Taxon Report

Malacothrix saxatilis (Nutt.) T. & G. var. arachnoidea (McGregor) E. Williams

Carmel Valley malacothrix

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Malacothrix saxatilis var. arachnoidea, commonly known as Carmel Valley malacothrix, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (rocky), and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 25 to 1036 meters. Malacothrix saxatilis var. arachnoidea is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Malacothrix saxatilis (Nutt.) T. & G. var. arachnoidea (McGregor) E. Williams
Common Name:	Carmel Valley malacothrix
Family:	Asteraceae
Element Code:	PDAST660C2
USDA Plants Symbol:	MASAA
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: (Mar)Jun-Dec	(Mar)Jun-Dec
Elevation:	25-1036 (80-3400)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G5T2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	16
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	3
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	13

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), San Benito (SBT), Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Carmel Valley (3612146), Chews Ridge (3612135), Hepsedam Peak (3612037), Little Pine Mtn. (3411956), Mt. Carmel (3612147), Rana Creek (3612145), Seaside (3612157), Sycamore Flat (3612134)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	3	19 %
Dam/Inundation	2	12%
Feral pigs	1	6%
Grazing	1	6%
Improper burning regime	1	6%
Military operations	1	6%
Non-native plant impacts	1	6%

Notes



See Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 36:605 (1909) for original description, and American Midland Naturalist 58(2):509 (1957) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Threatened by road maintenance.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 9 May 2025].