Aletes humilis

Aletes humilis is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common names Colorado aletes and Larimer aletes. It is native to Colorado in the United States; it is also known from Wyoming, but there are no recent collections there.[1]

Aletes humilis

Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Apiales
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Aletes
Species:
A. humilis
Binomial name
Aletes humilis

This plant forms a mound or cushion up to 10 centimeters tall by 20 wide. The thick, leathery, bright green leaves have toothed edges.[1][2] The leaves have a celery-like or "soapy" scent.[3] The short inflorescence has yellow flowers.

This plant grows in cracks and crevices on rock outcrops and cliffs. The habitat is dry.[2] The vegetation is a sparse mix of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Other plants in the habitat include quaking aspen, fivepetal cliffbush kinnikinnick, common juniper, wax currant, littleflower alumroot, bigflower cinquefoil, mountain muhly, and needle and thread grass.[3]

This species was first discovered in Larimer County, Colorado, in the 1890s.[3] Today there are about 39 known occurrences.[1]

References
  1. Aletes humilis. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. Aletes humilis. Archived 2011-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
  3. Moore, L. and S. Friedley. Aletes humilis Coult. & Rose (Colorado aletes): A Technical Conservation Assessment. Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project. September 24, 2004.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.