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Xanthisma blephariphyllum

(A. Gray) D.R. Morgan & R.L. Hartman

Texas Tansy-aster

G3Vulnerable (G3G4) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.145059
Element CodePDAST64080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusXanthisma
Synonyms
Machaeranthera blephariphylla(Gray) ShinnersMachaeranthera gymnocephalaauct. non (DC.) Shinners
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.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly known as Aster (Machaeranthera) gymnocephala. The name of this species is from Gray's Haplopappus blephariphyllus, not Aster blephariphyllus, which in Machaeranthera is treated as M. gypsitherma. Treated by FNA (2006, vol. 20) in the distinct genus Xanthisma, as Xanthisma blephariphyllum.

Much confusion has surrounded the name of this plant and it is clear that, in the past, there have been misidentifications. This species has been incorrectly synonymized with Aster blephariphyllus and M. blephariphyllus which is now correctly re-named M. gypsitherma (Nesom, Vorobik and Hartman, 1990). In Texas, M. blephariphylla has been incorrectly known as H. gymnocephalus DC. (Correll and Johnston ; 1970). Some of the confusion may have been initiated in 1894 (E.L. Greene, 1894). These misidentifications (e.g. in (Correll and Johnston; 1970) have led to difficulties in assessing its correct abundance.
Conservation Status
Review Date1999-12-15
Change Date1999-12-27
Edition Date1999-12-15
Edition AuthorsJuanita A. R. Ladyman
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Personal communications with local botanists indicate that this species is relatively widespread even though herbarium specimens and documented observations are lacking.
Range Extent Comments
In the Diablo, Glass and Guadalupe Mountains (Brewster, Culberson, and Hudspeth counties) in western Texas and in Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero counties, New Mexico. Note that the record in Coahuila, Mexico (Correll and Johnston, 1970) was due to a misidentification of specimens (R. Hartman, Ph.D.; Personal communication November 13, 1999).
Occurrences Comments
Machaeranthera blephariphylla is apparently quite a common plant within its range although details of specific EO locations are unavailable (R. Hartman, personal communication).
Threat Impact Comments
At the present time threats appear negligible. The effect of livestock grazing or invasive species has not been determined.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Machaeranthera blephariphylla grows in limestone mountains at 5,000-7000 ft elevation. Generally this species is restricted to calcareous and often rocky soils or limestone outcrops. It grows at grassland margins or in pinyon pine-juniper woodland or ponderosa pine forests (R. Hartman personal communication November 1999; UNM Herbarium sheet - 10258; Martin and Hutchins, 1981). Associated species include; oaks, Ericameria spathulata, Eriogonum hieracifolium, and Astragalus neomexicanus.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
New MexicoS3Yes
TexasS2Yes
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
South Guadalupe MountainsLincoln National Forest20,930
References (5)
  1. Correll, D.S., and M.C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation, Renner. 1881 pp.
  2. 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.
  3. Greene, E.L. 1894. Observations on the Compositae-V11. Erythea, Vol. 2, No. 7 (July 2), p. 109.
  4. 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.
  5. Nesom, G.L., L.A. Vorobik, and R.L. Hartman. 1990. The identity of Aster blepharophyllus (Asteraceae: Astereae). Systematic Botany 15(4): 638-642.