Taxon Report

Chorizanthe robusta Parry var. robusta

robust spineflower

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Species Description:
Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta, commonly known as robust spineflower, is a annual herb in the Polygonaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (maritime), Cismontane woodland (openings), Coastal dunes, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 3 to 300 meters. Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Chorizanthe robusta Parry var. robusta
Common Name:
robust spineflower
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN040Q2
USDA Plants Symbol: CHROR
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Sep Apr-Sep
Elevation: 3-300 (10-985)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat: Gravelly (sometimes), Sandy (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 20
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 5
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 5
   Unknown (U) 6
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Alameda (ALA)*, San Francisco (SFO), San Mateo (SMT)*, Santa Clara (SCL)*, Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Calaveras Reservoir (3712147), Felton (3712211), Laurel (3712118)*, Los Gatos (3712128)*, Milpitas (3712148), Moss Landing (3612177), Oakland East (3712272)*, Oakland West (3712273), San Francisco South (3712264)*, San Jose East (3712137), San Jose West (3712138)*, San Leandro (3712262), Santa Cruz (3612281), Soquel (3612188), Watsonville West (3612187)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 8
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
16 80 %
Development 7 35%
Non-native plant impacts 5 25%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 5 25%
Other 3 15%
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 10%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 1 5%
ORV activity 1 5%
Logging 1 5%

Notes

Most populations extirpated, and now known from only six extended occurrences. Threatened by development, recreation, mining, and non-native plants. See C. robusta in The Jepson Manual. See Phytologia 66(2):130-131 (1989) for taxonomic treatment, and Fremontia 24(4):8-11 (1996) for taxonomic discussion.
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 21 January 2025].