Johnston Catseye
Oreocarya johnstonii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Cryptantha johnstonii also known as Jonestown’s cryptanth is a perennial herb with white flowers blooming in May and June. This species is endemic to the Navajo Basin in Utah and often found in sandy and clay soils with mixed desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities.
Description
Cryptantha johnstonii also known as Jonestown’s cryptanth is a perennial herb with white flowers blooming in May and June. This species is endemic to the Navajo Basin in Utah and often found in sandy and clay soils with mixed desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities.
Phenology
Flowering in early May through June.
Diagnostic characteristics
Cryptantha johnstonii is very similar C. confertiflora but has a more open inflorescence at 5-20 cm long with white flowers are larger corollas with 1-1.5 mm long forncices and lacks basal crests.
Species range
Johnston cryptanth is endemic to the Navajo Basin and is mainly found along the San Rafael Swell in Emery and Wayne counties in Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
Primary threats include habitat loss and degredation due to grazing, energy development, recreation, road maintainence and drought. Although Cryptantha spp. are generally not highly palatable plants may be subject to surface disturbances caused by grazing (UNHP 2021).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies