Erigeron flettii
G.N. Jones
Olympic Mountains Fleabane
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
HighThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152868
Element CodePDAST3M1G0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusErigeron
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-03-21
Change Date2024-03-21
Edition Date2000-07-26
Edition AuthorsMacBryde, Bruce
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent100-250 square km (about 40-100 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank ReasonsErigeron flettii is a perennial herb that is endemic to the Olympic Mountains in Washington, USA, occurring in subalpine and alpine areas on cliffs and in rocky places. A 2018 study found that this species habitat may contract by 99% by 2080 due to a changing climate. In addition to a significant threat of habitat loss, trampling by mountain goats is a threat.
Range Extent CommentsErigeron flettii occurs in the western United States where it is endemic to high elevations of the Olympic Mountains of Washington.
Threat Impact CommentsErigeron flettii is potentially threatened by introduced mountain goats, which trample alpine vegetation. High elevation species of the Olympic Mountains are predicted to be impacted by a changing climate due to "a pronounced decrease in winter snow and an increase in growing-season moisture stress" and when considered with topography the loss of habitat is more severe (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). In this study, suitable habitat for Erigeron flettii was found to contract by 99% by 2080 (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). While 2080 is beyond the time frame of the threat assessment, habitat loss, in the shorter term, is expected to reveal itself.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Erigeron flettii grows on rock outcrops.cliffs or other rocky ares of alpine and subalpine zones at elevations (1,488–1,989 m) (Wershow and DeChaine 2018).
Terrestrial HabitatsAlpineBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Washington | S1 | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
References (8)
- Cronquist, A. 1955. Compositae. In C.L. Hitchcock, A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson (eds.). Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 5. Univ. Washington Press, Seattle. 343 pp.
- Ferris, R.S. 1960. Illustrated flora of the Pacific states: Washington, Oregon, and California. Vol. IV. Bignoniaceae to Compositae. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. 732 pp.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2006b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 20. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 666 pp.
- Hitchcock, C.L., and A. Cronquist. 1974. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An illustrated manual. 2nd printing, with corrections. Univ. Washington Press, Seattle. xix + 730 pp.
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1981. An illustrated guide to the endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia. 328 pp.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1997. Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Vascular Plants of Washington - with Working Lists of Rare Non-Vascular Species. Department of Natural Resources. Olympia. 62 p.
- Wershow, S. T. and E. G. DeChaine. 2018. Retreat to refugia: Severe habitat contraction projected for endemic alpine plants of the Olympic Peninsula. American Journal of Botany 105(4):760-778.