Taxon Report

Stemodia durantifolia (L.) Sw.

purple stemodia

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Species Description:
Stemodia durantifolia, commonly known as purple stemodia, is a perennial herb in the Plantaginaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Sonoran desert scrub (often mesic, and sandy), growing at elevations from 180 to 300 meters. Stemodia durantifolia is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Stemodia durantifolia (L.) Sw.
Common Name:
purple stemodia
Family: Plantaginaceae
Element Code: PDSCR1U010
USDA Plants Symbol: STDU
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: (Jan)Apr-Dec (Jan)Apr-Dec
Elevation: 180-300 (590-985)
General Habitats: Sonoran desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.1
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CRES
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 21
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 19
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Riverside (RIV)*, San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cathedral City (3311674)*, Del Mar (3211782), Dulzura (3211667), Imperial Beach (3211751), Jamul Mountains (3211668), La Jolla (3211772)*, La Mesa (3211771), La Quinta (3311663), National City (3211761), Otay Mesa (3211658), Otay Mountain (3211657), Palm Springs (3311675)*, Palm View Peak (3311665)*, Poway (3211781), Rancho Mirage (3311664), Rancho Santa Fe (3311712)*

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 5 %
Foot traffic/trampling 1 4%
Improper burning regime 1 4%
Military operations 1 4%

Notes

Very few recent collections; needs field study. Threatened by development.
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 12 January 2025].