Stillingia spinulosa
Annual stillingia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stillingia spinulosa (Annual stillingia) is a native California herb in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by leaf shape and inflorescence position clearly diagnostic.
Annual stillingia is a California native perennial found in the Desert bioregion in sandy soils, dunes, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to greenish flowers in compact axillary inflorescences. Growing to less than one meter tall with erect, branching stems, it develops a distinctive herbaceous structure. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate, sharply toothed, and typically 2 to 4 centimeters long with blades 5 to 12 millimeters wide. The fruit is approximately 4 to 5 millimeters long with distinctive striate seeds that are minutely roughened.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; leaf shape and inflorescence position clearly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, dunes, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, Ventura
Outside California: southern Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Stillingia spinulosa blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Dalea: Stillingia has milky sap; dalea has clear sap and pea-like flowers.; vs Acmispon: Stillingia has simple leaves; lotus has compound leaves with 3-9 leaflets.; vs Eriogonum: Stillingia has milky sap; buckwheat has clear watery sap.; vs Oligomeris: Stillingia has smooth leaves; oligomeris has fleshy succulent leaves.; vs Gutierrezia: Stillingia has milky sap; snakeweed has resinous sticky sap and yellow flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stillingia spinulosa native to California?
Yes. Stillingia spinulosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stillingia spinulosa bloom?
Stillingia spinulosa blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Stillingia spinulosa grow?
Stillingia spinulosa occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, Ventura, at elevations of < 900 m.
What plant family does Stillingia spinulosa belong to?
Stillingia spinulosa is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Stillingia.
What habitat does Stillingia spinulosa grow in?
Stillingia spinulosa grows in Sandy soils, dunes, creosote-bush scrub.
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.