Color may be yellow-green or red-tinged. The hair-covered white flowers occur in headlike clusters subtended by one outer leaf-like bract per flower.  The inner bract is calyx-like. Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, CA. 6-19-11. © Peter J. Bryant

Stiffbranch Bird's Beak

Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. setiger

A hairy, 1- 3 ft. sparsely leaved branching annual which is common in openings on dry slopes of chaparral and oak woodland, northern foothills and Santa Ana Mountains. 

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The linear leaves are alternate with three filiform lobes that widen towards the tip; they are often inrolled.  Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, CA.7-3-11. © Joan Avise

4-10 flowers per cluster. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

The sheath-like calyx encloses the proximal part of the 2-lipped corolla which is shaped like a bird's beak; there are 4 stamens and 1 pistil, style bent near tip, stigma exserted downward from the closed beak tip. The ovary is superior.  San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

Covered with stiff hairs. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail , Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Dark-tipped leaves. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Dove Canyon Rsvr. and Bell View Trail, 9-21-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Dove Canyon Rsvr. and Bell View Trail, 9-21-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

1-3.5 ft.high. Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, CA. 7-3-11. © Joan Avise