Erigeron parishii

Erigeron parishii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Genus: Erigeron
Species: E. parishii
Binomial name
Erigeron parishii

Erigeron parishii is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name Parish's fleabane.[1][2]

Distribution

Erigeron parishii is native to San Bernardino County and Riverside County in southern California.[3][2] It is a federally-listed threatened species losing habitat to development and the limestone mining industry on the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Description

Erigeron parishii is a small perennial herb reaching a maximum height of about 30 centimeters (12 inches). The taproot can penetrate the carbonate soils to a depth of 50 cm (19.5 in).[4] Its stem and foliage are covered in silvery-white hairs and most of the leaves are basal and measure 3 to 6 centimeters (1.2 to 2.4 inches) long.[1]

The erect stems have inflorescences of one to ten flower heads, each between one and two centimeters (0.4-0.8 inches) wide. The flower head has a center of golden yellow disc florets and a fringe of up to 55 lavender, pink, or white ray florets.[1]

Ecology

Erigeron parishii usually grows on limestone substrates, or granite topped with a layer of limestone.[5] It apparently requires very alkaline soils.[4][1]

Conservation

The same rock that the plant favors is also sought after for human use and limestone mining is the most significant threat to its habitat.[4]

Erigeron parishii has a relatively high genetic diversity for a narrow endemic, a measure that will decrease with the habitat fragmentation that currently threatens it.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Flora of North America, Erigeron parishii A. Gray 1884. Parish’s fleabane
  2. 1 2 Calflora taxon report, University of California, Erigeron parishii A. Gray, Parish fleabane, Parish's daisy, Parish's fleabane
  3. ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  4. 1 2 3 Sanders, A. C. Erigeron parishii. Bureau of Land Management
  5. ↑ Erigeron parishii. The Nature Conservancy.
  6. ↑ Neel, M. C. and N. C. Ellstrand. (2001). Patterns of allozyme diversity in the threatened plant Erigeron parishii (Asteraceae). Am J Bot 88 810.
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