ARIZONA NEWS

Rare Arizona wildflower protected under Endangered Species Act

Jun 12, 2022, 9:00 AM
(NRDC photo)...
(NRDC photo)
(NRDC photo)

PHOENIX — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected the Arizona eryngo, a wetland wildflower, under the Endangered Species Act on Thursday.

The cream-colored, spherical flowers only exist in four remaining populations in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts in Arizona and Mexico.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a species can be listed as endangered if it is “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range” or is “likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

The Arizona eryngo is imperiled due to groundwater pumping leading to water loss, habitat alteration and overgrazing by livestock, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Center for Biological Diversity. Climate change a key instigator, as well.

The Center explained the southwest is hotter and drier than it has been historically, and thus precipitation and soil moisture has decreased.

More than 95% of cienega habitats, or desert wetlands, in the southwest have dried up, alienating the few remaining populations of Arizona eryngo.

In response, the Service designated 12.7 acres of protected cienega habitat east of Tucson at La Cebadilla (3.1 acres) and the Lewis Spring in the San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area southwest of Tombstone (9.6 acres).

“I’m so glad these big, beautiful plants and the rare cienega habitats where they live are getting these badly needed protections,” Robin Silver, cofounder and board member at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. “The eryngo gives us one more reason to save the San Pedro River.”

The protection of the Arizona eryngo comes in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society.

“It is under high magnitude imminent threat of extinction due to habitat degradation from declining groundwater levels, drought, and climate change,” the petition explained. “This petition seeks Federal protection for the critically imperiled species.”

The protections went into effect on Saturday.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo/Mecum Auctions)...
KTAR.com

Mecum collector car auction comes to Glendale’s State Farm Stadium

A collection-car company is bringing a plethora of vehicles to Glendale's State Farm Stadium all week long. 
23 hours ago
A homeless person sits in the median at an intersection Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Phoenix.  (AP...
SuElen Rivera

Arizona judge orders city of Phoenix to find solution for homeless encampment

An Arizona judge on Monday ordered the city of Phoenix to find a solution for the homeless encampment, otherwise known as "the Zone."
23 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County)...
Associated Press

Arizona judge has cases reassigned following DUI arrest

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that all cases currently assigned to a Yavapai County Superior Court judge recently arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI will be reassigned to other judges.
23 hours ago
Kevin Salas-Madrid (Photo courtesy of MCSO)...
KTAR.com

Employee arrested for attempted murder in shooting at west Phoenix business

An employee accused of shooting a man last week at the west Phoenix business where he worked has been arrested.
23 hours ago
(City of Tempe Photo)...
KTAR.com

Tempe Town Lake reopens after brief closure caused by increased debris

Tempe Town Lake reopened Monday to boating activities after a rise in debris caused a brief closure over the weekend, city officials said. 
23 hours ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
KTAR.com

4 Glendale jewelry store robbers sentenced to at least 7 years in prison

Four men were handed sentences of at least seven years in prison for their roles in a failed Glendale jewelry store heist last year.
23 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
(Pexels Photo)...

Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but it’s a dangerous game for children

While adults may find that sports gambling is a way to enhance the experience with more than just fandom on the line, it can be a dangerous proposition if children get involved in the activity.
(Desert Institute for Spine Care photo)...
DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Why DISC is world renowned for back and neck pain treatments

Fifty percent of Americans and 90% of people at least 50 years old have some level of degenerative disc disease.
Rare Arizona wildflower protected under Endangered Species Act