Chaetopappa hersheyi

Chaetopappa hersheyi
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Genus:	Chaetopappa
Species:	C. hersheyi
Binomial name
Chaetopappa hersheyi S.F.Blake

Chaetopappa hersheyi is the scientific name of the rare perennial plant Hershey's cliff daisy; it is a species of flowering plants belonging to the Asteraceae family, or more commonly known, the sunflower family. Many vernacular names have been adapted to this plant including Guadalupe least daisy and Guadalupe lazy daisy; this name emerges from the fact that these plants are found in the Guadalupe Mountains between Texas and New Mexico.^[1] The name also alludes to the plant's discoverer, Alfred Hershey who collected it in 1944; it was described by Sidney Fay Blake in 1946.^[2]

Description

Hershey's cliff daisy's stem to an average of about 5 cm (2 in) high, but have been recorded to up to 15 cm (6 in), and end at a single flower head. The stem of the plant has rigid and ascending hairs with a standard 4–6 leaves on it. The leaves are spatulate or lance shaped and spiny at the tip, they range from 1.5 to 6.0 mm (0.06 to 0.24 in) long and up to 1 mm (0.04 in) wide.^[2] Composed of white ray florets and yellow disk florets, the plant resembles the common or lawn daisy, Bellis perennis, in color. It has the white petals and yellow center, but has fewer petals and seems to be smaller in width. They originally blossom a light bluish color, then fading to white when mature and finally drying maroon.^[3]

It is considered an herb or flower because it lacks woody material when established.^[3] Hershey's cliff daisy is a vascular, seed and flowering plant, this implies that these plants conduct water and minerals through the plant, and produce seeds and flowers. A type of simple, dry fruit is produced from this plant called an achene.^[2]

Ecology

It is endemic to steep limestone cliffs in woodland and rocky Mountain montane coniferous forest communities, as well as walls, ledges and banks,^[1] usually at 1,500–2,400 m (4,900–7,900 ft). It is relatively abundant in the Guadalupe Mountains.^[4]

The plant grows in full sun to partial shade conditions and its blooming time is in late spring to early fall, with the most blooming during May.^[5] It attracts bees, butterflies and birds. There are no major threats to this species other than collection along trails. Most plants grow in inaccessible locations, however.^[1]

The species has a NatureServe conservation status of G3, vulnerable. This implies that it is at moderate risk of extirpation, or extinction, in its jurisdiction due to its restricted range. The plant grows around seeps.^[6]

Similar species

The closest relative to this species is the Sierra Blanca cliff daisy, Ionactis elegans.^[1] As the name suggests, it is abundant in the Sierra Blanca Mountains in New Mexico and therefore has a practically identical habitat to Chaetopappa hersheyi. The major differences between the two lie in the fruits they produce and the stem hairs.^[1]

References