San Francisco spineflower

Plants decumbent to prostrate, 0.5-1.5 × 0.5-10 dm. Leaf blades 0.5-2(-2.5) × 0.3-0.7 cm. Involucres 1-2 mm, with or without pinkish, thin, scarious margins, awns uncinate apically. Flowers 2-2.5 mm. Achenes 2-2.5 mm.

Flowering Apr-Jul. Sandy places, coastal scrub communities, oak woodlands; of conservation concern; 0-300 m; Calif.

Variety cuspidata is localized in the greater San Francisco area, where it is rapidly becoming rare due to increased development. No collections of San Francisco spineflower have been made in Marin or Alameda counties since 1881. Populations may still be seen in San Mateo County, but their numbers have decreased greatly since the 1950s.