Ivesia rhypara | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Ivesia |
Species: | I. rhypara
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Binomial name | |
Ivesia rhypara Ertter & Reveal
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Ivesia rhypara is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name grimy mousetail, or grimy ivesia. It is native to Oregon and Nevada in the United States.[1]
This perennial herb grows from woody roots and a branching caudex.[2] It has hairy, overlapping, compound basal leaves and stems up to 15 centimeters long. At the ends of the stems are clustered white or pale-yellow flowers. Blooming occurs in May through October.[1][3]
There are two varieties of this plant. The var. rhypara grows on barren tuff and var. shellyi grows in rock cracks and crevices on pumice and tuff.[1] When the plants grow in rock fissures they sometimes appear to be lined up in rows.[4] Associated plants include Purshia tridentata, Poa sandbergii,[1] Gilia congesta, Sitanion hystrix, Scutellaria nana, and Eriophyllum lanatum.[3]
Threats to this species, particularly var. rhypara, include gold mining, as the habitat contains gold deposits. Other threats include cattle, off-road vehicles, fire suppression, and loss of pollinating insects.[4]
The plant gets the name rhypara ("grimy" in Greek) both from its dusty appearance and from its discoverer, James W. Grimes.[3][4]