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desert bird's-beak

Scientific Name: Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. eremicus

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Desert Bird's Beak

The Desert Bird's Beak is an intriguing plant found in specific desert environments. The information below offers a botanical overview of this fascinating species.

Considerations for Pets

  • As an annual herb, Desert Bird's Beak may have small parts that could pose a potential choking hazard to pets if ingested.
  • This plant is hemiparasitic, meaning it obtains some nutrients from other plants. The nature and effects of these interactions, and any resulting compounds within the Desert Bird's Beak, are not fully detailed in the provided text and are worth further investigation if you have pets that may interact with the plant.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Cordylanthus eremicus
  • Common Name: Desert Bird's Beak, Kern Bird's Beak, Kern Plateau Bird's Beak
  • Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family), also listed as Scrophulariaceae in one instance.
  • Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies (e.g., Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. eremicus, Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. kernensis)
  • Synonyms:
    • Cordylanthus eremicus (Coville & Morton) Munz
    • Cordylanthus eremicus (Coville & C.V. Morton) Munz

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to western North America, specifically California.
  • Found in desert habitats.
  • The subspecies Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. kernensis is native to the Kern Plateau.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Annual herb (hemiparasitic).
  • Size: 20-25cm long.

Ecology

  • The plant is hemiparasitic, meaning it obtains some nutrients from other plants.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Mentioned in the context of birds using their beaks to chisel into cactus stems to find insects, implying the plant may indirectly provide habitat or resources for insects.

Resources

  • Discover Life: Has a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Cordylanthus eremicus.
  • BISON: BISON Web Link
  • ITIS: ITIS Web Link (link not provided in full, but the reference is mentioned).
  • UCSB Species Distribution Model, CA Desert: Provides distribution data.