Phacelia argylensis

Atwood & Welsh

Argyle Canyon Phacelia

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Very highThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793494
Element CodePDHYD0C560
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilyHydrophyllaceae
GenusPhacelia
Concept Reference
Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich and L.C. Higgins. (Eds.) 2003. A Utah Flora. 3rd edition. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. 912 pp.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2020-02-20
Change Date2020-02-20
Edition Date2020-02-20
Edition AuthorsTreher (2020)
Threat ImpactVery high
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank Reasons
Phacelia argylensis is endemic to the Argyle Canyon in Duchesne County, Utah, U.S.A. There is likely only one occurrence with multiple sites along the canyon. A flood in 2018 killed all of the 51 known plants. Future surveys will be important to determine if this plant reestablishes in its habitat in the Argyle Canyon. The species is also seriously threatened by residential development and a potential train route.
Range Extent Comments
Phacelia argylensis is endemic to the Argyle Canyon in Duchesne County, Utah, U.S.A.
Occurrences Comments
There may only be one occurrence depending on the continuity of habitat and distance between sites.
Threat Impact Comments
This species has multiple serious threats. It occurs on private land where homes are being built and a railway route planned for the valley where it occurs. Fires on the slopes above, have increased erosion at the sites. Herbivory is a potential threat.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species occurs canyon bottoms in gravel bars, washes and alluvial fans, in sand-silty, shale soils (Atwood, 2004).
Terrestrial Habitats
Bare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
UtahS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
4 - Transportation & service corridorsUnknownUnknownUnknown
4.1 - Roads & railroadsUnknownUnknownUnknown
9 - PollutionPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
9.3.2 - Soil erosion, sedimentationPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
11.4 - Storms & floodingPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)

Plant Characteristics
DurationANNUAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (3)
Utah (3)
AreaForestAcres
0401009Ashley National Forest30,378
0401010Ashley National Forest21,886
0401011Ashley National Forest30,062
References (2)
  1. Atwood, N.D. 2004. <i>Phacelia argylensis</i>. S. L. Welsh Herbarium, Brigham Young University. https://sernecportal.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=4674425
  2. Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich and L.C. Higgins. (Eds.) 2003. A Utah Flora. 3rd edition. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. 912 pp.