branches simply; Valerianella forks repeatedly in a symmetrical candelabra pattern.; vs Valeriana: Plectritis is annual with simple leaves; Valeriana is perennial with fern-like compound leaves.; vs Whipplea: Plectritis has tiny spurred flowers in dense clusters; Whipplea has 5-petaled white flowers with opposite leaves.; vs Centranthus: Plectritis is a delicate annual; Centranthus is a robust perennial with bright purple-red flowers.; vs Trifolium: Plectritis has tiny tubular flowers; Trifolium has pea-family flowers with three-part clover leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plectritis macrocera native to California?
Yes. Plectritis macrocera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plectritis macrocera bloom?
Plectritis macrocera blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Plectritis macrocera grow?
Plectritis macrocera occurs in Placer, Kern, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Lassen, Monterey, Stanislaus, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Plectritis macrocera belong to?
Plectritis macrocera is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Plectritis.
What habitat does Plectritis macrocera grow in?
Plectritis macrocera grows in Common. Open, partly shaded slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.