Stellaria sanjuanensis

Stellaria sanjuanensis

Family
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Scientific Name with Author

Stellaria sanjuanensis M.T.Sharples & E.Tripp, nom. nov.

Common Name
San Juan Mountains Starwort
Agency Status
USFWS State of NM USFS BLM Navajo Nation State Rank Global Rank R-E-D Code NMRPTC Status Strategy Status
Counties
Distribution

Colorado and New Mexico: San Juan, Elk, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado, extending into more southerly portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in far northern New Mexico

Habitat

Stellaria sanjuanensis is narrowly restricted to dry, exposed alpine scree slopes of usually volcanic origin

Remarks

Sharples and Tripp split S. sanjuanensis from S. irrigua based on DNA analysis, morphological characteristics and habitat preferences (2019).  Much of what was previously identified as S. irrigua from the southern Rocky Mountains is now S. sanjuananesis. Apparently not rare. Considered peripheral in NM.

Important Literature

Sharples, Mathew T. & Erin A. Tripp. 2019. RAD sequencing rejects a long-distance disjunction in Stellaria
(Caryophyllaceae) and yields support for a new southern Rocky Mountains endemic. Taxon, Vol.68, Issue 2, pages 280-296. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.12059

Information Compiled By
Daniela Roth 2021

For distribution maps and more information, visit Natural Heritage New Mexico