• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

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  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

San Francisco Spineflower

(Chorizanthe cuspidata)
 
San Francisco Spineflower
Spineflower populations are stable due to areas that were seeded at Crissy Field, Lobos Creek Valley, and Baker Beach.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Chorizanthe is Greek for "divided flower."

Presidio Locations: Found throughout inland sand dunes.

Range In State: San Francisco Bay area.

Description: This rare, native annual species has small, hairy, white to rose colored flowers. The stem is soft and hairy and often prostrate. San Francisco Spineflower is an early dune colonizer, dependent on having open sandy habitat for establishment. Blooms June to August.

Wildflower main page

 

Did You Know?

U.S. Army major rank insignia

In 1915, a tragic fire at the Presidio  claimed the lives of General Pershing’s wife and his three daughters.  Pershing's son, Francis Warren, survived the blaze and chose to enlist in the army as a private during World War II.  By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of major.