Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.140771
Element CodePDPGN082W0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPolygonales
FamilyPolygonaceae
GenusEriogonum
Other Common NamesSnake Range buckwheat (EN) Snake Range Buckwheat (EN)
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 MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.0
Review Date2013-06-07
Change Date1990-09-05
Edition Date2013-06-07
Edition AuthorsOliver, L.
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank ReasonsA narrow endemic of the Snake Range in White Pine County, Nevada. Only 4 occurrences are known, all along a 6 km stretch of a single ridgeline near the crest of the range, along with an estimated 250 individuals. The most recent collection of this species found is from 2008, however, and because of its difficult to access habitat it is likely that older occurrences still remain undisturbed from anthropogenic threats. With that said, climate change is the primary threat, and habitat shifts are expected to occur in the alpine area where this species is found. Further investigation of the impacts of climate change on this species are needed. Surveys of potential habitat are needed for more accurate population and element occurrence estimates.
Range Extent CommentsOccurs along crest of Snake Range between Pyramid Peak and Lincoln Peak for about 6 miles in Nevada.
Occurrences CommentsFour sites currently known, probably continuous along crest of range. As of 2013, only 4 element occurrences were in NatureServe's data with old observation dates prior to 2000. One recent herbarium collection from 2008 is housed in the New York Botanical Garden herbarium.
Threat Impact CommentsIt occurs high on top of mountain range, and while evidence of direct threats were not found during the 2013 status review, climate change is likely the greatest threat to this species. Areas of the Great Basin and the Snake Range are expected to see range shifts in habitat due to climate change, including the alpine habitat (Provencher and Anderson 2011) where this species occurs. The alpine habitat's hypothesized direction of range shift it toward Limber-Bristlecone Pine (Provencher and Anderson 2011).