Stylocline sonorensis
Mesquite neststraw
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2A
Stylocline sonorensis (Mesquite neststraw) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by extirpated; distinguished by mixed leaf tip shapes and leaf width.
Mesquite neststraw is a rare (CNPS 2A) California native annual found in the Sonoran Desert in sandy drainages around Hayfield, Riverside County at elevations around 400 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces tiny white to cream-colored flower heads nearly spherical and woolly, approximately 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with delicate stems 2 to 10 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters. Its leaves are distinctive, with proximal leaves obtuse and distal leaves acute, ranging 3 to 10 millimeters long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide, approximately elliptic to narrowly ovate. The fruit is small, compressed laterally, with 3 to 8 disk pappus bristles measuring 0.9 to 1.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; extirpated; distinguished by mixed leaf tip shapes and leaf width
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy drainages with
Elevation: +- 400 m.
Outside California: southeastern Arizona, northeastern Sonora
Bloom period
Stylocline sonorensis blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2A
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 sonorensis native to California?
Yes. Stylocline sonorensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stylocline sonorensis bloom?
Stylocline sonorensis blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Stylocline sonorensis belong to?
Stylocline sonorensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stylocline.
Is Stylocline sonorensis rare or endangered?
Stylocline sonorensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2A, state rank SX.
What habitat does Stylocline sonorensis grow in?
Stylocline sonorensis grows in Sandy drainages with.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Stylocline sp. — Neststraw
- Stylocline citroleum — Oil neststraw
- Stylocline gnaphaloides — Everlasting neststraw
- Stylocline intertexta — Mojave neststraw
- Stylocline masonii — Mason's neststraw
- Stylocline micropoides — Desert neststraw
- Symphyotrichum ascendens — Western aster
- Symphyotrichum bracteolatum — Eaton's aster
- Symphyotrichum campestre — Western meadow aster
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.