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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge I perhaps owe having become a painter to . -Claude Monet Introduction Guide Key

Welcome Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Symbols Refuge location where plant can be Refuge, established in 1984, is the most commonly seen: largest oasis in the , supporting an incredible diversity of Crystal Spring boardwalk plants and wildlife year-round. Over 24,000 acres of alkali seeps, springs Point of Rocks boardwalk and other unique habitats make Ash Meadows a biological wonder for Longstreet boardwalk everyone to enjoy and protect. Peterson Reservoir

Enjoying the With such rare habitats, Ash Devils Hole Refuge's Plants Meadows has some of the most unique plant communities in the world. Unlike some desert areas where flowers bloom simultaneously Conservation * an Ash Meadows endemic plant in spectacular spring-time displays, Status Symbols (only grows in the Ash Meadows the blooms at Ash Meadows are much area) more subtle and span the entire year. † an endangered Natural fluctuations in weather can ‡ a threatened species affect bloom times as well. In any ▲ a non-native or season, something is blooming for insects and birds to eat, and people to admire. Look carefully and tread lightly—you will be amazed by what you discover! Alkali mariposa lily. Cyndi Souza/USFWS

Using this Plant This list includes over 40 of the Guide approximately 340 plant species at Ash Meadows. Each of the plants listed are used by culturally affiliated American Indians for both food and medicines. These tribes have revealed select information and caution visitors not to collect, eat or prepare plants, possibly harming an individual or the land. While collecting plants is strictly prohibited, observation and photography are encouraged. For Credits Many dedicated individuals made more information, contact the refuge this project possible. Deserving of office at 775/372 5435. special recognition are the Nuwuvi/ Newe Working Group, Cyndi Souza, Cristi Baldino, Christina Nalen, Sharon McKelvey, Wendy Smith and Alyson Mack. &

Alkali Rabbitbrush Desert Chrysothamnus albidus hymenelytra This perennial is commonly The jagged of this evergreen seen growing in alkaline flats shrub resemble Christmas holly, throughout the refuge. Its small, though they are not related. Dormant highly resinous leaves help reduce in the summer, the leaves lose water loss in an intensely hot and dry moisture, making it appear shriveled environment. A member of the aster and dead. The leaves turn on edge to family, it is covered by bright white reduce sun exposure and their silver or yellow flowerheads in late summer scales reflect light. This plant grows and fall. Native peoples use it as and flowers in the winter, pollinated building material and a chewing gum. not by insects but by wind. All these adaptations allow the desert holly to Size: 1-4' tall Size: 1-3' tall survive the hottest season. Blooms: Aug.-Nov. Blooms: Jan.-April

Arrow Weed Desert Mistletoe Pluchea sericea Phoradendron californicum This tall, willow-like shrub grows This reddish, parasitic plant in thickets around springs, streams is commonly found growing on and other on the refuge. mesquite trees. Technically, it is a Its pink flowers provide a welcome hemiparasite—it relies on its host burst of color in spring and summer. for water and nutrients, but produces For Native peoples, arrow weed uses some sugars through . include making arrow shafts, shelters, Its leaves and flowers are tiny and shades, granaries and roasting pit scale-like which, like the spines on liners from the straight shoots and a cactus, help it to conserve water. branches. Inedible to humans, the white-pink berries are eaten by Phainopepla Size: 3-16' tall Size: 1-3' tall birds, which help spread the mistletoe Blooms: Mar.-July Blooms: Jan-March from to tree.

Creosote Bush Dodder Cuscuta sp. A characteristic shrub of the Mojave This yellow- twining plant Desert, creosote is well-adapted to has thread-like stems resembling its harsh environment. Resins on spaghetti. Lacking chlorophyll, its small leaflets slow water loss— leaves, and , the mature dodder it also drops some leaves during plant survives through parasitism— periods of drought. It can continue to obtaining all its sugars and water photosynthesize despite very dry soil from a host plant. Its small flowers conditions. Through self-cloning, a produce seeds in the spring that single plant can survive for hundreds, need a suitable host plant. The young or even thousands, of years. plant twines in a counter-clockwise This important plant is used by direction, then eventually uproots Size: 2-10' tall American Indians for firewood, Size: vinelike and lives entirely off its host. Blooms: Apr-May arrows, shades, tool handles and Blooms: Mar-May other useful items. Honey Mesquite Quailbush Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana Atriplex lentiformis breweri In spring, this thorny tree produces Like many desert shrubs, quailbush spikes of yellow flowers that attract sometimes drops its leaves during the , wasps and other insect summer and remains dormant until . The pods (shown) spring. Its edible seeds and blue- are long, straight and sweet to the gray leaves provide food and shade taste—true to its name. Native for Gambel's quail and other wildlife people managed honey mesquite in the alkaline flats where it grows. for its edible pods, which are also Amazingly, quailbush and shadscale enjoyed by cottontails, ground are the only known host plants squirrels and coyotes. Found in dense for saltbush sootywing stands wherever ground water is caterpillars (adult Size: 5-30' tall available, a long taproot can reach Size: 3-10' tall butterfly shown Blooms: May-June water at depths of up to 190 feet. Blooms: July-Oct. here).

Velvet ash trees in the fall. Screwbean Mesquite Prosopis pubescens This thorny tree is named for its 1-2" long, tightly coiled seed pods that resemble screws (shown). The pods are eaten in large quantities by coyotes and small mammals, which assist in dispersing the seeds to new areas. Native people collect and cure the pods then ground them into flour for consumption. At one time, the pods were also used as a trade item.

Size: up to 25' tall Blooms: May-June

Leather- or Velvet Ash Seep Willow velutina Baccharis emoryi The leather-leaf ash is the tree for This tall, leafy shrub forms graceful which "Ash Meadows" is named. thickets along springs and streams. Historic references to "gallery stands Despite its name, seep willow is not of ash" suggest that it may have been a true willow but a member of the more prominent in years past. The sunflower family. It is also called leaves of this smooth-barked tree "coyote bush", possibly due to its turn a golden yellow in the fall and bushy clusters of flowers resembling completely drop off in the winter. a coyote's tail. The long, slender, Native people used this plant to evergreen leaves are coated with a make tools, utensils and cradleboard resin that deters herbivory and aids frames. Short sticks of ash were used water retention. Native people use Size: up to 40' tall to hunt chuckwalla. Size: up to 12' tall this plant as fuel for starting fires. Blooms: April-May Blooms: Aug-Dec Grasses & Allies

Shadscale Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides Found in alkaline flats, this densely This perennial bunchgrass forms branched shrub, sometimes called dense clumps in alkaline flats. Like "spiny saltbush" has woody stem all grasses, its roots form a dense mat tips that become rigid and sharply underground that helps hold soil in pointed. Its consist of a single place. This prevents erosion, retains seed clustered between two papery soil moisture, and keeps down dust. that turn red or pink when For this reason, managers often use mature (shown). Unlike many desert sacaton in habitat restoration on the shrubs, shadscale is "semi-evergreen", refuge. retaining some leaves year round. This gives it a head start at Size: 1-2' tall photosynthesizing—producing food— Size: 1-7' tall Blooms: April-July in the spring while its new leaves are Blooms: Apr-Oct still developing. Wild Grape Common Reed Vitis arizonica Phragmites australis Commonly seen growing around This bamboo-like grass with springs and streams at Ash Meadows, purplish-white plumes is widely this large woody vine has maple-like distributed around the world, and leaves, shreddy bark and coiling has become a noxious weed in tendrils. Tiny, inconspicuous white several states. Dense colonies can be flowers bloom in spring and turn into found on the refuge. The long plant dark blue, juicy fruits in late summer stems under or along the ground and fall. The grapes are edible and send out roots and shoots known as provide a tasty treat for birds and "". American Indians use other animals. It has been managed a local variety to make arrows, fire by Native people as a food and drills, pipes, game tokens and house Size: vinelike beverage. Size: 6-12' tall walls. Blooms: May-June Blooms: July-Nov

Wire-lettuce Saltgrass pauciflora The stalks of this small shrub This low grass forms dense, carpet- are leafless and therefore wire-like, like stands in seasonally wet alkaline giving wire-lettuce its name. Though soils. Its leaves secrete excess salt, not edible, it is related to garden allowing it to survive in highly saline lettuce—characterized by milky sap soils. The salt crystals may also serve and heads composed entirely of ray to reflect sunlight off the leaves, flowers. The seeds bear tufts of fine, thereby reducing water loss. This light brown bristles that act like plant aids habitat restoration by parachutes, catching in the wind and helping to prevent erosion, retain soil spreading the seeds. moisture and reduce dust. American Indians use this plant to enhance the Size: 1-2' tall Size: up to 1' tall flavor of their food. Blooms: May-Aug. Blooms: Apr-July Showy Wildflowers

Southern Cattail Alkali Heliotrope Typha domingensis Heliotropium curassavicum This tall, perennial aquatic plant Alkali heliotrope, true to its name, is grows in dense colonies in springs found in moist to dry alkaline (salty) and streams throughout the soils, usually near water. Its flowers refuge. Historically, cattails were are borne in a scorpion-tail-like less common on the refuge, but spike that uncoils as the flower opens developments and agricultural in May or June. The name comes activity have caused them to become from the Greek word heli meaning overgrown in many wetlands. The "sun" and tropos meaning "to turn", brown spikes ripen in summer and referring to the plant's ability to break open in fall, releasing millions turn toward the sun. This plant of fluffy seeds to the wind. likes disturbed areas (bare soil) and Size: 10-12' tall Size: 0.3-2' tall spreads rapidly from a -like Blooms: May-June .

Beavertail Cactus Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris Beavertail, like all cacti, is well adapted to extremely hot, arid environments. While most plants make their food during the day, opening up their leaves' pores to absorb carbon dioxide, cacti run the risk of losing too much water to the dry desert air. Instead, cacti photosynthesize at night when temperatures are cooler. Beavertail take it one step further by not Size: 3-16" tall photosynthesizing at all during the Blooms: Mar-June hot summer.

Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium spp. Despite its name and grass-like appearance, blue-eyed grass belongs in the family. Its delicate blue- violet blossoms embellish spring pool banks, streams, meadows and alkaline flats throughout the refuge in spring. Botanists have identified two species of blue-eyed grass on the refuge, Mojave thistle seeds are an important food as well as a possible hybrid with for lesser goldfinches characteristics of both species. in their spring and fall migration. Size: up to 1.5 ' tall Wendy Smith/USFWS Blooms: Mar-May Desert Globemallow Preuss' Milkvetch Sphaeralcea ambigua preussii Found growing on rocky slopes and The long, branched stems of this roadsides, desert globemallow is the plant will often creep, forming a low- most drought-resistant member of crouching ground cover. Its leaves the mallow family. Bighorn look like those of the common pea, often graze on this plant. Another its close relative. During spring, it name, "sore-eye poppy", refers to the blooms in colorful displays of dark stiff hairs on its leaves and stems purple flowers. Its seed pods are that hurt when accidentally rubbed small, pointed and inflated. This is in the eye. It has been used to make not to be confused with the very rare, a thick syrup for potter's clay and to federally threatened, Ash Meadows coat the surface of drying pottery. milkvetch. Size: 1-3' tall Size: up to 1' tall Blooms: Feb-April Blooms: Mar-April

Desert Paintbrush Mojave Aster angustifolia Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia This perennial desert flower is This member of the sunflower a hemiparasite - it lacks a well- family usually blooms in spring developed root system, and instead, but sometimes waits until fall. The attaches to the roots of a host plant brilliant lavender flower head can to obtain water and nutrients. grow up to 2" in diameter. After wet Surprisingly, it is not the flower that winters, its may be covered attracts people's attention, but the with black/gray/orange striped bright red bracts (modified leaves) caterpillars—the larvae of the desert beneath each flower. The flowers are checkerspot butterfly. Look for it the greenish tubes located directly around the Point of Rocks boardwalk. above each . The similar Size: up to 1.5' tall paintbrush grows up to 4' Size: 0.5-2' tall Blooms: Mar-Apr tall and blooms later, in fall. Blooms: Mar-May

Desert Trumpet Mojave Thistle inflatum mohavense Native people use this plant, also This spiny native thistle grows in a called Indian Pipeweed, to make variety of habitats, including alkaline pipes, whistles, and children's toys. flats, meadows and wetlands. Its pink It also serves as a food source. It to white flower blooms in summer. can be seen on rocky slopes, along The seeds are a preferred food for roads, and on sandy flats. The desert migratory lesser goldfinches in fall trumpet's most distinctive feature is and winter. Native people eat parts its swollen stem. A particular species of this thistle after careful processing of wasp deposits her eggs inside and preparation. the young, green stems of desert trumpet. The eggs hatch inside and Size: up to 1' tall the wasp larvae grow, eventually Size: 2-8' tall Blooms: Mar-April chewing their way out. Blooms: July-Oct Prince's Plume Yerba Mansa Stanleya pinnata Anemopsis californica This mustard is often seen along This low-growing perennial is washes, slopes, and roadsides. It identified by its large, round leathery produces 4–12" spikes of yellow leaves and large white blossoms. In flowers. Prince’s plume prefers winter, the reddish stolons (above- selenium-rich soils and accumulates ground shoots) are very conspicuous the mineral at levels toxic to humans along the ground. New flowers sprout and livestock. Native people have from these creeping stolons, allowing traditionally managed this plant the plant to form beautiful, dense as a food source, collecting it stands when in springtime bloom. during particular times of year and It prefers springs and wet meadow preparing it according to exact and habitats. Size: 1-5' tall proper methods. Size: 6-20" tall Blooms: Apr-Sept Blooms: May-June

Sacred Datura wrightii Yerba mansa turns a The showy white flowers of datura deep reddish hue in close during the day, opening at night the winter. to attract its primary — Alyson Mack/USFWS the hawkmoth. Hawkmoths are specially equipped with long tongues to access nectar from these trumpet- like blossoms. Though the moths suffer no permanent damage from their meal, datura is known for its hallucinogenic, and potentially lethal, effect on humans. Size: 1.5-5' tall Blooms: Mar-Nov telescoping mustard grows up to 10 feet tall Telescoping Mustard Thelypodium integrifolium This mustard is striking because of its tall leafless stalks arising from large basal leaves. Found across the western , this species likes alkaline soils in Ash Meadows. Native people use this plant for food.

Size: 1-10' tall Blooms: Aug-Sept Rare & Endemic Plants

Alkali Mariposa Lily Ash Meadows Gumplant*‡ striatus Grindelia fraxino-pratensis These beautiful and delicate flowers Ash Meadows gumplant derives its are critically endangered in the name from a gum-like substance State of . Small populations found on its flower . It grows grow in only ten spots within the in moist clay and alkaline soils, refuge. The greatest potential threat producing multiple lemon-yellow to their habitat at Ash Meadows flowers. In 1985, Ash Meadows is the lowering of the water table gumplant was listed as a threatened caused by groundwater pumping in species. It is considered an endemic surrounding areas. Look for them in species—it only grows on the refuge alkali meadows and washes. and a small area in neighboring Inyo County, . Size: up to 8" tall Size: up to 1' tall Blooms: April-June Blooms: June-Oct

Amargosa Niterwort*† Ash Meadows Ivesia*‡ mohavensis Ivesia kingii var. eremica The Amargosa niterwort is endemic Ivesia is a of the family to the Ash Meadows area. It is also known as "mousetails". These our only endemic plant designated perennial herbs are native to western as an endangered species. While this . The incredibly hardy, plant is now federally protected, some salt-tolerant Ash Meadows ivesia, also Native people feel that the Amargosa known as Ash Meadows mousetails, niterwort is endangered because it grows in alkali washes throughout was disrespected and chose not to the refuge. It prefers moist, clay soils reproduce. with a prominent salt crust.

Size: up to 4" tall Size: up to 5" tall Blooms: April-June Blooms: Aug-Oct

Ash Meadows Blazingstar*‡ Ash Meadows Lady's Tresses* Mentzelia leucophylla Spiranthes infernalis The Ash Meadows blazingstar is This endemic plant is one of only two a biennial or short-lived perennial orchid species on the refuge. Like plant—during its first year of growth many orchids, it stores its pollen it forms a whorl of leaves at its base, in a package, or pollinia. Visiting but doesn't produce any flowers. It bees collect this pollinia on their grows in small outcroppings, hills or long tongues and transfer it to other slopes with loose, uncompacted soil. flowers for pollination. Lady's tresses In 1985, this refuge-endemic plant are found along springs and in wet was listed as a federally threatened meadows within only 34.7 acres on species and is the rarest endemic the refuge. Since its habitat is so plant on the refuge. limited, it is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Size: up to 20" tall Size: up to 16" tall species of concern. Blooms: May-Sept Blooms: June-Aug Ash Meadows Milkvetch*‡ Tecopa Birds Beak* Cordylanthus tecopensis Not to be confused with the more Tecopa birds beak occurs in Nevada common freckled milkvetch, the within an extremely limited range Ash Meadows milkvetch has hairy, that includes the refuge. It is also grayish-green leaves that form low a known associate of spring-loving mounds up to 20 inches wide. The centaury and often occurs within plants grow in hard alkaline upland the same habitat types, including soils. The pinkish-purple, pea- wet meadows, seeps, and the banks shaped flowers extend up from the of spring channels. Its small, foliage, with 1–2 flowers per stem. inconspicuous flowers vaguely The is a small legume that can resemble a bird's beak, thus its name. hold 30 seeds. An early bloomer, Look for it in clay, alkaline soils along Size: 20" wide it is a favorite food of black-tailed Size: 6" tall the Crystal Spring boardwalk. Blooms: Mar-May jackrabbits on the refuge. Blooms: July-Oct

Ash Meadows Sunray*‡ White Bearpoppy nudicaulis var. corrugata Arctomecon merriamii This perennial grows from a clumped American Indians were the first base with twisted, fuzzy leaves. Its to identify and gather traditional bright yellow flowers grow on leafless knowledge on white bearpoppy, also stalks. The sunray prefers hard, known as white bearpaw poppy. The whitish alkaline soils, particularly in first scientifically described specimen upland areas and limestone washes. It was collected by Merriam and produces copious amounts of nectar Bailey during the 1891 Death Valley and pollen, and attracts a broad array expedition, hence its scientific name. of insects. One study found over 55 Look for these delicate flowers with species of bees, wasps, flies, ants, fuzzy leaves in gravel substrates of beetles, spiders and butterflies on its alluvial fans. Size: up to 2' tall blossoms—more than any other plant Size: up to 6" tall Blooms: April-May on the refuge after mesquite trees! Blooms: April-June

Spring-loving Centaury*‡ Pollinator Superhero! Zeltnera namophila Megachile lippiae is not your average . This species has rebounded since While most bees the refuge was created and is now store pollen on their abundant around wet meadows, seeps legs, Megachile and springs in summer. It is capable carries it under its of self-fertilization, but benefits abdomen for easy greatly from the services of insect access to a flower's pollinators like bees and wasps. Its pistil, where new numerous branched stems emerge seeds develop. Leaf-cutter bee, from a single base, giving a bush- Many plants on the Megachile lippiae. like appearance. These stems bear refuge depend on multiple small, pink flowers about the Megachile's super-pollinator size of a dime. Size: up to 2' tall skills for their survival, including three threatened Blooms: July-Sept plants: the spring-loving centaury, Ash Meadows sunray and Ash Meadows lady's tresses. Refuge Plant Checklist wheeleri Aizoaceae (Fig-Marigold) Chrysothamnus albidus Sesuvium verrucosum Chrysothamnus nauseosus Chrysothamnus paniculatus (Amaranth) Cirsium mohavense Amaranthus albus▲ Cirsium vulgare▲ Amaranthus blitoides Conyza canadensis▲ Amaranthus retroflexus▲ Conyza coulteri *† Crepis runcinata ssp. hallii Nitrophila occidentalis Dicoria canecens Tidestromia oblongifolia farinosa Encelia frutescens Anacardiaceae (Sumac) Encelia viginensis Rhus trilobata Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. corrugata*‡ lanosum Apiaceae (Carrot) canescens Hydrocotyle verticillata Gnaphilum luteo-album▲ Grindelia fraxino-pratensis*‡ (Dogbane) microcephala tomentosa Hazardia brickelloides Apocynum cannabinum annuus▲ Helianthus nuttalii Arecaceae (Palm) Hymenoclea salsola Phoenix dactylifera▲ acradenia Washingtonia filifera▲ Iva acerosa ssp. robustior Asclepidaceae (Milkweed) Lactuca serriola▲ erosa arida Asclepias fascicularis Machaeranthera carnosa Asclepias speciosa glabrata Monoptilon belloides (Sunflower) Palafoxia arida var. arida? shockleyi Pectis papposa var. papposa Acroptilon repens▲ Pleurocoronis pluriseta Ambrosia dumosa Pluchea odorata Ambrosia psilostachya Pluchea sericea Amphipappus fremontii Porophyllum gracile Aster pauciflorus Prenanthella exigua Aster subulatus var. ligulatus platyphylla Psathyrotes ramosissima Baccharis emoryi Pyrrocoma racemosa var. ? pleniradiata Rafinesquia neomexicana juncea var. asper Solidago spectabilis desertorum Sonchus asper ssp. asper▲ parryi Stephanomeria pauciflora var. ? Xanthium strumarium Centaurea melitensis▲ Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia stevioides Boraginaceae (Borage) (Caper) Amsinkia tesselata var. ? sparsifolia Cryptantha angustifolia Cryptantha circumscissa Cleomella obtusifolia Cryptantha confertiflora Oxystylis lutea Cryptantha pterocarya Cryptantha virginensis Caryophyllaceae (Pink) Heliotropium curassavicum Scopulophila rixfordii Lappula redowski var. capulata Pectocarya platycarpa Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot) Pectocarya recurvata Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. micranthus ssp. canescens Tiquilia canescens var. canescens Atriplex confertifolia Tiquilia plicata Atriplex hymenelytra Atriplex lentiformis ssp. torreyi (Mustard) Atriplex parryi Arabis holboelli var. ? Atriplex phyllostegia Cardaria draba▲ Atriplex polycarpa Descurania pinnata Bassia hyssopifolia▲ Descurania sophia▲ Chenopodium album▲ Dithyrea californica Hutchinsia procumbens Halogeton glomeratus▲ flavum var. flavum Kochia californica Lepidium fremontii var. fremontii Kraschninnikovia lanata Lepidium lasiocarpum var. lasiocarpum Monolepis nuttalliana Lepidium montanum var. cinereum Salsola paulsenii▲ Lepidium perfoliatum▲ Sarcobatus vermiculatus Malcolmia africana▲ Suaeda moquinii Physaria chambersii Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum▲ Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) Sisymbrium irio▲ Convolvulus arvensis▲ Stanleya pinnata var. ? Cressa truxillensis Streptanthella longirostris Thelypodium integrifolim ssp. affine Cucurbitaceae (Gourd) palmata Cactaceae (Cactus) Echinocactus polycephalus Cuscutaceae (Dodder) Echinocereus engelmannii Cuscuta pentagona ? Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei Mammillaria tetrancistra Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris Opuntia echinocarpa Opuntia ramosissima Sclerocactus johnsoni

Campanulaceae (Bellflower) Nemacladus gladuliferus var. ? (Sedge) Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii maritimus Trifolium ssp.▲ Bolboschoenus robustus Carex praegracilis Gentianaceae (Gentian) Cladium californicum Zeltnera namophilum*‡ parishii Eleocharis rostellata Geraniaceae (Geranium) thermalis Erodium cicutarium▲ Schoenoplectus americanus Schoenus nigricans Hydrocharitaceae (Waterweed) Najas marina Eleagnaceae (Oleaster) Eleagnus angustifolius▲ Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf) Eucrypta micrantha Ephedraceae Nama demissum var. demissum funerea Nama pusillum Ephedra nevadensis Phacelia calthifolia Ephedra torreyana Phacelia crenulata var. multiflora Phacelia fremontii Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) Phacelia pachyphylla Chamaesyce albomarginata Phacelia vallis-mortae Chamaesyce micromeria Chamaesyce parishii Iridaceae (Iris) Chamaesyce polycarpa Sisyrinshium funereum Chamaesyce serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia Sisyrinchium radicatum Croton californicus Ditiaxis californica (Rush) Euphorbia incisa balticus Juncus cooperi (Legume or Pea) Juncus nodosus Acacia greggii Astragalus laynae Juncaginaceae (Arrow-grass) Astragalus lentiginosus concinna var. debilis Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus Astragalus phoenix*‡ Krameriaceae (Rhatany) Astragalus preussii erecta mollis Krameria grayi Dalea mollissima lepidota (Mint) Lotus corniculatus▲ Marrubium vulgare▲ Lupinus arizonicus Salazaria mexicana Lupinus sparsiflorus Salvia columbiariae Medicago sativa▲ Salvia dorrii var. ? Melilotus alba▲ Melilotus indica▲ Liliacae (Lily) Melilotus officinalis▲ Asparagus officinalis▲ Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana Calochortus flexuosus Prosopis pubescens Calochortus striatus Dichlostemma capitatum ssp. ? Plantaginaceae (Plantain) schidigera Plantago inuslaris Plantago major▲ (Loasa) Plantago ovata urens Mentzelia leucophylla*‡ Mentzelia obscura Achnatherum hymenoides Mentzelia oreophila Agrostis semivericillata ▲ Mentzelia tricuspis Andropogon glomeratus var. scabriglumis Petalonyx thurberi ssp. ? Aristida purpurea var. ? Arundo donax ▲ Lythraceae (Loosestrife) Avena sativa ▲ Lythrum californicum Bromus madritensis var. rubens ▲ Cenchrus echinatus ▲ (Mallow) Cynodon dactylon ▲ rotundifolia Distichlis spicata Malvella leprosa Echniochloa crusgalli ▲ Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ? Elytrigia pontica ssp. pontica ▲ Erioneuron pulchellum Nyctaginaceae (Four o'clock) arundinacea ▲ Allionia incarnata Festuca pratensis ▲ Mirabilis bigelovii var. ? Hordeum jubatum Selinocarpus nevadensis Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum ▲ Hordeum vulgare ▲ Nymphaceae (Water Lily) Leptochloa uninervia Nuphar odorata▲ Leymus cinereus perenne ▲ (Olive) Muhlenbergia asperifolia Fraxinus velutina Muhlenbergia utilis Menodora spinescens Panicum virgatum Phragmites australis Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) Poa secunda ssp. secunda Camissonia boothii ssp. ? Polypogon monspeliensis ▲ Camissonia brevipes ssp. brevipes Schismus arabicus ▲ Camissonia claviformis ssp. integrior Sorghum bicolor▲ Camissonia heterochroma Sorghum halepense ▲ Gaura mollis? Spartina gracilis Oenothera deltoides ssp. ? Sporobolus airoides Oenothera elata ssp. hirsutissima Vulpia octoflora var. ?▲

Orchidaceae (Orchid) (Phlox) Epipactis gigantea Eriastrum eremicum ssp. eremicum Spiranthes infernalis* hutchinsifolia Gilia latifolia (Poppy) Gilia ripleyi Arctomecon merriamii polycladon corymbosa Langlosia setosissima ssp. setosissima Eschscholzia minutiflora Polygalaceae (Milkwort) Salix exigua Polygala acanthoclada Salix googgingii

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) Sauraceae (Lizard's Tail) Chorizanthe brevicornu var. ? Anemopsis californica Chorizanthe rigida Eriogonum brachypodum Scrophulariacae (Snapdragon) Eriogonum contiguum Castilleja angustifolia Eriogonum deflexum var. ? Castilleja linariifolia Erigonum heermannii var. ? Cordylanthus tecopensis* Erigonum inflatum var. deflatum Mimulus guttatus Erigonum inflaum var. inflatum Mohavea breviflora Eriogonum reniforme Veronica americana Eriogonum thomasii Veronica anagallis-aquatica▲ Eriogonum trichopes Polygonum argyrocoleon▲ (Nightshade) Rumex crispus▲ Datura wrightii Rumex hymenosepalus var. oligospermum Potamogetonaceae (Pondweed) Lycium shockleyi Potamageton pectinatus Nicotiana obtusifolia Ruppia cirrhosa Physalis crassifolia eleagnifolium▲ Primulaceae (Primrose) Dodecatheon pulchellum Tamariacaceae (Tamarisk) Samolus parviflorus Tamarix aphylla▲ Tamarix parviflora▲ Pteridaceae (Brake) Tamarix ramosissima▲ Cheilanthes feei Pellaea sp. Typhaceae (Cattail) Typha domingensis (Buttercup) parishii ssp. parishii Viscaceae (Mistletoe) Phoradendron californicum Resedaceae (Mignonette) Oligomeris linifolia Vitaceae (Grape) Vitus arizonica Rosaceae (Rose) Ivesia kingii var. eremica*‡ Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop) Larrea tridentata (Madder) Tribulus terrestris▲ stellatum var. eremicum

Rutaceae (Rue) Thamnosma

Salicaceae (Willow) Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge HC 70 Box 610-Z Amargosa Valley, Nevada 89020 Telephone: 775/372 5435 FAX: 775/372 5436 http://desertcomplex.fws.gov/ashmeadows

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov

Cover photo Ash Meadows sunray Alyson Mack/USFWS Inside cover photo desert paintbrush Alyson Mack/USFWS

July 2012