Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta
Sierra milkwort
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Family: Polygalaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta (Sierra milkwort) is a native California shrub in the Polygalaceae family, recognized by . Key features: leaf width ratio, cream/greenish wings vs dark pink.
Sierra milkwort is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, and western Modoc Plateau in moist to dry, open areas of chaparral, woodland, and conifer forest at elevations of 150 to 1,830 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces cream to green or pink flowers with upper sepals that are generally acute or acuminate. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 10 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive subshrub with varied growth habits. Its leaves are typically twice as long as they are wide, with subtle variations in shape and orientation. The plant is characterized by densely puberulent wings and a delicate floral structure that reflects its adaptability to diverse mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species. Key features: leaf width ratio, cream/greenish wings vs dark pink
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist to dry, open areas in chaparral, woodland, conifer forest, occasionally on serpentine
Elevation: 150-1830 m
California counties: Fresno, Placer, Trinity, Siskiyou, Butte, Amador, Shasta, Nevada, Tulare, Tuolumne, Marin, Tehama, Humboldt, Sierra, El Dorado, Calaveras, Madera, Plumas, San Diego, Ventura, Yuba, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Modoc, Mariposa, Del Norte, Colusa
Bloom period
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta blooms May-Sep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta native to California?
Yes. Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta bloom?
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta grow?
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta occurs in Fresno, Placer, Trinity, Siskiyou, Butte, Amador, Shasta, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 150-1830 m.
What plant family does Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta belong to?
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta is in the Polygalaceae family, genus Rhinotropis.
What habitat does Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta grow in?
Rhinotropis cornuta var. cornuta grows in Moist to dry, open areas in chaparral, woodland, conifer forest, occasionally on serpentine.
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.