Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156837
Element CodePDAST3M180
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusErigeron
Other Common Namestall fleabane (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 Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-02-01
Change Date2023-02-01
Edition Date2023-01-30
Edition AuthorsOliver, L. (2018), rev. Eberly (2023)
Threat ImpactMedium - low
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsErigeron elatior is a high elevation species occurring in mountain and alpine areas in moist meadows and along streams in Colorado, south central Wyoming and northern New Mexico, and west to Utah. It is common throughout Colorado, but rare at the periphery of its range in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah. It is threatened by introduced, exotic mountain goats and climate change.
Range Extent CommentsErigeron elatior occurs in the western United States, where it is found in central Colorado, southcentral Wyoming, northern New Mexico and the LaSal Mountains of Utah (Grand and San Juan Counties). Range extent was calculated with recent (2003-2023) data from natural heritage and herbarium records (NatureServe 2023, SEINet 2023).
Occurrences CommentsThe center of the range is in Colorado, where there are occurrences throughout the Rocky Mountains region. It is rare in Wyoming with five occurrences and Utah with six occurrences. The status of the species is unknown in New Mexico.
Threat Impact CommentsErigeron elatior is a high elevation species occurring in mountain and alpine areas in moist meadows and along streams. It is threatened by introduced, exotic mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) in the western edge of its range in Utah (Alexander 2016). The goats trample, dig-up and graze, damaging plants. It is also threatened by climate change, namely droughts, rapid snowmelt from wind-blown sediment (Alexander 2016).