Petalonyx nitidus
Shiny leaf sandpaper plant
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Petalonyx nitidus (Shiny leaf sandpaper plant) is a native California shrub in the Loasaceae family.
Shiny leaf sandpaper plant is a California native shrub found in western Inyo, Death Mountains, and western Death Mojave bioregions in sandy washes, rocky canyons, creosote-bush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 725 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces cream-colored flowers with petals 5 to 11 millimeters long, featuring distinctive exserted stamens. Growing 15 to 45 centimeters tall with an upright form, it develops a compact and structured appearance. Its leaves are generally ovate, 15 to 40 millimeters long, with serrated edges and a pointed tip that tapers widely toward the base. The plant's intricate flower structure includes narrow bracts and well-extended stamens, creating a delicate and distinctive botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key differentiators are elevation, leaf size/shape, and petal length
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes or rocky canyons, creosote-bush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 725-2100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Nevada
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Petalonyx nitidus blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Ambrosia: Petalonyx has showy white 5-petaled flowers; Ambrosia has tiny greenish flowers in heads.; vs Atriplex: Petalonyx has 5-petaled flowers; Atriplex has no petals, only sepals.; vs Eriastrum: Petalonyx has 5 stamens and woody stems; Eriastrum has many stamens and herbaceous stems.; vs Galium: Petalonyx has 5-petaled flowers; Galium has 4-petaled flowers in whorls.; vs Eucnide: Petalonyx is a woody shrub; Eucnide is an annual herb.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petalonyx nitidus native to California?
Yes. Petalonyx nitidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Petalonyx nitidus bloom?
Petalonyx nitidus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Petalonyx nitidus grow?
Petalonyx nitidus occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Nevada, at elevations of 725-2100 m.
What plant family does Petalonyx nitidus belong to?
Petalonyx nitidus is in the Loasaceae family, genus Petalonyx.
What habitat does Petalonyx nitidus grow in?
Petalonyx nitidus grows in Sandy washes or rocky canyons, creosote-bush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.