Taxon Details

Spermolepis gigantea

desert scaleseed

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Taxon Summary:

Spermolepis gigantea, commonly known as desert scaleseed, is a annual herb in the Apiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Sonoran desert scrub, growing at elevations from 400 to 400 meters. Spermolepis gigantea is ranked 1A, Plants Presumed Extirpated in California and Either Rare or Extinct Elsewhere.

Classification

Scientific Name: Spermolepis gigantea (J.M. Coult. & Rose) G.L. Nesom
Common Name: desert scaleseed
Family:	Apiaceae
Element Code:	PDAPI05020
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names: Ammoselinum giganteum
Name Status:	JEF, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	1A
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	SH
Other Status:
CRPR Changes: changed from 2B.1 to 1A on 2026-05-22
Add Date:	1988-01-01
Date Edited:	2026-05-22

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb

Blooming Period: Mar-Apr

Elevation:
400 - 400 meters
1310 - 1310 feet

General Habitats:

Sonoran desert scrub

Microhabitat Details:

Microhabitat:

Notes

Notes: Formerly known from Hayfields Dry Lake where last seen in 1928; multiple surveys have failed to relocate the species, and it is presumed extirpated. Only known from Arizona and California; possibly extirpated from Arizona, so may be extinct. Reports from Mexico based on misidentified specimens.
Threats:
Taxonomy: See Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012) for revised nomenclature.

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	0
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	0	%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					1
A	B	C	D	X	U
0	0	0	0	1	0

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	1
Recent <=20 Years	0

Presence:
Presumed Extant	0
Possibly Extirpated	1
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
Arizona (AZ), California (CA)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Riverside (RIV)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Hayfield (3311566), Hayfield Spring (3311565)

Notes:

Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
*		Presumed extirpated
(?)		Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.

Regional Map

Map

Presumed Extant

Click on quad for name. Hold Shift Key to use mouse scroll wheel

CNPS Status Review:	Proposed change from CRPR 2B.1, G1 / SH to CRPR 1A, GH / SH (2026)
Original Description:	Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 7(1):89 (1900)
Revised Nomenclature:	Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012)
Taxonomic Treatment:	Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012)

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory