Thompson’s flameflower
Andrey Zharkikh iNaturalist observation 2021; Braydon Lake iNaturalist image; Braydon Lake iNaturalist observation 2024
Phemeranthus thompsonii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Phemeranthus thompsonii is endemic to the Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation in Emery County, Utah. It is a perennial herb that can be found in shallow, gravelly soils among pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine communities. These plants are low, clump forming with fleshy stems. The flowers occur in open cymes and have pink petals. Phemeranthus thompsonii is treated as a seperate species by Welsh in Utah Flora, but there has been consideration of merging with P. validulus. Further sampling would be needed to reveal absolute molecular or morphological distinctions at a varietal level.
Description
Phemeranthus thompsonii is endemic to the Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation in Emery County, Utah. It is a perennial herb that can be found in shallow, gravelly soils among pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine communities. These plants are low, clump forming with fleshy stems. The flowers occur in open cymes and have pink petals. Phemeranthus thompsonii is treated as a seperate species by Welsh in Utah Flora, but there has been consideration of merging with P. validulus. Further sampling would be needed to reveal absolute molecular or morphological distinctions at a varietal level.
Phenology
Flowers starting mid July throughout August.
Diagnostic characteristics
Phemeranthus thompsonii main differences between other species in the genus is the erect-ascending branches with spreading stems and peduncles rather than mat-forming growth habits, leaf size of 8-32 mm long, flowers in terminal cymes, and 10 stamens.
Species range
Colorado Plateau; Cedar Mountain, Emery County, Utah, USA.
Threats or limiting factors
Potential threats include recreational disturbances, road construction and the nearby presence of radio towers (Franklin 2005). As a succulent, there is the possibility of collection for cultivation. Drought may also be impacting this species.
Taxonomy
Yes, this species has taxonomic discrepancies