Taxon Report

Spermolepis gigantea (J.M. Coult. & Rose) G.L. Nesom

desert scaleseed

Print Report


© 2011 Steve Matson

Taxon Summary

Spermolepis gigantea, commonly known as desert scaleseed, is a annual herb in the Apiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Sonoran desert scrub, growing at elevations from 400 to 400 meters. Spermolepis gigantea is ranked 1A, Plants Presumed Extirpated in California and Either Rare or Extinct Elsewhere.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Spermolepis gigantea (J.M. Coult. & Rose) G.L. Nesom
Common Name:
 desert scaleseed
Family: Apiaceae
Element Code: PDAPI05020
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Ammoselinum giganteum

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Mar-Apr Mar-Apr
Elevation: 400-400 (1310-1310)
General Habitats: Sonoran desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1A
Global Rank: G1
State Rank:
 SH
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2B.1 to 1A on 2026-05-22
  • changed from 2B.3 to 2B.1 on 2016-03-22
  • changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

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

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Riverside (RIV)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Hayfield (3311566), Hayfield Spring (3311565)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Formerly known from Hayfields Dry Lake where last seen in 1928; multiple surveys have failed to relocate the species, and it is presumed extirpated. Only known from Arizona and California; possibly extirpated from Arizona, so may be extinct. Reports from Mexico based on misidentified specimens.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
See Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012) for revised nomenclature.

Selected References

Proposed change from CRPR 2B.1, G1 / SH to CRPR 1A, GH / SH (2026)
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 7(1):89 (1900)
Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012)
Phytoneuron 87:1-49 (2012)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2026. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 24 May 2026].