Taxon Report

Sphaeromeria potentilloides (Gray) A.A. Heller var. nitrophila (Cronq.) A. Holmgren, Schultz & T. Lowrey

alkali tansy-sage

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. nitrophila, commonly known as alkali tansy-sage, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, and Playas, growing at elevations from 2100 to 2400 meters. Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. nitrophila is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Sphaeromeria potentilloides (Gray) A.A. Heller var. nitrophila (Cronq.) A. Holmgren, Schultz & T. Lowrey
Common Name:
 alkali tansy-sage
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST8S061
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul Jun-Jul
Elevation: 2100-2400 (6890-7875)
General Habitats: Meadows and seeps, Playas
Microhabitat: Alkaline (usually)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G3T3
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 13
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 13

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Mono (MNO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
River Spring (3711885), Whitmore Hot Springs (3711867)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Threatened by grazing and vehicles. See Leaflets of Western Botany 6:49 (1950) for original description and Brittonia 28:261 (1976) for revised nomenclature.
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 17 December 2025].