Kearney's blue-star (Amsonia kearneyana)
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Listing Status:
Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND
General Information
Perennial small (up to 90 cm) herb that has up to 50 sparingly-branched stems arising from the base. Leaves are alternate, oblong to lanceolate and pubescent. Flowers inconspicuous, white, and clustered at the end of the inflorescence. Mature plant may be up to 2 m across.
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This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)
This species is listed wherever it is found, but
- States/US Territories in which the Kearney's blue-star is known to or is believed to occur: Arizona
- US Counties in which the Kearney's blue-star is known to or is believed to occur: View All
- For more information: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Kearney.htm
| Status | Date Listed | Lead Region | Where Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19/1989 | Southwest Region (Region 2) |
» Federal Register Documents
|
» Recovery
Recovery Plan Information Search| Date | Title | Plan Action Status | Plan Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/24/1993 | Kearney's Blue-star | View Implementation Progress | Final |
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/20/2008 | 73 FR 14995 14997 | 5-Year Reviews of 28 Southwestern Species |
» Critical Habitat
No critical habitat rules have been published for the Kearney's blue-star.
» Conservation Plans
No conservation plans have been created for Kearney's blue-star
» Petitions
No petition findings have been published for the Kearney's blue-star.
» Life History
Habitat Requirements
Two types of habitat are identified. The first is on dry, open slopes (20-30 degrees) at 1,220-1830 m elevation in Madrean evergreen woodlands/interior chaparral transition zone. The second is on stable, partially shaded coarse alluvium along dry washes at 1,095-1,160 m elevation under deciduous riparian trees and shubs in Sonoran desertscrub or desertscrub-grassland ecotone.
Reproductive Strategy
Flowers in late April to May, fruiting in July and August. Seeds are cylindrical, corky and 8-11 mm long, 3-4 mm broad. Seeds may often be or seem to be sterile, likely due to insect predation on seeds. May be pollinated by hawk moths. Seed dispersal and germination may be associated with summer monsoon rains.
Other
Two natural population and one established population known to be extant. There may be other populations; however, surveys to date have not located any. Rainfall coming off of degraded watersheds may increase flood flows in washes, and cause erosion of the habitat with loss of plants. Fire is also a threat, particularly if the expansion of non-native invasive plants into the surrounding habitats results in an increase in fire intensity or periodicity.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
