Stylocline masonii
Mason's neststraw
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Stylocline masonii (Mason's neststraw) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by fusiform heads and very small, narrow leaves.
Mason's neststraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, southern San Joaquin Valley, South Coast Ranges, and Western Transverse Ranges in open loose sandy washes and flats at elevations of 100 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces small white to cream-colored flower heads that are compact and fusiform in shape. Growing as a diminutive plant just 1 to 7 centimeters tall with slender stems, it forms low, sparse clusters in sandy terrain. Its leaves are small and narrow, with the largest distal leaves measuring 2 to 5 millimeters long and approximately 1 millimeter wide, appearing oblong to narrowly elliptic. The plant produces tiny compressed fruits about 1 millimeter long, with occasional delicate pappus bristles emerging from the disk flower.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by fusiform heads and very small, narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open loose sand of washes and flats
Elevation: 100-1200 m
Bloom period
Stylocline masonii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 masonii native to California?
Yes. Stylocline masonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stylocline masonii bloom?
Stylocline masonii blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Stylocline masonii belong to?
Stylocline masonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stylocline.
Is Stylocline masonii rare or endangered?
Stylocline masonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Stylocline masonii grow in?
Stylocline masonii grows in Open loose sand of washes and flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.