Rare Plants

Fighting Extinction, Building Understanding

SCIENCE IN SERVICE OF RARE PLANTS

California is a biodiversity hotspot with over 1,000 rare plants found nowhere else on Earth. From the tiny Santa Ynez groundstar to the 13,000-year-old Jurupa oak, California’s rare plants are a source of wonder, beauty, and ecological and cultural importance. Using CNPS’s gold-standard system of rare plant ranking and review, we equip advocates, professionals, and decision-makers with the information they need to fight extinction and make informed decisions.

Saving What Matters Most

The stakes couldn’t be higher for California’s globally significant biodiversity. See how CNPS is blending actionable science, movement building, and strategic communications to meet the moment.

Trusted Expertise

CNPS’s Rare Plant Inventory, review, and ranking system is driven by a scientifically vetted process, made possible through a community of volunteers and scientists working across the nation.

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory

The state’s authoritative resource on rare and endangered plants, used daily by professionals and advocates.

Rare Plant Ranking

A collaborative, science-driven process for evaluating the state’s imperiled flora. Learn what the different ranks mean.

Professional Subscription

Support the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory by becoming a professional subscriber today.

CNPS Rare Plant Committee

Get to know the experts advising CNPS rare plant botanists and volunteers.

Rare Plant Status Review Groups

Review teams are divided into seven regions, following the Jespon eFlora geographic subdivisions.

Botanist Certification

Training environmental professionals to strengthen the review process. See upcoming exams and how to prep.

Rare Plants of California

California is home to a stunning diversity of rare and endangered plants—swipe through the gallery to meet a few of them.

Desert mountain thistle

Cirsium arizonicum var. tenuisectum, commonly known as desert mountain thistle, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae 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 1500 to 2800 meters. Cirsium arizonicum var. tenuisectum is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Discombobulating bushmallow

Malacothamnus discombobulatus, commonly known as discombobulating bushmallow, is a perennial deciduous shrub in the Malvaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub, and Riparian woodland, growing at elevations from 150 to 710 meters. Malacothamnus discombobulatus is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

California alkali grass

Puccinellia simplex, commonly known as California alkali grass, is a annual herb in the Poaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Chenopod scrub, Meadows and seeps, Valley and foothill grassland, and Vernal pools, growing at elevations from 2 to 930 meters. Puccinellia simplex is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Saline clover

Trifolium hydrophilum, commonly known as saline clover, is an annual herb in the Fabaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, Valley and foothill grassland (mesic, alkaline), Vernal pools, growing at elevations from 0 to 300 meters. Trifolium hydrophilum is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Abrams’ oxytheca

Acanthoscyphus parishii var. abramsii, commonly known as Abrams’ oxytheca, is an annual herb in the Polygonaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (sandy, shale), growing at elevations from 1143 to 2057 meters. Acanthoscyphus parishii var. abramsii is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

California seablite

Suaeda californica, commonly known as California seablite, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Amaranthaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Marshes and swamps (coastal salt), growing at elevations from 0 to 15 meters. Suaeda californica is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Pismo clarkia

Clarkia speciosa ssp. immaculata, commonly known as Pismo clarkia, is an annual herb in the Onagraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (margins, openings), Cismontane woodland, Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 25 to 185 meters. Clarkia speciosa ssp. immaculata is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Discover CNPS Rare Plant Priorities

Defending California's Botanical Legacy

California Native Plant Society Announces New Calscape Pollinator Hub

This fall planting season, CNPS is highlighting the benefits of native plants for wildlife with new online tools and resources.

Gardening

7 Ways to Bring Biodiversity to Your Garden

Gardening with native plants brings biodiversity to your garden. But there is even more you can do—follow these 7 steps to make your garden a biodiversity powerhouse!

Conservation

Responding to the Unimaginable

An update to help you sort through the overwhelm of federal actions—and act.

Flora Magazine

Into the Wild: An Interview with Meghan Hertel

Meghan Hertel makes an immediate impact for biodiversity in her new role as director of California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife

Flora Magazine

That’s Amole

How CNPS botanists identified a rare plant bonanza in San Luis Obispo County

Flora Magazine

Flora Magazine’s Guide to Defending Public Lands

The federal administration and its congressional allies are leading an unpopular charge to privatize and exploit public lands—and they’re hoping Americans don’t notice. The good news is that it’s not too late to act, and you have more power than you might expect. Here are 24 tips, suggestions, and actions you can take to protect public lands in California.