Laguna Mountains Goldenbush [Ericameria cuneata (Gray) McClatchie var. macrocephala Urbatsch]
Listing None 1B R-E-D Code 2-1-3
State/Federal. Status -- None ASTERACEAE Sept.-Dec.
Global Rank G5T2? State Rank S2.3
Distribution: San Diego County
Habitat: This shrub grows clustered around rocky knolls in montane chaparral. Sheephead rocky fine sandy loams are mapped for the Garnet Peak site.
Known Sites: This localized form of a much wider ranging species has a greater number of disk flowers per head than the typical form. It grows on Garnet Peak near the summit; a herbarium specimen was examined from Desert View Point in the Laguna Mountains.
Status: This shrub is apparently quite rare and has a very limited range. All populations should be protected. Further taxonomic work should be done to re-determine that this is a distinctive variety of the wider ranging variety spathulata.
Copyright © May 1994 Craig H. Reiser.