Home/Species/ Black-head Fleabane

Erigeron melanocephalus

(A. Nels.) A. Nels.

Black-head Fleabane

G4Apparently Secure Found in 5 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank

Medium - lowThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154673

Element CodePDAST3M2G0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicendemic to a single nation

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderAsterales

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusErigeron

Other Common Names

blackhead fleabane (EN)

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 Date2018-03-26

Change Date1997-05-13

Edition Date2018-03-26

Edition AuthorsOliver, L. (2018)

Threat ImpactMedium - low

Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)

Number of Occurrences> 300

Rank Reasons

Erigeron melanocephalus is endemic to the Rocky Mountains, and occurs only in alpine habitat. While there are may occurrences of this species, it's entire range is restricted to the Rockies in Colorado, north to Wyoming, south to New Mexico, and west to the eastern edge of Utah. It is threatened by introduced mountain goats in Utah, and likely by climate change.

Range Extent Comments

Regional endemic of SE Wyoming, eastern Utah, Colorado, and northern New Mexico. The extent of occurrence was calculated to be 130,700 sq km based on herbarium data in SEINet (2018).

Occurrences Comments

Many occurrences in Colorado, 1 in New Mexico, 2 in Wyoming, 1-2 in Utah. Many additional occurrences are expected.

Threat Impact Comments

This alpine species is threatened by introduced mountain goats in the far western edge of its range in the La Sal Mountains. While this seral, or early succession species, does benefit from disturbance by grazing animals that create patches it can invade, it will not survive extensive grazing or soil disturbance from wallowing. This species is also likely threatened by climate change as evidence of forest encroachment into its alpine habitat (typically tree restricted) has been documented in the Rocky Mountains (Moir et al. 2003).

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Subalpine to alpine, slopes and meadows, 10,000-11,200 feet; often in moister soil than sympatric Erigeron species.

Terrestrial Habitats

Grassland/herbaceousAlpine

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN4

Province	Rank	Native
Wyoming	S2	Yes
Colorado	S4	Yes
New Mexico	SNR	Yes
Utah	S1	Yes

Threat Assessments

Threat	Scope	Severity	Timing
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Restricted - small	Serious - moderate	High (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Restricted - small	Serious - moderate	High (continuing)
8.1.2 - Named species	Restricted - small	Serious - moderate	High (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weather	Pervasive (71-100%)	Unknown	Unknown

Plant Characteristics

DurationPERENNIAL

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (5)

Utah (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Horse Mountain - Mans Peak	Manti-Lasal National Forest	22,159

Wyoming (4)

Area	Forest	Acres
French Creek	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	5,928
Libby Flats	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	11,107
Rock Creek	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	18,874
Snowy Range	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	29,660

References (4)

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.
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.
Moir, W.H., S. G. Roechelle, and A. E. Schoettle. 1999. Microscale patterns of tree establishment near upper treeline, Snowy Range, Wyoming, U.S.A. Arctic, Antarctica, and Alpine Research 31(4): 379-388.
Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2018. Collections Databases. Online. Available: http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/ (accessed 2018).

Erigeron melanocephalus

Habitat

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