Hairy Stickleaf [Mentzelia hirsutissima Wats.]
Listing CNPS List 2 R-E-D Code 2-1-1
State/Federal. Status -- /C3c LOASACEAE Apr.-May
Global Rank G3? State Rank S2S3
Distribution: San Diego County, Imperial County; Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Sonoran Desert Scrub growing on rocky hillsides and desert mesas is the reported habitat. At Yaqui Pass this biennial was found in small boulders on an arid slope with limited competition from shrubs.
Known Sites: Several plants were seen growing in rocky outcrops at Yaqui Pass. This conspicuous species is quite rare in the deserts of San Diego County. Old reports are from Borrego Palm Canyon, lower Box Canyon, Mountain Springs, near Agua Caliente, and Canebrake Canyon. It is also reported from the Yuha cut-off in Imperial County.
Eighteen specimens from Baja California are found at the herbarium of the San Diego Natural History Museum, south to 27 7' North where collected by Moran (SD 92316) on the north slope of the southeastern peak of Picacho de Santa Clara. Other specimens are from Isla Angel de la Guardia and the Mejia Islands.
Status: Hairy Stickleaf is presumed stable in San Diego County given the limited historical impacts to its rocky desert habitat. All sites should be protected.
Copyright © May 1994 Craig H. Reiser.