Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
desert nest straw
everlasting nest straw
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Stylocline citroleum, S. micropoides
Height
To nearly 8 inches
Riparian
No
Low-growing erect or spreading annual. Clusters of small, rounded, greenish-white, cottony flower heads grow at the tip of the flower stalk. Small, oval, grayish-green leaves with woolly hairs are densely crowded on the upper stem.
Small annual; greenish-white cottony heads in small clusters at branch tips, stems forked, generally evenly leafy, less so at tips; leaves alternate, not stemmed; flower bracts leafy; broad, membranous wings; green or white flowers with cobwebby hairs.
Habitat
Found in sandy soils, on slopes, flats, disturbed areas, dry drainage areas or relatively mesic sites in deserts (sites having a moderate or well-balanced supply of moisture during the growing season).
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
500
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Flower stalk bears small, rounded flower heads consisting of tiny outer and inner flowers (florets). Outer florets are enclosed by shaggy, leaf-like bracts that have wide, glossy, wing-like projections and form a green sac totally enfolding the fruit.
Flower color
Greenish-white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are stemless, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, 1/16 to 1/8 inch wide, with an oval, oblong or spoon shape, sometimes narrow and sometimes with a sharp protruding tip. Leaves are slightly reduced in length but wider and more densely crowded on the upper stem.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit has an egg-like shape, is flattened lengthwise and grows to about 1/16 inch long. At its tip, the fruit may have 1 to 6 hair-like tufts or bristles that are smooth to barbed. These tufts aid in wind dispersal of the fruit.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown
1 seed is produced by the fruit. When mature, the fruit does not split open to release the seed.