Search Wildlife
≡
(Tap or click to view all images.)
Photo by C. Delmatier; C. Delmatier
C. Delmatier; C. Delmatier
Podunk groundsel
Packera malmstenii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G3
State (S-rank): S3
External links
Species range
Estimate from download of data from Utah Rare Plant Database on Nov 16th 2021.
Geocat 56 observations: Extent of Occurrence: 3023.443 km2.
Endemic to three counties in southwestern Utah. Occurs on the Markagunt and Paunsaugunt Plateaus, in locations such as the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness and Cedar Breaks National Monument (Iron County) and just outside southwest corner of Bryce Canyon National Park (Kane County); also known from Canaan Peak and Table Cliff Plateau (including Barney Top and Horse Creek Top) to Aquarius Plateau (including south end of Boulder Mountain) (Garfield County). Populations are fairly scattered, within 60-70 air miles of each other (Welsh et al. 2015).
Threats or limiting factors
Largely unthreatened by direct human activities because of its largely inaccessible habitat (W. Fertig pers. comm. 2009, M. Madsen pers. comm. 2009). One occurrence appears to be in the vicinity of a trail to a scenic point, but in general trampling near trails is not a significant threat to the species because its steep, erodible habitat is not conducive to trail construction (M. Madsen pers. comm. 2009). Approximately 12% of occupied and potentially suitable habitat for the species within the Dixie National Forest is within 500 feet of routes open to motorized access (Madsen 2009), but again, direct impacts from vehicles are unlikely due to the low accessibility of sites. Rodriguez (2004) states that "this species is not affected by grazing because plants are generally on steep Claron limestone talus slopes where grazing does not occur." Furthermore, there are currently no issues with invasive species because the high calcium carbonate content of this species' preferred substrate creates harsh abiotic conditions in which only specifically-adapted plants can succeed (M. Madsen pers. comm. 2009). Ongoing drought: The Utah Division of Water Resources confirmed the Utah is now in "extreme" or "exceptional" drought.
