Taxon Report

Cordylanthus capitatus Benth.

Yakima bird's-beak

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Cordylanthus capitatus, commonly known as Yakima bird's-beak, is a annual herb (hemiparasitic) in the Orobanchaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Great Basin scrub, Lower montane coniferous forest, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 1800 to 2377 meters. Cordylanthus capitatus is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Cordylanthus capitatus Benth.
Common Name:	Yakima bird's-beak
Family:	Orobanchaceae
Element Code:	PDSCR0J030
USDA Plants Symbol:	COCA7
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb (hemiparasitic)
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep	Jul-Sep
Elevation:	1800-2377 (5905-7800)
General Habitats:	Great Basin scrub, Lower montane coniferous forest, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	9
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	3
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Modoc (MOD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cedarville (4112052), Davis Creek (4112063), Fort Bidwell (4112072), Lake Annie (4112081), Mt. Bidwell (4112082), Payne Peak (4112053), Sugar Hill (4112073), Warren Peak (4112042)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	4
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	7	78 %
Grazing	4	44%
Logging	2	22%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	2	22%
ORV activity	1	11%

Notes



Possibly threatened by grazing, trampling, foot traffic, recreational activities, and vehicles. See Systematic Botany Monographs 10:69-73 (1986) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 October 2025].