ScienceDaily reported on the discovery of two new species of desert poppy. Shannon Still who was studying the genus Eschscholzia for her dissertation made the discovery. The genus Eschscholzia is best know for the including the California Poppy/Eschscholzia californica.
The two new desert species E. androuxii and E. papastillii are found in desert washes, flats, and slopes growing in coarse and sandy soil across California deserts and parts of Arizona. Eschscholzia androuxii has a small range, is fairly uncommon and is suggested that it be listed as a rare plant species. The wide distribution of the other species, suggests there are no conservation threats at the moment.
“What is interesting about these new species is that, while people have been collecting these plants for decades, they were not recognized as something different” Still said. “They were always confused for existing species. This confusion led to my study of the group, and ultimately, recognizing something new. I imagine there are many more desert plant species that are also understudied.”
Read more at: California and Arizona amaze with two new species of desert poppy — ScienceDaily.
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