National Collection of Imperiled Plants

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Photographer:

Search Alphabetical List Reference Finder CPC Home

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Erigeron basalticus

Family:	Asteraceae
Common Names:	basalt daisy, basalt fleabane
Author:	Hoover
Growth Habit:	Forb/herb
CPC Number:	1628

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

Profile Links

ITIS
Tropicos
PLANTS
Fish & WildLife

enlarge

Erigeron basalticus is Not Sponsored

Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is:

University Of Washington Botanic Gardens

Erigeron basalticus

These daisy-like flowers live exclusively in cracks and crevices in basalt cliffs in the state of Washington. Erigeron basalticus has several stems that originate in a taproot. Stems are generally 4-6� in length and leafy especially toward the tips. The majority of the leaves are tri-lobed at the tip, one inch in length and are shaped like a wedge in outline. The flowers range from white to lilac with small yellow centers and the herbage of the plant is covered with stiff, spreading hairs. (NatureServe 2003; WA NH; Hitchcock, et al, 1955: PLANTS 2000; ITIS 2002)

Distribution & Occurrence

Top

State Range

Washington

Habitat

Cracks and Crevices in basalt cliffs, in elevations ranging from 1250 to 1500 feet (NatureServe 2003, WANHP Selected Rare Vascular Plants of Washington

Distribution

Erigeron basalticus is located in Yakima and Kittitas counties in Washington in an area about 10 x 2 miles wide on basalt cliffs. (NatureServe 2003; WA DNR; PLANTS)

Number Left

There are 8 occurrences in Washington within a space of 10 x 2 miles with a total of 7500-8000 individuals. The populations occur in Kittitas and Yakima counties. (NatureServe 2003, WA NHP 2000;)

Protection

Top

Global Rank:	G2	9/26/2007	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:	RT		Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	No

State/Area Protection

	State/Area	Rank	Status	Date
	Washington	S2

Conservation, Ecology & Research

Top

Ecological Relationships

Threats

� Railroad and highways pass through basalt daisy habitat, on going maintenance could impact the ERBA.
� Basalt mining
� Dam expansion
� Over spray of chemicals from neighboring agricultural areas. (NatureServe 2003)
� Possibility of invasion by non-native plants (NaureServe)

Current Research Summary

� Germination testing at Berry Botanic Garden (NatureServe 2003)
� Everett et al. (1991) began a study using Erigeron basalticus as one of two rare cliff-dwelling plants to assess climatic change. Results of their work to-date have apparently not been published (NatureServe 2003)
� Robson et al. (1994) compared variation in reproductive structures between rare and common species of Erigeron occurring within the arid region of eastern Washington (NatureServe 2003)

Current Management Summary

� Ensuring the physical integrity of the basalt cliffs.
� Ensuring that the individual populations are viable. (NatureServe 2003, WANHP)

Research Management Needs

There is currently no management plan. The Washington Department of Natural Resources currently has a plan to maintain habitat and to monitor the Erigeron basalticus on WA DNR property. Reproduction requirements need to be explored. (NatureServe 2003, WA NHP, USFWS database)

Ex Situ Needs

Seeds were banked in the Miller Seed Vault at the Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle WA in the summer of 2003. Additional ex situ resources are needed to ensure conservation of the species.

References

Top

Books (Sections)

Hitchcock, C.L.; Cronquist, A.; Ownbey, M.; Thompson, J.W. 1955. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press.

Electronic Sources

ITIS. (2002). Integrated Taxonomic Information System database. USDA. http://www.itis.usda.gov/index.html.

NatureServe. (2008). NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. [Internet].Version 7.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. Accessed: (June 17, 2008).

PLANTS database. ( 2000). National Plant Data Center, NRCS, USDA. http://plants.usda.gov.

USFWS database. https://ecos.fws.gov/species_profile/SpeciesProfile?spcode=Q0PT.

Washington Natural Heritage Program. Selected Rare Vascular Plants of Washington. Washington Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/fguide/htm/fsp_erba.htm.

Search Other National Collection Profiles

This profile was updated on 3/4/2010