Taxon Report

Stylocline masonii Morefield

Mason's neststraw

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Taxon Summary

Stylocline masonii, commonly known as Mason's neststraw, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chenopod scrub, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 100 to 1200 meters. Stylocline masonii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Stylocline masonii Morefield
Common Name:
Mason's neststraw
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST8Y080
USDA Plants Symbol: STMA10
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Mar-May Mar-May
Elevation: 100-1200 (330-3935)
General Habitats: Chenopod scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat: Gravelly, Sandstone, Sandy
Microhabitat Details: On gravelly, loose sand in openings of washes, alluvial fans, flats, benches on hillslopes, and ridgetops.

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 7
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 6
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN), Los Angeles (LAX), Monterey (MNT), San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Acton (3411842), Bryson (3512171), Camatta Canyon (3512053), Camatta Ranch (3512043), Cholame (3512063), Cholame Valley (3512073), Hames Valley (3512088), Rosedale (3511942), Tierra Redonda Mountain (3512078), Weldon (3511863), Williams Hill (3512181)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
4 57 %
Development 3 42%
Dam/Inundation 1 14%

Notes

Previously collected only once (1991) since 1971; most of known sites surveyed unsuccessfully in 1989. See MadroƱo 39(2):117 (1992) for original description and 43(3):434-435 (1996) for information on 1991 collection.
Threats:
Threatened by development, non-native plants (Schismus arabicus), habitat disturbance, and altered fire regimes. 
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 24 June 2025].