Flora of the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River

The Amargosa River Basin in Inyo County, California, is home to at least 19 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, three of which are federally listed; the Amargosa niterwort (Nitrophila mohavensis), the Ash Meadows gumplant (Grindelia fraxinipratensis) and the spring-loving centaury (Zeltnera namophila). Threats to the listed plant species of the Amargosa River Basin include hydrological alteration, climate change, proliferation of invasive species, mineral mining, off highway vehicle activity, habitat degradation, and trampling by horses. Spring-loving centaury (Zeltnera namophila, Gentianaceae) has been the subject of taxonomic disagreement for decades. It was previously thought to be endemic to Nevada, and was excluded from the California flora in prior floristic treatments. In 2012, revised taxonomic treatment identified this species as occurring in California; however, it’s the status is poorly understood because it has frequently been misidentified as the more common species Zeltnera exaltata (tall centaury). We will report on recent surveys conducted in Inyo County California, to clarify the distribution and status of this threatened species and discuss proposed future work.