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soft bird's-beak

Scientific Name: Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names: CA (soft bird's-beak)

       

Soft Bird's-Beak (Cordylanthus mollis)

Cordylanthus mollis, commonly known as soft bird's-beak, is a fascinating plant endemic to California. This annual herb plays a significant role in its native salt marsh habitat, although its endangered status highlights its vulnerability.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is also referred to as Soft Bird's-Beak in resources intended for children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cordylanthus mollis A. Gray
  • Common Name: Soft bird's-beak
  • Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species, Subspecies (Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis)
  • Synonyms: Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis, Chloropyron molle (A. Gray) A. Heller

Distribution and Habitat

  • Endemic to California.
  • Predominantly found in the upper reaches of salt grass/pickleweed marshes at or near the limits of tidal action.
  • Specific locations mentioned include Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano counties in California.

Ecological Role

  • Designated critical habitat suggests its importance in the ecosystem.
  • Periodic habitat disturbance is critical to its persistence.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Classified as a dicot.
  • Annual herb (hemiparasitic).
  • Described as a gray-green annual herb.
  • Growth habit: Forb/herb

Conservation Status

  • Listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species List.
  • Classified as endangered in California.
  • California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere - Fairly threatened in California.

Further Information

  • USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
  • CDFW BIOS GIS Dataset, Contact: Cheryl Hickam.
  • Encyclopedia of Life.
  • Center for Plant Conservation: centerforplantconservation.org