Species Details

Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens

Monterey spineflower

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Species Description:

Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens, commonly known as Monterey spineflower, is a annual herb in the Polygonaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (maritime), Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 3 to 450 meters. Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Scientific Name:
Chorizanthe pungens Benth. var. pungens
Common Name:
Monterey spineflower
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN040M2
USDA Plants Symbol: CHPUP3
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status: JEP, FNA, POWO,
IPNI, Tropicos
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun(Jul-Aug)
JFMAMJJASOND
Elevation:
3 - 450 meters
10 - 1475 feet
General Habitats:
  • Chaparral (maritime)
  • Cismontane woodland
  • Coastal dunes
  • Coastal scrub
  • Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat Details:
Microhabitat:
  • Sandy
Notes:
Collected in SLO Co. only once (1842). See Phytologia 66(2):123-125 (1989) for taxonomic treatment, and Fremontia 24(4):8-11 (1996) for taxonomic discussion.
Threats:
Threatened by foot traffic, urbanization, recreational development and activities, agriculture, military activities, and non-native plants. Possibly threatened by road construction.
Taxonomy:
See C. pungens in The Jepson Manual.
Threat List Total: 12
Total EOs % of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed: 29 57 %
THREAT LIST:
Development 15 29%
Other 12 23%
Non-native plant impacts 11 21%
ORV activity 5 9%
Foot traffic/trampling 5 9%
Total Occurrences: 51
Element Occurrence Ranks:
A B C D X U
6 12 6 2 3 22
Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years 26
Recent <=20 Years 25
Presence:
Presumed Extant 48
Possibly Extirpated 2
Presumed Extirpated 1
California Endemic:
California Island:
States: Name (Code)
California (CA)
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), San Luis Obispo (SLO)*, Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Espinosa Canyon (3612111), Laurel (3712118), Loma Prieta (3712117), Marina (3612167), Monterey (3612158), Moss Landing (3612177), Prunedale (3612176), Salinas (3612166), San Ardo (3612018), San Juan Bautista (3612175), San Lucas (3612121), San Simeon (3512162)*, Seaside (3612157), Soledad (3612143), Spreckels (3612156), Watsonville East (3612186), Watsonville West (3612187)
Notes:
Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
* Presumed extirpated
(?) Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.
Presumed Extant
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