Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155377
Element CodePDROS1C030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusPrunus
Other Common Namesdesert peach (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 Date2025-12-02
Change Date2025-12-02
Edition Date2025-12-02
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPrunus andersonii is a rhizomatous shrub found in sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, dry rocky slopes, washes, and canyons. It is endemic to the western United States in the Great Basin Desert region in central and western Nevada and the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and scattered in the Desert Mountains of eastern California. There are over 500 occurrences, which face threats from grazing, altered fire regime, invasive species, browsing by native mammals, habitat shifting, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPrunus andersonii is endemic to the western United States in "the Great Basin Desert region of central and western Nevada, ranging westward into California to the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada from Modoc County south to Inyo County" and scattered in the Desert Mountains of southern California to Riverside County (FNA 2014, Jepson 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 180,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by grazing, altered fire regime, invasive species, browsing by native mammals, habitat shifting, and other threats in some places (Gucker 2007), though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species. This species may have reduced abundance on sites recently or heavily grazed by sheep or cattle (see disturbance related succession in Gucker 2007). Fire regimes in this species' habitats have been altered, with increased fire frequency in big sagebrush-antelope bitterbrush invaded by cheatgrass and decreased fire frequency in Colorado pinyon woodlands; however, fire effects on P. andersonii are needed (see fire regimes in Gucker 2007). Browsing by native mammals may impact this species. Mule deer have increased consumption of this species in spring with emerging leaf growth and flowers, and, in high population density years, black-tailed jackrabbits have increased browsing and girdling on this species (Gucker 2007). Lastly, late season frosts may decrease flower and fruit production, and seedling establishment may be negatively impacted by shifting climactic conditions (Gucker 2007).