Taxon Report

Holmgrenanthe petrophila (Coville & C.V. Morton) Elisens

rock lady

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Holmgrenanthe petrophila, commonly known as rock lady, is a perennial herb in the Plantaginaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Mojavean desert scrub (carbonate, and rocky), growing at elevations from 515 to 1675 meters. Holmgrenanthe petrophila is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Holmgrenanthe petrophila (Coville & C.V. Morton) Elisens
Common Name:
 rock lady
Family: Plantaginaceae
Element Code: PDSCR2J010
USDA Plants Symbol: HOPE2
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Maurandya petrophila

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun Apr-Jun
Elevation: 515-1675 (1690-5495)
General Habitats: Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G1
State Rank:
 S1
State List: CR
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 10
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 6
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Fall Canyon (3611772), Thimble Peak (3611771)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 20 %
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 20%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 10%

Notes
Known from approximately ten occurrences in Titus and Fall canyons. USFWS uses the name Holmgrenanthe petrophila. See Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 25:291 (1935) for original description, and Systematic Botany Monographs 5:54-56 (1985) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
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 28 October 2025].