Taxon Report

Nitrophila mohavensis Munz & Roos

Amargosa nitrophila

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Nitrophila mohavensis, commonly known as Amargosa nitrophila, is a perennial herb in the Amaranthaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Playas, growing at elevations from 425 to 750 meters. Nitrophila mohavensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Nitrophila mohavensis Munz & Roos
Common Name:
 Amargosa nitrophila
Family: Amaranthaceae
Element Code: PDCHE0G010
USDA Plants Symbol: NIMO
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Oct May-Oct
Elevation: 425-750 (1395-2460)
General Habitats: Playas
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G1
State Rank:
 S1
State List: CE
Fed List: FE
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bole Spring (3611633), Death Valley Junction (3611634), Resting Spring (3511682), Tecopa (3511672)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 10
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 100 %
Development 2 100%
ORV activity 2 100%
Other 1 50%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 50%
Vandalism/dumping/litter 1 50%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 50%
Grazing 1 50%
Groundwater pumping 1 50%
Mining 1 50%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 50%

Notes
Known in CA from fewer than five occurrences near Carson Slough in the Amargosa Desert. Severely threatened by water diversion and habitat alteration. State-listed as Critically Endangered in NV. See Aliso 3:112-114 (1955) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 19 November 2025].