logo Calflora, a 501c3 non-profit
Taxon  Report  
SIGN IN - REGISTER
Pholisma arenarium  Nutt. ex Hook.
Desert christmas tree,   Desert pholisma,   Dune food,   Scaly stemmed sand plant
© 2020 David Greenberger
© 2019 Matt Berger
© 2018 Peri Lee
© 2018 Christopher Stevenson
© 2020 Matt Berger
© 2017 Dee Shea Himes
© 2018 Peri Lee
© 2019 Marisa Persaud
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mel Letterman
© 2017 Thomas Egan
© 2017 Tania Asef
© 2015 Justin Luong
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2020 Joey Santore
© 2020 Joey Santore
© 2020 Joey Santore
© 2020 David Greenberger
© 2021 Meghan Lindt
© 2023 Caitlin Kreutz
© 2024 Bob Steele
© 2024 Bob Steele
© 2024 Bob Steele
© 2000 John Game
Pholisma arenarium is a perennial herb (parasitic) that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Genus: Pholisma
Family: Lennoaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Habitat: coastal

Communities: Coastal Strand, Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
PLANTSPholisma depressum
PLANTSPholisma paniculatum
Information about  Pholisma arenarium from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
Commercial availability unknown.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (PHAR5)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Parasitic, Heterotropic: It is a parasitic plant growing on the roots or of various shrubs such as burrobush, Yerba Santa, California croton, rabbitbrush, and ragweeds.[1] As a heterotroph which derives its nutrients from other plants, it lacks chlorophyll and is brownish-gray or whitish in color. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 04/09/2025).