Sidotheca trilobata
Three-lobed starry puncturebract
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sidotheca trilobata (Three-lobed starry puncturebract) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by larger robust habit and narrow linear leaves.
Three-lobed starry puncturebract is a California native annual found in the southern Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and western desert mountains including Little San Bernardino Mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 700 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with three-lobed perianth segments, typically 2.5 to 4 millimeters long. Growing with spreading stems 7 to 50 centimeters tall and up to 6 to 11 centimeters in diameter, it forms an open, branching habit. Its narrow linear leaves measure 1 to 5 centimeters long and 0.2 to 0.7 centimeters wide, with distinctive involucre bracts featuring green to reddish teeth and short awns. The tiny fruits are 1.2 to 2 millimeters long, nestled among glandular, erect flowering branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by larger robust habit and narrow linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sand
Elevation: 700-2100 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Tulare, Orange, Ventura, Imperial
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Sidotheca trilobata blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Chorizanthe: Sidotheca has 5-6 awns per involucre and fringed petals; Chorizanthe typically has different awn counts and patterns.; vs Oxytheca: Sidotheca has fringed or 3-lobed petals; Oxytheca has smooth-edged, entire petals.; vs Acanthoscyphus: Sidotheca has 5-6 awns and fringed petals; Acanthoscyphus has 7-30+ awns and entire petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sidotheca trilobata native to California?
Yes. Sidotheca trilobata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidotheca trilobata bloom?
Sidotheca trilobata blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Sidotheca trilobata grow?
Sidotheca trilobata occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Tulare, Orange, Ventura, Imperial, at elevations of 700-2100 m.
What plant family does Sidotheca trilobata belong to?
Sidotheca trilobata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Sidotheca.
What habitat does Sidotheca trilobata grow in?
Sidotheca trilobata grows in Common. Sand.
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.