Stylocline intertexta
Mojave neststraw, Mojave Neststraw
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stylocline intertexta (Mojave neststraw) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by largest head size and leaf-to-head ratio.
Mojave neststraw is a California native annual found in northern and eastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert regions in open, stable, rocky or sandy soils at elevations of 40 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces tiny white to cream-colored flowers in compact, woolly spherical heads approximately 5 to 6 millimeters in diameter. Growing low to the ground with slender stems 2 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, compact clusters. Its leaves are elliptic to oblanceolate, with the largest distal leaves 4 to 11 millimeters long and 1 to 2.5 millimeters wide, tapering to acute, mucronate tips. The fruit is small and compressed, with 1 to 4 fine pappus bristles measuring 1.1 to 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by largest head size and leaf-to-head ratio
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, stable, rocky or sandy, often calcareous soils, rock bases, drip lines, dry drainages
Elevation: 40-1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western-most Arizona
Bloom period
Stylocline intertexta blooms Feb-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 intertexta native to California?
Yes. Stylocline intertexta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stylocline intertexta bloom?
Stylocline intertexta blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Stylocline intertexta grow?
Stylocline intertexta occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of 40-1400 m.
What plant family does Stylocline intertexta belong to?
Stylocline intertexta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stylocline.
What habitat does Stylocline intertexta grow in?
Stylocline intertexta grows in Open, stable, rocky or sandy, often calcareous soils, rock bases, drip lines, dry drainages.
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.