Taxon Report

Chorizanthe parryi Wats. var. fernandina (Wats.) Jeps.

San Fernando Valley spineflower

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Taxon Summary

Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina, commonly known as San Fernando Valley spineflower, is a annual herb in the Polygonaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Coastal scrub (sandy), and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 150 to 1220 meters. Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Chorizanthe parryi Wats. var. fernandina (Wats.) Jeps.
Common Name:
San Fernando Valley spineflower
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN040J1
USDA Plants Symbol: CHPAF
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul Apr-Jul
Elevation: 150-1220 (490-4005)
General Habitats: Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 21
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 9
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 9
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), Orange (ORA)*, Ventura (VEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Black Star Canyon (3311776), Burbank (3411823)*, Calabasas (3411826), Canoga Park (3411825), Lake Hughes (3411864)*, Newhall (3411845), Oat Mountain (3411835)*, San Fernando (3411834)*, Sunland (3411833)*, Val Verde (3411846), Van Nuys (3411824)*, Venice (3311884)*, Warm Springs Mountain (3411855), Whitaker Peak (3411856)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 9
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
17 81 %
Development 17 80%
Non-native plant impacts 3 14%
Road/trail construction/maint. 3 14%
Agriculture 3 14%
Vandalism/dumping/litter 1 4%
ORV activity 1 4%
Other 1 4%
Erosion/runoff 1 4%
Grazing 1 4%

Notes

Rediscovered in 1999. Most historical habitat is now heavily urbanized. Seriously threatened by development and non-native plants. See Botany of California 2:481 (1880) for original description, Phytologia 66(2):147-149 (1989) for taxonomic treatment, and Madrono 48(2):78 (2001) for rediscovery.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 January 2025].