Nitrophila mohavensis

Distribution and habitat

Nitrophila mohavensis is endemic to the Amargosa Desert, straddling the border of California and Nevada east of Death Valley and near Death Valley National Park. There are three occurrences known on the Nevada side and fewer than five occurrences in California.

The plant grows only in alkaline salt pans made up of moist and drying, salt-encrusted clay soils surrounded by other halophytes, such as Atriplex confertifolia and Cleomella brevipes.

Description

Nitrophila mohavensis, the Amargosa niterwort, is a petite rhizomatous perennial herb growing no more than about 10 centimeters tall. It produces erect branches, often in pairs, covered in fleshy oval-shaped green leaves 3 or 4 millimeters long.

The inflorescence is a solitary flower or cluster of a few flowers emerging from between the leaves. The flower lacks petals but has pink petallike sepals which fade white with age.

Conservation

Nitrophila mohavensis is a federally listed endangered species and is listed as a critically endangered and fully protected species by the State of Nevada. Its range is restricted and highly localized, making it vulnerable to severe losses or extinction in a single event.

The plant only occurs within and around the remnants of Carson Slough in the Ash Meadows area, including within Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge which is a protected area but is still affected by alterations in the hydrology of the landscape. Other threats include potassium and zeolite mining in the area and occasional illegal off-road vehicle use.

References

References

1. (2022). "NatureServe Explorer". NatureServe.
2. "Nevada Natural Heritage Program Rare Plant Fact Sheet".
3. "California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Profile".
4. "Nitrophila mohavensis in Flora of North America @ efloras.org".
5. Nevada Division of Natural Heritage. (April 2025). "NDNH Current Track List".
6. "NAC: CHAPTER 527 - PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF TIMBERED LANDS, TREES AND FLORA".
7. USFWS. [http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr952.pdf Determination of threatened status with critical habitat for six plants and one insect in Ash Meadows, Nevada and California; and endangered status with critical habitat for one plant in Ash Meadows, Nevada and California.] ''Federal Register'' May 20, 1985
8. The plant relies on saturation of its soil by a high [[water table]], and the main threat to its existence is the pumping of [[groundwater]].USFWS. [http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc1864.pdf Amargosa Niterwort Five Year Review]. December 2007.