Taxon Report

Acleisanthes nevadensis (Standl.) B.L. Turner

desert wing-fruit

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Acleisanthes nevadensis, commonly known as desert wing-fruit, is a perennial herb in the Nyctaginaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Joshua tree "woodland", and Mojavean desert scrub, growing at elevations from 795 to 1250 meters. Acleisanthes nevadensis is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Acleisanthes nevadensis (Standl.) B.L. Turner
Common Name:	desert wing-fruit
Family:	Nyctaginaceae
Element Code:	PDNYC0F040
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Selinocarpus nevadensis

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Sep	Apr-Sep
Elevation:	795-1250 (2610-4100)
General Habitats:	Joshua tree "woodland", Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat:	Gravelly, Rocky
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.1
Global Rank:	G4?
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2013-06-12 changed from 2.3 to 2.1 on 2012-02-14

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	13
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	6
Poor (D)	4
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	1

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Blackwater Mine (3511577), Calvada Springs (3511588), Pachalka Spring (3511556), Stump Spring, Nev. (3511587), Valley Wells (3511546)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	13	100 %
Non-native plant impacts	7	53%
ORV activity	7	53%
Road/trail construction/maint.	5	38%
Biocides	1	7%
Development	1	7%
Grazing	1	7%

Notes



Known in CA from only the Kingston Range. See Madroño 30(2):129 (1983) for historical record.
Threats:
Threatened by solar energy development, vehicles, and non-native plants. Possibly threatened by road maintenance and associated herbicide use.
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 7 November 2025].