Artemisia pygmaea GrayFamily: Asteraceae Description: This taxon is characterized by linear to lanceolate outer involucral bracts which are nearly glabrous to sparsely villous; leaves green, pinnatifid with 3-11 lobes; habit a low cushion plant. It flowers Aug.-Sept. Distribution: Eastern Nevada, Central and W. Utah, N. Arizona and N.W. New Mexico. Navajo Heritage Records from N.M.: 1. E. of Gallup, Iyanbito, McKinley Co. 2. Fort Wingate Army Depot, Mckinley Co. Plants Seen or Cited: (UNM) New Mexico; McKinley Co.; Fort Wingate Army Depot., Hevron 2261; Ft. Wingate Army Depot, Sivinski and Lightfoot 2710. Habitat: Dry, barren soils often on white clay or shale, tolerant of alkalai. Discussion: Ward (1953) listed this taxon as uncommon but locally abundant in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. It is a peripheral in New Mexico and should not be on the rare list. Important Literature: Cronquist, A. 1994. Intermountain Flora. Vol. 5. pg. 164. New York Botanical Garden. Ward, G.H. 1953. Artemisia, Section Seriphidium in North America: A cytotaxonomic study. Contr. Dudley Herbarium 4:155-205. Information Compiled By: Tim Lowrey, 1998 |