Taxon Report
Spermolepis lateriflora G.L. Nesomwestern bristly scaleseed |
 © 2020 Richard Spellenberg |
Taxon Summary
Spermolepis lateriflora, commonly known as western bristly 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 310 to 845 meters. Spermolepis lateriflora is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.Classification
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Scientific Name: |
Spermolepis lateriflora G.L. Nesom |
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Common Name: |
western bristly scaleseed |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Element Code: | PDAPI23080 |
| USDA Plants Symbol: | |
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Synonyms/Other Names: |
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Ecology and Life History
| Lifeform: | annual herb |
| Blooming Period: Mar-Apr | Mar-Apr |
| Elevation: | 310-845 (1015-2770) |
| General Habitats: | Sonoran desert scrub |
| Microhabitat: | Rocky (sometimes), Sandy (sometimes) |
| Microhabitat Details: |
Conservation Status
| CA Rare Plant Rank: | 2B.3 |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
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State Rank: |
SH |
| State List: | None |
| Fed List: | None |
| Other Status: | |
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CRPR Changes: |
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Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
| Total Occurrences: | 4 |
| Element Occurrence Ranks: | |
| Excellent (A) | 0 |
| Good (B) | 0 |
| Fair (C) | 0 |
| Poor (D) | 0 |
| None (X) | 0 |
| Unknown (U) | 4 |
| California Endemic: False | |
| California Counties and Islands: Name (Code) | |
| Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SDG) | |
| Quads: Name (Quad Code) | |
| Agua Caliente Springs (3211683), Burbank (3411823), Earthquake Valley (3311614), Tubb Canyon (3311624)? | |
Threat List Data from the CNDDB
| Threat List Total: | 0 | |
| EOs with Threat Listed: | Total EOs | % of EOs |
| 0 | % | |
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Notes
| When added in 2016 the species was considered extirpated from CA, having last been seen near San Felipe Creek in SDG Co. in 1952; rediscovered by L. Hendrickson in 2017 near Yaqui Pass Road. |
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Threats: |
| Potentially threatened by nonnative plants. |
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Taxonomy: |
| Previously included within S. echinata; see this taxon in TJM (1993) and TJM 2. See Phytoneuron 2012-87 (2012) for original description and distinction from S. infernensis. |
Selected References
| CRPR List Addition on 2016-01-21 |
| Proposed change from CRPR 2A, G5 / SH to CRPR 2B.3, G5 / S2 (2026) |
| 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 27 February 2026].