San Fernando spineflower

Chorizanthe fernandina S. Watson in W. H. Brewer et al., Bot. California 2: 481. 1880

Involucral awns straight.

Flowering Apr-Jun. Sandy places on foothills, mixed grass-land and chaparral communities; of conservation concern; 90-500 m; Calif.

Variety fernandina was thought to be extinct until two small populations were found on Laskey Mesa in Ventura County and on Grapevine Mesa in Los Angeles County. The first site consists of some 14 subpopulations in a sparsely vegetated, undisturbed area. The second site, found in 2000, has a single population. The species otherwise was last collected in Los Angeles County in 1929. A single collection (Geis 541, DS) was supposedly gathered near Santa Ana, Orange County, in 1902. San Fernando spineflower has been proposed for federal listing as an endangered species.