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Eryngium sparganophyllum

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Arizona Eryngo

G1Critically Imperiled (G1G2) Found in 19 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Very high - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158020
Element CodePDAPI0Z0T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyApiaceae
GenusEryngium
Concept Reference
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.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2015-04-13
Change Date2013-10-17
Edition Date1999-12-15
Edition AuthorsJuanita A. R. Ladyman, rev. S. Schuetze (2012), rev. A. Tomaino (2015)
Threat ImpactVery high - medium
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank Reasons
The potential habitat of Eryngium sparganophyllum, a cienega obligate, has suffered significant losses in recent years and is still threatened, at least across half its range (southwest US). Although this species is still being collected, at least periodically, close to the US border with Sonora, Mexico, there are only a few known occurrences in Arizona, and no recent and remarkably few records of it in New Mexico.
Range Extent Comments
A regional endemic, occurring in Arizona and Mexico. The historic range of E. sparganophyllum extends from Hidalgo and Grant Counties in New Mexico (Sivinski and Lightfoot, 1995), westwards into Arizona as far as Tucson (Kearney and Peebles, 1960) and south into Mexico; Durango, Jalisco and the Sierra Madre, Zacatecas (Specimens at Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium). The Durango collection by Pinkava is suspect, according to Makings (Laurenzi and Spence 2012).
Occurrences Comments
There are more documented element occurrences of Eryngium sparganophyllum in Mexico than in the United States where it appears to be a very uncommon plant (Herbarium of the Missouri Botanical Garden). There are 3-4 recent collection locations in SEINet for Arizona between 2001 and 2008. According to Elizabeth Makings (in Laurenzi and Spence 2012), "there are essentially 3 localities on the planet with a very narrow distribution (the Pinkava collection from Durange is suspect in my opinion)."
Threat Impact Comments
Threats to this species are likely associated with its riparian and marsh habitat. Such habitats are frequently disturbed, suffer invasive weeds, and, at least in the southwest US, are in serious decline from activities such as ground water extraction, livestock grazing, agricultural and urban development (Makings 2013). According to Elizabeth Makings (in Laurenzi and Spence 2012), "Habitat decline is a big problem."
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Eryngium sparganophyllum occurs in riparian zones and marshes within Pinon-Juniper Woodland and Madrean Evergreen Woodland (a mild winter-wet summer woodland of oaks and pines such as the Emory Oak and Chihuahua pine). Associates include Arbutus species. The species has been reported at elevations of 3,000 feet near Tucson, Arizona to higher than 8,000 feet near El Salto, Durango, Mexico (Specimens at Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS1Yes
New MexicoSHYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areas———
2 - Agriculture & aquaculturePervasive (71-100%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (19)
Arizona (18)
AreaForestAcres
Butterfly Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest42,296
Catalina St. Pk. Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest951
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
Happy ValleyCoronado National Forest7,972
Lower Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest1,165
Lower RinconCoronado National Forest3,278
Lower Romero WSRCoronado National Forest10
Middle Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest10,543
Middle Romero WSRCoronado National Forest60
Oracle RoadlessCoronado National Forest22,365
Santa RitaCoronado National Forest6,078
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
Upper Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest2,533
Upper Rincon RoadlessCoronado National Forest2,991
Upper Romero WsrCoronado National Forest150
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
WinchesterCoronado National Forest13,459
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
References (11)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2024. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 13. Magnoliophyta: Geraniaceae to Apiaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 566 pp.
  2. 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.
  3. Kearney, T.H., R.H. Peebles, J.T. Howell, and E. McClintock. 1960. Arizona Flora. Revised 2nd Edition with supplement. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. 1085 pp.
  4. Makings, E. 2013a. Flora and Vegetation of St. David and Lewis Springs Cienegas, Cochise County, AZ. U.S. Forest Service Proceedings. RMRSP-P-67. accessed online on April 13, 2015 at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p067/rmrs_p067_071_076.pdf
  5. Martin, W.C., and C.R. Hutchins. 1980-1981. A flora of New Mexico. 2 vols. J. Cramer, in der A.R. Gantner Verlag, K.G., Vaduz, Liechtenstein. 2591 pp.
  6. Sivinski, R. and K. Lightfoot. 1992. Inventory of rare and endangered Plants of New Mexico. New Mexico Forestry and Resources Conservation Division, Santa Fe, NM.
  7. Tidestrom, I., and T. Kittell. 1941. A flora of Arizona and New Mexico. Catholic Univ. of America Press, Washington, D.C.
  8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2019. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for Four Species. Federal Register 84(81):17768-17771.
  9. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. Endangered Species Status for Arizona Eryngo and Designation of Critical Habitat. Proposed Rule. Federal Register 86(41): 12563-12591.
  10. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. Endangered Species Status for Arizona Eryngo and Designation of Critical Habitat. Final rule. Federal Register 87(112): 35431-35459.
  11. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. Review of Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notification of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions. Notification of Review Federal Register 87(85): 26152-26178.