The Endangered Dwarf/Low Bearpaw Poppy Gallery Photo Gallery by Wm. Bates at pbase.com

The Endangered Dwarf/Low Bearpaw Poppy Gallery

This little white poppy only grows in few areas of the Southwest United States. The soil needs to be high in gypsum. Because of the high demand for gypsum in the building trade this little flower is near extinction. These are some of the only plants in Utah. There are people that want to develop this land. They have opened it up to dirt bikes, 4-wheel drives and ATVs. I guess, if the plants are all killed then the land can be developed. :^(

For information on other rare plants in Utah see http://www.unps.org/index.html

Dwarf/LowBearpaw Poppies and me	A Flower in the Road.jpg	Bearpaw Poppy Area.jpg	Bearpaw Poppy6.jpg
Bearpaw Poppy7.jpg	Bearpaw Poppy8.jpg	Bearpaw Poppy3.jpg	Bearpaw poppy2.jpg
Bearpaw Poppy4.jpg	Bearpaw Poppy5.jpg

comment |

Guest		19-Apr-2005 14:45
Very nice pictures. These however are not Merriam's bearpaw poppy. Rather this is the Dwarf Bearclaw Poppy (or more properly, "Low" bearclaw poppy). The species is Arctomecon humilis and it ONLY grows in Utah, i.e it does NOT grow in Nevada. The species that grow in Nevada are Arctomecon californica ("Las Vegas poppy") and Arctomecon merriamii ("white bearclaw poppy). All are gypsophiles. Arctomecon humilis pictured here is at least 50 miles distant from its "cousins" in Nevada and is the most genetically distinct. It is also the rarest and "most endangered." It is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. More information about this species: www.utahrareplants.org http://www.unps.org/PAGES/ch_southern.html http://www.unps.org/PAGES/washingtoncountyrareplants.html http://www.unps.org/poppy/history.html And yes, irresponsible off-road vehicle use is a serious, serious threat to this species. Tony Frates Utah Native Plant Society Rare Plant Coordinator Conservation co-chair www.unps.org P.S. This species does not occur in Idaho and the picture uploaded relating a species in Idaho is not this species.

James Lundy		22-Aug-2004 20:57
Hey Bill, I think I have a photo you might find interesting. But I need your help with it first. I think I have a picture of a what I think may be your Merriam's Bearpaw Poppy. Except this one was taken by my girlfriend a few years ago when she lived in Idaho. The image was taken at Bruneau Dunes www.idahoparks.org/parks/bruneaudunes.html Who knows it might be a place you and Wanda might want to visit some day since it's in your corner of the country. The image is herehttp://www.pbase.com/lundy/inbox be warned that the images was take with a point and click and is overexposed to it might be hard to actually identify. I would thank you if you give it a try.

Guest		21-May-2004 23:06
It would appear that the tire tracks visible in many of the shots will seal this poor plant's fate. I like my fun as much as the next person, but off-road vehicles sure destroy habitat. John

Guest		03-May-2004 15:09
These are such a pretty flower! It is strange to see them growing out in the middle of "nothing" like that. I hope that they can save them!

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment