Diagnostic Characteristics
A suite of inflorescence characters most readily set this species apart from other members of the genus. These include (1) orientation of the inflorescence axes (in this species, inflorescence is geniculate, bent ± 60-90° relative to subtending stem and thus arching or spreading), (2) size, shape, and orientation of the floral bracts (in this species, bracts are foliaceous, sessile, ascending, broadly ovate to suborbicular, 2.5-8 cm, generally longer than subtended flower and not strongly reduced in size distally, therefore appearing imbricate towards apex of inflorescence), and (3) the degree to which these bracts are reduced apically (Boyd and Mistretta 2006).
Habitat
According to Boyd and Mistretta (2006), associated with chaparral vegetation characterized by a mix of shrubs. Generally associated with relatively open areas, often appearing in greatest abundance following wildland fire, or at least temporarily, in areas affected by anthropogenic disturbance, such as fuel breaks and road cuts. Within mature stands of chaparral, the species is largely limited to small natural openings. Generally found on north- to northeast-facing slopes, and on adjacent portions of ridgelines. Substrates include fine-grained, reddish, nonmarine and marine sedimentary rocks of various ages and volcanics. Co-occurring species include Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook. & Arn., Cercocarpus betuloides Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray, Clematis lasiantha Nutt., Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth. var. nigrescens Brand, Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. foliolosum (Nutt.) S. Stokes ex Abrams, Eriophyllum confertiflorum (DC.) A. Gray, Fraxinus dipetala Hook. & Arn., Quercus berberidifolia Liebm., Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roem., Keckiella cordifolia (Benth.) Straw, Rhamnus ilicifolia Kellogg, Ribes malvaceum Sm., and Solanum xanti A. Gray. 300 - 800 m.