Taxon Report

Malacothrix squalida Greene

island malacothrix

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Malacothrix squalida, commonly known as island malacothrix, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Coastal bluff scrub, growing at elevations from 15 to 200 meters. Malacothrix squalida is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Malacothrix squalida Greene
Common Name:
island malacothrix
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST660K0
USDA Plants Symbol: MASQ
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul Apr-Jul
Elevation: 15-200 (50-655)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal bluff scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 4
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Barbara (SBA), Ventura (VEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Anacapa Island (3311983), Santa Cruz Island C (3311985)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 50 %
Erosion/runoff 2 50%
Non-native plant impacts 1 25%

Notes

Last seen on SCZ Isl. in 1968 and on ANA Isl. in 1986. Threatened by feral herbivores on SCZ Isl., and by seabird-caused erosion on ANA Isl. Field surveys needed; 1989 surveys on ANA Isl. were unsuccessful. See Bulletin of the California Academy of Sciences 2:152 (1886) for original description, and MadroƱo 44(3):223-244 (1997) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 5 February 2025].