Chorizanthe breweri

Plants ascending to decumbent, (0.3–)0.5–1.5(–2) × 1–5(–7) dm, thinly pubescent. Leaves basal; petiole 1–3 cm; blade spatulate to ovate, 0.5–2 × 0.3–1.2(–1.5) cm, thinly pubescent to densely tomentose at least abaxially. Inflorescences mostly flat-topped, open to rather densely branched, greenish to reddish; bracts persistent, 2, usually leaflike at proximal nodes and similar to leaf blades, short-petiolate, oblong to ovate, 0.3–0.8 cm × 2–6 mm, becoming sessile, reduced and scalelike at distal nodes, linear, acicular, often acerose, 0.1–0.5 cm × 0.5–1 mm, awns straight, 0.5–1 mm. Involucres in open clusters with 1 at node of dichotomies, reddish, cylindric, not ventricose, 2.5–3 mm, corrugate, without scarious or membranous margins, thinly pubescent with slender curly hairs; teeth spreading, unequal, 0.4–1.2 mm with 3 longer ones more erect than 3 shorter and less-prominent ones; awns uncinate, 0.3–0.6 mm. Flowers exserted; perianth white to rose or red, usually with white lobes, cylindric, 3–3.5 mm, pubescent; tepals connate ca. 1/2 their length, monomorphic to slightly dimorphic, narrowly oblong to obovate, rounded apically, those of outer whorl usually slightly broader and longer than those of inner whorl; stamens 9, mostly included; filaments distinct, 2.5–3 mm, glabrous; anthers pink to red, oblong, 0.4–0.5 mm. Achenes brown, lenticular, 2.5–3 mm. 2n = 38.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Jul.
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky places, serpentine outcrops, mixed grassland and chaparral communities, pine-oak woodlands
Elevation: 60-800 m

Calif.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Chorizanthe breweri is found infrequently in the Coast Ranges of southwestern California.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa