Official Status:

Life History:

This biennial plant is probably the rarest of all plant species endemic to Ash Meadows. Although little is known about its life history or habitat requirements, it is known to occupy alkaline soils in dry washes and on barren bluffs distributed along the eastern edge of Ash Meadows. Flowering continues from June to September with bright yellow flowers arranged in open, broad infloresences. The blazing star is associated with the Ash Meadows sunray. It is always associated with dry soils apparently uninfluenced by seepage from springs or seeps.

Distribution and Habitat:

It occurs only in Nevada on sandy or saline clay soils along canyon washes and on alkaline mounds. It is often found with the Ash Meadows milk-vetch and the Ash Meadows sunray.

Threats:

The loss of habitat by recent agricultural and municipal development activities, the clearing of land for road construction,the removal of ground water and diversion of surface spring flow, and local mining activities threaten the integrity of the species' habitat and,therefore, their survival.

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