Pseudorontium cyathiferum
Deep canyon snapdragon, Deep Canyon Snapdragon
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Pseudorontium cyathiferum (Deep canyon snapdragon) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Only Pseudorontium species in CA, extremely localized endemic to Deep Canyon with unique fruit and seed morphology.
Deep canyon snapdragon is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in western Colorado Desert section in Deep Canyon, Riverside County, in washes and rocky slopes at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces cream and purple flowers 8 to 9 millimeters long with distinctive purple veining and a swollen lower lip. Growing with erect, self-supporting stems 1 to 70 centimeters tall that are coarsely branched throughout, it develops a glandular-sticky-hairy appearance. Its leaves are mostly alternate, gradually reducing in size up the stem, with ovate blades 2.5 to 40 millimeters long and pinnate venation. The fruit is nearly spherical, spreading or pendant at maturity, with chambers that open by irregular bursting near the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Pseudorontium species in CA, extremely localized endemic to Deep Canyon with unique fruit and seed morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, rocky slopes
Elevation: < 800 m
Outside California: southern Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Pseudorontium cyathiferum blooms Jan-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Mohavea: Pseudorontium has a swollen lower lip closing the throat; Mohavea has an open throat with visible stamens.; vs Digitalis: Pseudorontium flowers are tiny (8-9mm) desert annuals; Digitalis has huge 40-60mm bells on tall spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pseudorontium cyathiferum native to California?
Yes. Pseudorontium cyathiferum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pseudorontium cyathiferum bloom?
Pseudorontium cyathiferum blooms Jan-Apr.
What plant family does Pseudorontium cyathiferum belong to?
Pseudorontium cyathiferum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Pseudorontium.
Is Pseudorontium cyathiferum rare or endangered?
Pseudorontium cyathiferum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Pseudorontium cyathiferum grow in?
Pseudorontium cyathiferum grows in Washes, rocky slopes.
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.