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Photo by Daniela Roth; Daniela Roth
Sources: ESRI, NOAA, USGS
Mussentuchit gilia
Aliciella tenuis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G3
State (S-rank): S2
External links
Species range
Estimate from download of data from Utah Rare Plant Database on March 2nd 2023. Includes observations of Gilia karenae. Geocat using 232 observation points the extent of occurrence is 2042.385 km2. Restricted to the western slope of the San Rafael Swell, in extreme eastern Sevier County and western Emery County and also found in Wayne Co., Utah.
Shadscale, ephedra, Wyethia, Indian-ricegrass, pinyon-juniper, and mountain mahogany communities at 1585 to 2170 m in Emery and eastern Sevier couties, Utah.; a Navajo Basin endemic (Welsh et al. 2015).
Threats or limiting factors
USFWS 2006 addressed threats listed as medium to very high in petition listing and found threat levels to be low or a lack of supporting data. There is an expansion of surface disturbances approved in 2019 at mine near northern most occurrences that may wipe out some individuals.
Threats compiled using observations and notes from Utah Rare Plant Database, comments in the Utah Native Plant Society Rare Plant List, and Utah Geospatial Resource Center GIS Data downloaded in 2023. All known occurrences are within grazing allotments. A sand and gravel mine near northern most occurrences, tar sands to the east of known occurrences, coal deposits and leases in western portion of occupied habitat. Gypsum mining, bentonite and zeolite mine near occupied habitat. Chalk hills gypsum strip mine is removing northern most population and removing large numbers of plants over the next 20 years. Gypsum, bentonite and zeolite mine near occupied habitat. Uranium prospecting claims in area. Collection of plants has been named as a threat however little evidence to support this (USFWS 2006). OHV use and some trails near occupied habitat near Johns Hole. Drought is also a threat. The Utah Division of Water Resources reports that Utah is now in "extreme" or "exceptional" drought which is likely impacting this species in similar ways as it is other perennial forbs in Utah.
