Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii
Death valley sandpaper-plant, Death Valley Sandpaper-Plant
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Family: Loasaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii (Death valley sandpaper-plant) is a native California shrub in the Loasaceae family.
Death valley sandpaper-plant is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in northern Mojave Desert in sandy washes and dunes at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to June and September to November, this plant produces delicate flowers with stamens 4 to 7.5 millimeters long. Growing to moderate height with soft, spreading hairs covering its branches, the shrub forms a distinctive texture in its desert habitat. Its leaves are covered with rough, sandpaper-like surfaces that help the plant retain moisture in arid environments. The shrub's adaptations make it well-suited to surviving in the harsh, sandy landscapes of Death Valley and surrounding desert regions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key differentiators are hair type and stamen length
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes, dunes
Elevation: < 1200 m
Bloom period
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii blooms May-Jun, Sep--Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 thurberi subsp. gilmanii native to California?
Yes. Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii bloom?
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii blooms May-Jun, Sep--Nov.
What plant family does Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii belong to?
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii is in the Loasaceae family, genus Petalonyx.
Is Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii rare or endangered?
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii grow in?
Petalonyx thurberi subsp. gilmanii grows in Sandy washes, dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.