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Alcove Rock-daisy
Laphamia specicola
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
External links
General information
Laphamia specicola is known from Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah where it grows only in the Navajo Basin along the Colorado and San Juan Rivers. This species is often associated with desert shrub and hanging garden communities and grows on sandstone and limestone formations such as cliff basses, alcoves and narrow canyons. Alcove Rock-Daisy is named for its unique habitat and has tiny yellow flowers blooming in a humble display of small, packed florets. This plant is unique for having miniature leaves that are measured in the milimeters giving this very green species a slender form as it emerges through tangled stems of the previous years growth.
Phenology
Flowers from spring to fall
Diagnostic characteristics
This species can be identified in the narrow region it grows by having a combination of minute, tiny leaves, green stems that grow through the remains of the previous seasons plant and by having an inconspicuous display of yellow disk florets that are just 2.5 mm long.
Species range
Colorado Plateau; canyons of the Colorado and San Juan Rivers or immediately adjacent tributary canyons, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
Threats are largly unknown. At least one site is threatened by recreational activities. Camping and road construction may also be threats.
