Eriogonum gypsophilum
Encyclopedia
Eriogonum gypsophilum is a rare species of wild buckwheat
known by the common names Seven River Hills buckwheat and gypsum wild buckwheat. It is endemic to the state of New Mexico
in the United States, where it is known from only three sites in Eddy County
. It is limited to a specific type of soil which is high in gypsum
. The plant has been federally listed as a threatened species of the United States since 1981.
This rare plant can be found at three locations in Eddy County, New Mexico: the Seven River Hills, the Black River, and the Ben Slaughter Draw, a small, sloping valley
. The plant only grows on gypsum substrates, including outcrops of gypsum rock and areas with gypsum soils. There are few other plants in this barren, rocky habitat, except for other gypsophiles
. Plants that grow with the buckwheat on this nearly pure gypsum substrate include Coldenia hispidissima, Mentzelia humilis, and Anulocaulis leiosolenus. This area is within the Chihuahuan Desert
and surrounding habitat includes creosote scrub.
This plant is a perennial herb which usually reproduces vegetatively
, by producing new stems from its rhizome
, in effect cloning
itself. Sometimes it reproduces sexually
by making seed
, however, the habitat and climate where it grows is often unsuitable for germination
. Because many plants are clones rather than separate genetic individuals it is difficult to estimate the true number of plants existing. One estimate suggests there are 11,000 to 18,000 plants in each of the three populations. It is possible that more populations exist in unsurveyed gypsum rock habitat across the Eddy County border, in the state of Texas
, but much of this habitat is on private land and is not open for exploration.
This wild buckwheat species produces erect stems up to 20 centimeters tall and bearing inflorescence
s of many tiny bright yellow flowers in headlike clusters or cymes. The base of the plant is surrounded by a mat of green leaves growing on the branching caudex
.
The plant is found on an area of land measuring under 250 acres (1 km²) total. Much of the plant's habitat, including half of the Black River and Ben Slaughter Draw tracts and most all of the Seven River Hills, is protected within the bounds of Bureau of Land Management
oversight. In addition, the BLM will manage this land through the year 2028, even if the plant loses federal protection. The main threat to the species is habitat destruction
during gypsum mining
and oil and gas exploration, but this is prevented in BLM territory. There was only one population of the plant known in 1981 when it was federally listed; the other two have been discovered since, increasing the known abundance. In 2007, this factor, plus the lack of threats to the species as long as BLM protection is in place, led the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
to suggest the species be delisted, or removed from the endangered species list
.
Eriogonum
Eriogonum is the scientific name for a genus of flowering plants, in the family Polygonaceae. The genus is found in North America and is known as wild buckwheat. This is a highly species-rich genus, and indications are that active speciation is continuing...
known by the common names Seven River Hills buckwheat and gypsum wild buckwheat. It is endemic to the state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
in the United States, where it is known from only three sites in Eddy County
Eddy County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*77.4% White*1.4% Black*1.5% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.0% Two or more races*16.0% Other races*44.1% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. It is limited to a specific type of soil which is high in gypsum
Gypsum
Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found in alabaster, a decorative stone used in Ancient Egypt. It is the second softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale...
. The plant has been federally listed as a threatened species of the United States since 1981.
This rare plant can be found at three locations in Eddy County, New Mexico: the Seven River Hills, the Black River, and the Ben Slaughter Draw, a small, sloping valley
Draw (terrain)
A draw a terrain feature formed by two parallel ridges or spurs with low ground in between them. The area of low ground itself is the draw, and it is defined by the spurs surrounding it...
. The plant only grows on gypsum substrates, including outcrops of gypsum rock and areas with gypsum soils. There are few other plants in this barren, rocky habitat, except for other gypsophiles
-phil-
Suffixes with the common part -phil- are used to specify some kind of attraction or affinity to something, in particular the love or obsession with something...
. Plants that grow with the buckwheat on this nearly pure gypsum substrate include Coldenia hispidissima, Mentzelia humilis, and Anulocaulis leiosolenus. This area is within the Chihuahuan Desert
Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a desert, and an ecoregion designation, that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border in the central and northern portions of the Mexican Plateau, bordered on the west by the extensive Sierra Madre Occidental range, and overlaying northern portions of the east range, the Sierra...
and surrounding habitat includes creosote scrub.
This plant is a perennial herb which usually reproduces vegetatively
Vegetative reproduction
Vegetative reproduction is a form of asexual reproduction in plants. It is a process by which new individuals arise without production of seeds or spores...
, by producing new stems from its rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
, in effect cloning
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
itself. Sometimes it reproduces sexually
Sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction is the creation of a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms. There are two main processes during sexual reproduction; they are: meiosis, involving the halving of the number of chromosomes; and fertilization, involving the fusion of two gametes and the...
by making seed
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
, however, the habitat and climate where it grows is often unsuitable for germination
Germination
Germination is the process in which a plant or fungus emerges from a seed or spore, respectively, and begins growth. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm. However the growth of a sporeling from a spore, for example the...
. Because many plants are clones rather than separate genetic individuals it is difficult to estimate the true number of plants existing. One estimate suggests there are 11,000 to 18,000 plants in each of the three populations. It is possible that more populations exist in unsurveyed gypsum rock habitat across the Eddy County border, in the state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, but much of this habitat is on private land and is not open for exploration.
This wild buckwheat species produces erect stems up to 20 centimeters tall and bearing inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s of many tiny bright yellow flowers in headlike clusters or cymes. The base of the plant is surrounded by a mat of green leaves growing on the branching caudex
Caudex
A caudex is a form of stem morphology appearing as a thickened, short, perennial stem that is either underground or near ground level . It may be swollen for the purpose of water storage, especially in xerophytes...
.
The plant is found on an area of land measuring under 250 acres (1 km²) total. Much of the plant's habitat, including half of the Black River and Ben Slaughter Draw tracts and most all of the Seven River Hills, is protected within the bounds of Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
oversight. In addition, the BLM will manage this land through the year 2028, even if the plant loses federal protection. The main threat to the species is habitat destruction
Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
during gypsum mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and oil and gas exploration, but this is prevented in BLM territory. There was only one population of the plant known in 1981 when it was federally listed; the other two have been discovered since, increasing the known abundance. In 2007, this factor, plus the lack of threats to the species as long as BLM protection is in place, led the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
to suggest the species be delisted, or removed from the endangered species list
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
.