Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Tribe: Cichorieae
- Genus: Stephanomeria
- Species: Stephanomeria elata A. Gray
Common names
- Tall stephanomeria
- Tall wireweed
Description
Stephanomeria elata is an herbaceous plant that may be annual or short‑lived perennial. It produces an erect, slender, often unbranched stem that can reach heights of 0.5–1.5 m. The stems are glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Leaves are primarily basal, forming a rosette; they are linear to lanceolate, 2–7 cm long, and have entire margins. The inflorescence is a narrow, spike‑like panicle composed of many small flower heads. Each head typically contains 4–5 tubular ray florets, which are pink to purplish in color; disc florets are absent. The fruit is an achene equipped with a pappus of fine bristles that aid wind dispersal.
Distribution and habitat
Native to western North America, S. elata is reported from the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and California, extending into parts of the Great Basin and the Cascade and Sierra Nevada foothills. It occurs in dry, open habitats such as sagebrush steppe, desert scrub, rocky slopes, sandy or gravelly soils, and disturbed sites. Elevational range is typically from 300 m to 2,500 m.
Ecology
Flowering occurs from late spring through midsummer. The pink‑purple florets attract a variety of native insects, including bees and butterflies, which act as pollinators. Seed dispersal is primarily anemochorous (wind‑driven) owing to the pappus. The species is adapted to arid conditions and can persist in sites with limited moisture and nutrient availability.
Conservation status
NatureServe assigns Stephanomeria elata a global rank of G4 (Apparently Secure), indicating that it is not presently at risk of extinction across most of its range. Localized threats may include habitat loss due to development, overgrazing, or invasive plant encroachment, but these have not been documented as causing widespread decline.
Uses
There are no widely documented economic or medicinal uses for S. elata. The plant may have minor value in native plant landscaping for xeriscape or restoration projects seeking drought‑tolerant species.
References
- USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. PLANTS Database. Stephanomeria elata A. Gray.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 2022. Flora of North America (Vol. 19). Oxford University Press.
- NatureServe Explorer. Stephanomeria elata – Global Conservation Status.
Note: All statements are based on currently available botanical literature and databases. No speculative or unverified information is included.
