[Birdbeaks: The Genus Cordylanthus East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak

Cordylanthus capitatus

Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis

Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis) - Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

Clustered bird's beak blooming along Forest Road #39 several miles south of the junction with Forest Road #3965, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area......June 11, 2018.
Characteristics:

Clustered bird's beak is an annual wildflower from 10 to 60 cm in height. It is somewhat branched, with the leaves primarily on the stems. Individual leaves are long and thin with pointed tips, or appear like three-pronged forks. The margins of the "tines" are entire. The leaves measure from 1.5-4 cm in length.

The inflorescences are found at the tip of the main stem and at the tips of the branches. Individual inflorescences are usually two to five flowered. The calyx tends to be purplish as is the corolla. The lower calyx is almost as long as the corolla (10 to 15 mm in length), while the upper calyx is somewhat shorter and tipped with two teeth.

Habitat:

Clustered bird's beak is found on open slopes and in dry woods from the lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains. It is often found in sagebrush.

Range:

Clustered bird's beak is found from Kittitas County, Washington east to southwestern Montana and south to northeastern Nevada and northeastern California.

Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis) - Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis) - Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

Clustered bird's beak as seen at left on balds along the first mile or so of the Lick Creek Trail #1809, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area......August 11, 2018. The photos at center and at right show clustered bird's beak as seen on balds along the first mile or so of the Lick Creek Trail #1809, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area......July 17, 2019.

Inflorescence of Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis) - Clustered Bird's Beak, Yakima Birdbeak, Yakima Bird's-beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

Clustered bird's beak in blooom along the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 on the southwestern slopes of Twelvemile Peak, Fremont-Winema National Forest.....July 16, 2022. The bracts are 3-lobed which help identify this species.

Inflorescence of Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis) - Sideview of the flower of Cordylanthus captiatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

Close-up images of the capitate inflorescence of clustered bird's beak. Photographed at the base of Lookout Mt. to the east of Mt. Hood..........August 2, 2008.

Leaf of Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

This photo shows a close-up of the three-lobed leaf of clustered bird's beak. Photographed at the base of Lookout Mt. to the east of Mt. Hood...........August 2, 2008.

Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

This photo showsupper stem leaves of clustered bird's beak. Photographed at the base of Lookout Mt. to the east of Mt. Hood..........August 2, 2008.

Inflorescence of Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

This photo shows another close-up of the capitate inflorescence of clustered bird's beak. Photographed at the base of Lookout Mt. to the east of Mt. Hood...........August 2, 2008.

Clustered Bird's Beak: Cordylanthus capitatus (Synonym: Cordylanthus nevadensis)

This photo shows clustered bird's beak in hot, dry ground at the base of Lookout Mt. to the east of Mt. Hood..........August 2, 2008.
Paul Slichter