Chorizanthe robusta is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family. It is endemic to California, where it is a rare, federally listed endangered species.
Description Chorizanthe robusta is variable in form, growing decumbent or erect and reaching a maximum length of half a meter. It is grayish in color and hairy. The inflorescence is made up of several flowers with each flower surrounded by white or pink bracts with hooked tips. The flower itself is just a few millimeters long and white to pink in color.
Varieties It is composed of two varieties: var. robusta, known generally as the robust spineflower, which is known only from southern Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties,Flora of North America: var. robusta var. hartwegii, the Scotts Valley spineflower, which is known from a few locations in Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County.Flora of North America: var. hartwegii
The plant is closely related to Chorizanthe pungens, another rare endemic from the area.
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment: Chorizanthe robusta The Nature Conservancy: C. robusta Photo gallery: C.robusta var. hartwegii