Taxon Report

Cordylanthus parviflorus (Ferris) Wiggins

small-flowered bird's-beak

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Cordylanthus parviflorus, commonly known as small-flowered bird's-beak, is a annual herb (hemiparasitic) in the Orobanchaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Joshua tree "woodland", Mojavean desert scrub, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 700 to 2200 meters. Cordylanthus parviflorus is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Cordylanthus parviflorus (Ferris) Wiggins
Common Name:	small-flowered bird's-beak
Family:	Orobanchaceae
Element Code:	PDSCR0J0K0
USDA Plants Symbol:	COPA9
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb (hemiparasitic)
Blooming Period: Aug-Oct	Aug-Oct
Elevation:	700-2200 (2295-7220)
General Habitats:	Joshua tree "woodland", Mojavean desert scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.3
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	20
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	20

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Castle Peaks (3511532), Columbia Mtn. (3511514), Fountain Peak (3411585), Grotto Hills (3511522), Ivanpah (3511533), Mid Hills (3511524), Pinto Valley (3511523)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes



See Systematic Botany Monographs 10:75-77 (1986) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 25 November 2025].