Stylocline gnaphaloides
Everlasting neststraw
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stylocline gnaphaloides (Everlasting neststraw) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by leaf tip shape and head appearance.
Everlasting neststraw is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, Central Western California, southwestern California, and western Mojave Desert in open, sandy soil habitats at elevations up to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces small, spherical white to cream-colored flower heads that are often shiny and slightly cobwebby in appearance. Growing with slender stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters in disturbed or sandy areas. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging from 4 to 14 millimeters long, with a spoon-shaped to obovate form and blunt tips that are generally obtuse. The tiny flower heads, measuring just 3 to 6 millimeters in diameter, are characterized by winged paleae with cordate wings widest in the lower third of the structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf tip shape and head appearance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open, generally sandy soil, often old disturbances
Elevation: < 1200(1700) m
Outside California: south-central Arizona, to northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Stylocline gnaphaloides blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Logfia: Stylocline completely lacks pappus; Logfia has fluffy white bristles on both flower types.; vs Psilocarphus: Stylocline has alternate leaves (may appear whorled); Psilocarphus has truly opposite leaves.; vs Micropus: Stylocline lacks prominent petal-like bracts; Micropus has 4-6 conspicuous spoon-shaped outer bracts.; vs Eriophyllum: Stylocline forms low woolly mats; Eriophyllum has upright stems with showy yellow flowers.; vs Gnaphalium: Stylocline has tiny heads hidden in dense leaf clusters; Gnaphalium has elongated heads on visible stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stylocline gnaphaloides native to California?
Yes. Stylocline gnaphaloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stylocline gnaphaloides bloom?
Stylocline gnaphaloides blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Stylocline gnaphaloides belong to?
Stylocline gnaphaloides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stylocline.
What habitat does Stylocline gnaphaloides grow in?
Stylocline gnaphaloides grows in Common. Open, generally sandy soil, often old disturbances.
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.