La Sal Daisy
Erigeron mancus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Erigeron mancus is known only from the La Sal Mountains from a narrow region of the Navajo Basin that saddles Grand County and San Juan County, Utah. The La Sal Daisy grows above treeline in the alpine tundra and fell fields and is found where subalpine fir, alpine forb and grass-sedge plant communities grow. This species has yellow flowers that fade to orange and then to purple as they go into fruit on the same plant. This species is unmistakable for its inflorescence having only disk flowers that reach high above the deeply divided basal leaves growing at the lower part of the plant.
Description
Erigeron mancus is a perennial herb that measures 2-6 (8) cm tall and forms compact mats from a taproot and freely branching caudex. The herbage is puberulent with short rigid hairs or minutely glandular hairs. The leaves are mostly basal, with
Phenology
Flowers from July to August
Diagnostic characteristics
Distinguished by its pinnatilobate leaves, solitary flower heads and absence of ray flowers.
Species range
A Navajo Basin endemic, found in Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
The primary threats to this species include recreation, mining, and drought.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies