Rhinotropis californica

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Rhinotropis californica, the California milkwort, is a flowering plant in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae). It grows in southwestern Oregon and northern and central California, especially in coastal mountain ranges with habitats like chaparral and forests.

This is a perennial herb with spreading, often decumbent stems up to about 35 cm long. It has narrow oval leaves a few centimeters long. The plant produces upper inflorescences with several open flowers, and there may be some closed, self-pollinating flowers lower on the stem.

Open flowers have pink or white winglike lateral sepals with hairy edges. The petals are similar in color, and the central petal is tipped with a white or yellow beak.

The fruit is a flattened green capsule up to 1 cm long, containing hairy seeds.