White Sands National Monument - A Checklist of Plants of White Sands National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

A Discussion of Dunes Ecology With Revised Checklist

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INTRODUCTION

White Sands National Monument preserves a sea of graceful white gypsum sand dunes--a landscape of stark natural beauty. Life is difficult in the dune field, even for plants adapted to desert conditions. The dune field environment is unusually harsh: plants must endure burial by moving dunes, nutrient-poor gypsum soil, and extreme fluctuations of temperature. Only about 60 species of plants, one quarter of those growing in the adjacent Tularosa Basin, have found a way to survive in the dunes.

This guide combines previously compiled, revised checklists of plants of the White Sands. The following discussion of the ecological aspects of the dunes should help the observer to locate and identify individual species of plants. By placing the checklists in ecological context, it is hoped that the observer will come to think of each plant as a member of a life community interrelating with the dune movement.

ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Ecology is the study of the interrelationships between plants and animals and their physical surroundings. It is literally a study of the home or household of living things. In understanding the ecology of the White Sands, several rather distinct homes, or habitats, must be considered. Most of these habitats are named in terms of the physical surroundings because, as in most arid lands, the inorganic part of the environment is the most prominent and has the greatest influence on the organic parts.

Interdune flats. As the gypsum sand dunes move northwestward across the Tularosa Basin, pieces of the underlying desert floor are exposed between the individual dunes. Most of the plant species inside the dune field grow only in these interdune flats, where conditions are less hostile. Better soil and protection from wind and blowing sand allows plants to survive for a while-- until the next dune buries them.

The most showy wildflowers in the interdune flats include Centaury, a gentian with bright pink flowers; Sand Verbena, with its fragrant lilac-like smell; Stick-leaf, with yellow, star-like flowers; Woolly Paperflower, which stands out against the white dunes in bright yellow clumps in the fall; and Yellow Evening Primrose.

Marginal Dunes. These extend into the dune field two or three miles from its southern and eastern boundary. Most of the dunes in this habitat are slow-moving, scattered and separated by large grassy, interdune areas. Although the dunes are still the prominent feature here, the effects of vegetation in slowing the rate of dune movement is very evident.

The marginal dunes themselves have become relatively heavily populated with flora able to withstand such physical conditions. There are eight species of plants that routinely grow on the marginal dunes. The Soaptree Yucca is found scattered throughout this part of the dune field. Yuccas that can be seen on the tops of dunes actually germinate in interdune areas. As a dune begins to bury them, the yuccas elongate their stems, growing upward as much as a foot per year, to keep their leaves above the sand.

Two large shrubs, Skunkbush Sumac and Hoary Rosemarymint, can also extend their stems and outgrow slow-moving marginal dunes. Their stems and roots can then anchor the dunes, further slowing dune movement and allowing other plants to take root on the relatively stable soil.

This developing plant community attracted animal life from the adjacent desert, which became fit to live on the dunes through evolutionary adaptation. Thus, the marginal dunes are now an ecological complex of unexpected variety and diversity.

Transverse and Barchan Dunes. In the center of the dune field, the physical forces of nature reign supreme. The paucity of plant life in the interior of the dune field is indicative of the harsh environmental conditions that prevail. Large transverse and barchan dunes creep forward many feet per year, overwhelming all plant life in their paths. Even the fast-growing yucca and rosemarymint cannot outgrow these dunes. No plants grow on the tops of the dunes, and only a few hardy species are able to live in the interdune flats until they are covered by sand. This interdune environment, known as the Abronia (Sand Verbena) association, is characterized by openings invaded first by Evening Primrose. These pioneers occupy the lee slope of the migrating dunes, the most recently created portion of the interdune flat. Moving out toward the center (older portion) of the flat, the Primrose is replaced by Indian Ricegrass and, later, Groundsel. The last plants to invade are Sand Verbena, Ephedra, Greenthread, and, finally, Alkali Sacaton.

Alkali Flat and Lake Lucero. The transverse-barchan dunes grade to the west into a narrow zone of embryonic dunes. The latter mark the eastern boundary of an ancient lake bed called the Alkali Flat. Here alkaline conditions prevent the growth of plant life except for a few scattered grasses and a scaly pseudo- evergreen known as Pickleweed. Lake Lucero, at the southern end of the Alkali Flat, occasionally contains standing water. There is little plant growth in the bed of Lake Lucero due to extreme alkaline conditions and infrequent flooding. However, alkaline- tolerant grasses sparsely fringe the shore of the lake.

Alluvial Fans. The alluvial fans at the base of the San Andres Mountains have coalesced to form a broad slope known as a bajada. The lowermost slopes of this extend into the monument and border the Alkali Flat on the west. The bajada is cut at frequent intervals by deep washes or arroyos that empty onto the Alkali Flat and Lake Lucero. Large Honey Mesquite hummocks are the dominant vegetative feature. The mesquite community soon gives way to Creosote Bush higher up on the slopes, near the monument boundary.

Saltbush Flats. The center of this high desert basin, the Tularosa, is vegetated mainly by Four Wing Saltbush and salt- tolerant bunch grasses. As grazing land, it is now very poor but, in the 1800's before the introduction of range cattle, it supposedly was predominately grassland having more of the appearance of plains than desert. A combination of drought and overgrazing may have allowed the hardy saltbush to take over. The eastern and southern edges of the marginal dunes are bordered by these saltbush flats. This grey-green monotony is broken by an occasional splash of bright red blossoms of the Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus in the spring and stands of Golden Crownbeard in the fall.

Exotic plants. Tamarisk, or salt cedar, is a Mediterranean shrub introduced into North America. The aggressive tamarisk has spread throughout the southwest, growing thickly along streams, ponds and other seasonally-wet areas. At White Sands, tamarisk has invaded many interdune areas, where water is close to the surface. To protect native plants, the National Park Service is actively trying to control the spread of tamarisk within the monument. Other exotic plants now found in the park include Russian Thistle, or tumbleweed, and African Rue.

CLIMATIC FACTORS

This high desert basin, averaging 4,000 feet in elevation, is subject to harsh and sometimes rapidly changing climatic conditions. Summers are hot, averaging 95°F highs in July and August, with occasional readings over 100°F. Winter days are relatively mild, but nighttime temperatures routinely drop below freezing. Cold spells can send the mercury to below zero. The lowest temperature on record is a -25°F. Snowfall is infrequent, but heavy snows have occurred on occasion. Precipitation averages about eight inches per year, with most of this occurring during summer thunderstorms, often accompanied by hail.

Wind is the dominant climatic factor here, especially from February through May. The prevailing southwesterly winds blow unimpeded across the desert and at times reach gale proportions. Storms sometimes last for several days in the spring. This is the time of greatest dune movement, when living conditions for dune plant and animal communities become extremely harsh.

PLANT CHECKLIST

The following checklist has been compiled by various qualified individuals over the years since White Sands was established as a National Monument in 1933. Much of the work has been done by National Park Service personnel and volunteers. The latest revision was prepared by park volunteers Paul Shaw and Jeanine Derby. A Flora of New Mexico by W.C. Martin and C.R. Hutchins is the source for scientific names used in this checklist.

Separate checklists of birds and other animals of the white sands are available at the monument bookstore.

CHECKLIST FOR PLANTS
DIVISION - CYANOCHLORONTA (Cyanobacteria)
Oscillatoria sp.
DIVISION - CHLOROPHYTA (Green Algae)
Chlamydomonas sp.
Microcoleus paludosus
Microcoleus vaginatus
Nostoc spp.
Palmogloea protuberans
Pleconema nostocorum
Schizothrix californica
Schizothrix lamyi
Scytonema hofmannii
DIVISION - CHAROPHYTA (Stone Worts)
Nitella sp.
DIVISION - EUGLENOPHYCOPHYTA (Euglendids)
Euglena sp.
DIVISION - THALLOPHYTA (Lichens)
Dermatocarpon lachneum
Fulgensia sp.
Physia aipolia
Psora sp.
Psora decipiens
DIVISION - SPERMATOPHYTA
GYMNOSPERMAE (Non-flowering Plants)
EPHEDRACEAE (Ephedra Family)
Ephedra torreyana	Mormon Tea or Jointfir
Ephedra trifurca	Canatilla
ANGIOSPERMAE (Flowering Plants) MONOCOTYLEDONAE
CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family)
Scirpus paludosus	Salt-Marsh Bulrush
Scirpus microcarpus	Bulrush
JUNCACEAE (Rush Family)
Juncus balticus var. montanus	Rush
Juncus mexicanus	Rush
LILIACEAE (Lily Family)
Yucca elata	Soaptree Yucca
Yucca torreyi	Torrey Yucca
POACEAE (Grass Family)
TRIBE (4) ABUNDINEAE
Arundo donax	Giant Reed
TRIBE (8) STIPEAE
Oryzopsis hymenoides	Indian Ricegrass
TRIBE (13) ERAGROSTEAE
Muhlenbergia arenacea	Ear Muhly
Muhlenbergia porteri	Bush Muhly
Muhlenbergia pungens	Sandhill Muhly
Scleropogon brevifolius	Burrgrass
Sporobolus airoides	Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus contractus	Spike Dropseed
Sporobolus cryptandrus	Sand Dropseed
Sporobolus flexuosis	Mesa Dropseed
Sporobolus giganteus	Giant Dropseed
Sporobolus nealleyi	Gypgrass or Nealley Dropseed
Tridens pulchellus	Fluff Grass
TRIBE (14) CHLORIDEAE
Bouteloua barbata	Six-weeks Grama
Bouteloua breviseta	Gyp Grama or Short- bristled Grama
Bouteloua gracilis	Blue Grama
Chloris virgata	Feather Fingergrass
Hilaria mutica	Tobosa Grass
TRIBE (16) AELUROPODEAE
Distichlis stricta	Desert Saltgrass
TRIBE (19) ARISTIDEAE
Aristida adscensionis	Six-weeks Three-awn
TRIBE (20) PANICEAE
Setaria macrcostachya	Plains Bristlegrass
TRIBE (21) ANDROPOGONEAE
Andropogon scoparius	Little Bluestem
RUPPIACEAE (Ditch-grass Family)
Ruppia maritima	Widgeongrass
TYPHACEAE (Cattail Family)
Typha angustifolia	Narrow-leaved Cattail
Typha latifolia	Common Cattail
ANGIOSPERMAE (Flowering Plants) DICOTYLEDONAE
AIZOACEAE (Carpet-weed Family)
Trianthema portulacastrum	Horse Purslane
AMARANTHACEAE (Amaranth Family)
Amaranthus retroflexus	Pigweed
Tidestromia lanuginosa	Woolly Tidestromia
ANACARDIACEAE (Cashew Family)
Rhus trilobata	Skunkbush Sumac
Rhus microphylla	Little-leaf Sumac
APOCYNACEAE (Dogbane Family)
Amsonia arenaria	Blue-Star
Amsonia hirtella	Blue-Star
ASCLEPIADACEAE (Milkweed Family)
Asclepias arenaria	Sand Milkweed
Asclepias subverticillata	Poison Milkweed
ASTERACEAE (Composite Family)
TRIBE (2) AMBROSINEAE
Hymenoclea monogyra	Singlewhirl Burro-bush
TRIBE (3) ASTEREAE
Baccharis bigelovii	Bigelow Baccharis
Baccharis glutinosa	Seepwillow Baccharis
Baccharis salicina	Willow Baccharis
Chrysothamnus nauseosus	Rubber Rabbitbrush
Chrysothamnus pulchellus ssp. baileyi	Southwest Rabbitbrush
Erigeron bellidastrum	Fleabane
Gutierrezia microcephala	Three Leaf Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae	Broom Snakeweed
Haplopappus heterophyllus	Jimmy-weed
Haplopappus spinulosus ssp. australis	Goldenweed
Machaeranthera linearis	Sand Goldenweed
Machaeranthera parviflora	Wild Aster
Machaeranthera scabrella
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia	Tohoka Daisy
TRIBE (5) HELIANTHEAE
Dicranocarpus parvilflorus	Pitchfork
Engelmannia pinnatifida	Engelmann Daisy
Flourensia cernua	American Tarbush
Helianthus annuus	Common Sunflower
Helianthus petiolaris	Prairie Sunflower
Thelesperma megapotamicum	Greenthread
Verbesina encelioides	Golden Crownbeard
Zinnia grandiflora	Rocky Mountain Zinnia
TRIBE (6) HELENIEAE
Bahia absinthifolia	Bahia
Gaillardia pinnatifida	Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella	Firewheel
Hymenopappus filifolius var. cinereus	Yellow Cutleaf
Pectis angustifolia	Lemonweed
Pseudoclappia arenaria	False Clappia
Psilostrophe sparsiflora	Paperdaisy
Psilostrophe tagetina	Woolly Paperflower
Sartwellia flaveriae	Threadleaf Sartwell
TRIBE (8) SENECIONEAE
Senecio douglasii var.longilobus	Threadleaf Groundsel
Senecio riddellii	Riddell Groundsel
Senecio spartiodes	Broom Groundsel
TRIBE (9) CYNAREAE
Centaurea melitensis	Napa Star Thistle
Centaurea repens	Russian Knapweed
Cirsium wheeleri	Wheeler Thistle
TRIBE (10) MUTISIEAE
Perezia nana	Desert Holly
BIGNONIACEA (Bignonia Family)
Chilopsis linearis	Desert Willow
BORAGINACEAE (Borage Family)
Coldenia hispidissima	Purple Borage
Cryptantha fulvocanescens	Yellow Cryptantha
Heliotropium greggii	Heliotrope
Lappula texana	Stickseed
BRASSICACEAE (Mustard Family)
Descurainia pinnata	Tansy-mustard
Dithyrea wislizenii	Spectacle-Pod
Diplotaxus tenuifolia	Slimleaf Wallrocket
Greggia camporum	Velvety Greggia
Greggia camporam var. linearifolium	White Sands Mustard
Lepidium densiflorum	Peppergrass
Lepidium montanum var. alyssoides	Pepperweed
Lesquerella fendleri	Bladderpod
Sisymbrium irio	London Rocket
Streptanthus validus	Jewel Flower
CACTACEAE (Cactus Family)
Cereus greggii	Night blooming Cereus
Coryphantha macromeris	Nipple Beehive Cactus
Coryphantha sheeri	Needle Beehive Cactus
Coryphantha vivipara var. vivipara	Biscuit Cactus
Echinocactus horizonthalonius var. horizonthalonius	Blue Barrel Cactus
Echinocereus fendleri var. fendleri	Fendler's Hedgehog
Echinocereus fendleri var. rectispinus	Fendler Needle-Spine Hedgehog
Echinocereus ennaecanthus var. stramineus	Straw-colored Hedgehog
Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. gonacanthus	Claret Cup Hedgehog
Opuntia clavata	Club Cholla
Opuntia imbricata	Cane Cholla or Tree Cholla
Opuntia kleiniae var. kleiniae	Klein Pencil Cholla
Opuntia leptocaulis	Desert Christmas Cactus
Opuntia macrorhiza var. macrorhiza	Tuberous-Rooted Prickly Pear
Opuntia macrorhiza var. pottsii	Plains Prickly Pear
Opuntia phaeacantha var. discata	Desert Prickly Pear
Opuntia polyacantha var. rufispina	Red-Spined Prickly Pear
Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra	Long-Spine Prickly Pear
Pediocactus papyracanthus	Paper-Spine Plains Cactus
CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoot Family)
Allenrolfea occidentalis	Pickle-weed
Atriplex canescens	Four-wing Saltbush
Salsola kali var. tenuifolia	Russian Thistle
Suaeda depressa	Seepweed
Suaeda suffrutescens	Desert Seepweed
Suaeda torreyana	Torrey Seepweed
CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning Glory Family)
Cressa truxillensis	Silky Cressa
CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd Family)
Cucurbita foetidissima	Buffalo Gourd
EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge Family)
Croton dioicus	Croton
Euphorbia albomarginata	Whitemargin Spurge
Euphorbia lata	Hoary Euphorbia
Euphorbia serrula	Sawtooth Spurge
FABACEAE (Pea Family)
Astragalus allorchrous	Halfmoon Loco
Cassia bauhinioides	Senna
Cassia lindheimeriana	Senna
Dalea scoparia	Broom Pea
Hoffmanseggia densiflora	Hog-Potato
Melilotus officinalis	Yellow Sweet Clover
Prosopis glandulosa	Honey Mesquite
FOUQUIERIACEAE (Ocotillo Family)
Fouquieria splendens	Ocotillo
FRANKENIACEAE (Frankenia Family)
Frankenia jamesii	Frankenia
GENTIANACEAE (Gentian Family)
Centaurium calycosum	Centaury or Rosita
Centaurium texense	Lady Bird's Centaury
Eustoma exaltatum	Catch-Fly Gentian
Eustoma grandiflorum	Bluebell
HYDROPHYLLACEAE (Waterleaf Family)
Nama carnosum	Gyp Nama
Nama hispidum	Hispid Nama
Phacelia corrugata	Blue-Curls
Phacelia integrifolia	Scalloped Phacelia or Scorpionweed
KOEBERLINIACEAE (Junco Family)
Koeberlinia spinosa	Spiny All-thorn
LAMIACEAE (Mint Family)
	Hoary Rosemarymint
LOASACEAE (Stick-leaf Family)
Cevallia sinuata	Cevellia
Mentzelia pumila var. integra	Blazingstar
Mentzelia pumila var. multiflora	Desert Mentzelia
Mentzelia pumila var. pumila	Stick-leaf
MALVACEAE (Mallow Family)
Sida leprosa var. depauperata	Scrufy Sida
Sphaeralcea angustifolia	Narrow-leaf Globemallow
Sphaeralcea incana	Soft Globemallow
Sphaeralcea subhastata	Globemallow
NYCTAGINACEAE (Four O'clock Family)
Abronia angustifolia	Sand Verbena
Allionia choisyi	Smooth Trailing Four O'clock
Allionia incarnata	Trailing Four O'clock
Ammocodon chenopodioides	Goosefoot Moonpod
Mirabilis multiflora	Colorado Four O'clock
Selinocarpus diffusus	Spreading Moonpod
Selinocarpus lanceolatus	Gyp Moonpod
ONAGRACEAE (Evening Primrose Family)
Calylophus hartwegii	Yellow Evening Primrose
Gaura coccinea	Scarlet Gaura
Gaura parviflora	Lizard Tail
Oenothera albicaulis	Prairie Evening Primrose
Oenothera pallida runcinata	White Evening Primrose
Oenothera pallida latifolia	White Evening Primrose
PAPAVERACEAE (Poppy Family)
Argemone polyanthemos	Prickly Poppy
PLUMBAGINACEAE (Leadwort Family)
Limonium limbatum	Sea-lavender
POLEMONIACEAE (Phlox Family)
Eriastrum diffusum	Wooly Star
Ipomopsis pumila	Low Gilia
Ipomopsis longiflora	Pale Trumpets
POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheat Family)
Eriogonum rotundifolium	Round Leaf Wild Buckwheat
RHAMNACEAE (Buck-thorn Family)
Condalia spathulata	Knifeleaf Condalia
SALICACEAE (Willow Family)
Populus fremontii var. wizlizenii	Rio Grande Cottonwood
Salix gooddingii	Goodding Willow
SANTALACEAE (Sandlewood Family)
Comandra pallida	Bastard-toadflax
SOLANACEAE (Potato Family)
Datura meteloides	Jimson Weed
Datura querifolia	Oak-Leaved Thornapple
Lycium berlandieri var. parviflorum	Terrac Wolfberry
Lycium pallidum	Pale Wolfberry
Lycium torreyi	Torrey Wolfberry
Solanum elaeagnifolium	Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum rostratum	Buffalo Bur
TAMARICACEAE (Tamarix Family)
Tamarix gallica	Salt Cedar or Tamarisk
VERBENACEAE (Verbena Family)
Phyla incisa	Texas Frog-fruit
Verbena bracteata	Prostrate Vervain
VITACEAE (Grape Family)
Parthenocissus inserta	Woodbine
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE (Caltrop Family)
Kallstroemia hirsutissima	Carpetweed
Larrea tridentata	Creosote Bush
Peganum harmala	African Rue
SYNONOMY
FOR	SEE
Andropus carnosus	Nama carnosum
Aplopappus spinulosus	Haplopapus spinulosus
Aster cichoriaceus	Machaeranthera chichoriaceus
Aster linearis	Machaeranthera linearis
Aster parvulus	Machaeranthera parviflora
Aster tenacetifolius	Machaeranthera tenacetifolia
Centaurea picris	Centaurea repens
Chrysothamnus latisquameus	Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Cladothrix lanigulosa	Tidestroma lanuginosa
Comandra umbellata	Commandra pallida
Crassina grandiflora	Zinnia grandiflora
Cressa depressa	Cressa truxillensis
Datura wrightii	Datura meteloides
Dicranocarpus dicranocarpus	Dicranocarpus parviflora
Distichlis spicata	Distichlis stricta
Dimorphocarpa wislizenii	Dithyrea wislizenii
Dondia moquini	Suaeda torreyana
Dondia suffrutescens	Suaeda suffrutescens
Erythrea texense	Centaurium texense
Gilia pumila	Ipomopsis pumila
Heterospermum dicranocarpum	Dicranocarpus parviflora
Hoffmanseggia glauca	Hoffmanseggia densiflora
Isocoma wrightii	Haplopappus heterophyllus
Lepidium alyssoides	Lepidium montanum
Lippia incisa	Phyla incisa
Machaeranthera pinnatifida	Haplopappus spinulosus
Nerisyrenia camporum	Greggia camporum
Nerisyrenia linearifolia	Greggia camporum var. linearifolia
Nuttallia procera	Mentzelia pumila var. pumila
Oenothera hartwegii	Calylophus hartwegii
Oenothera lavandulifolia	Calylophus hartwegii
Oenothera runcinata	Oenothera pallida runcinata
Opuntia engelmannii	Opuntia phaeacantha discata
Phacelia corrugata	Phacelia crenulata
Populus wizlizenii	Populus fremontii var.wizlezenii
Rhus aromatica	Rhus trilobata
Schizachyrium scoparium	Andropogon scoparius
Scirpus maritimus	Scirpus paludosus
Selinocarpus chenopodioides	Ammocodon chenopodioides
Sida lepidota	Sida leprosa
Sphaeralcea lobata	Sphaeralcea angustifolia
Sporobolus asperifolia	Muhlenbergia asperifolia
Sporobolus strictus	Sporobolus contractus
Thelesperma gracile	Thelesperma megapotamicum
Wootonia parviflora	Dicranocarpus parviflorus
Xanthocephalum sarothrae	Gutierrezia sarothrae
Yucca baccata var. torreyi	Yucca torreyi

Last Updated:Wednesday, 22-Nov-00 16:08:06
http://www.nps.gov/whsa/plantlst.htm

A Discussion of Dunes Ecology With Revised Checklist

INTRODUCTION

ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Two large shrubs, Skunkbush Sumac and Hoary Rosemarymint, can also extend their stems and outgrow slow-moving marginal dunes. Their stems and roots can then anchor the dunes, further slowing dune movement and allowing other plants to take root on the relatively stable soil.

This developing plant community attracted animal life from the adjacent desert, which became fit to live on the dunes through evolutionary adaptation. Thus, the marginal dunes are now an ecological complex of unexpected variety and diversity.

CLIMATIC FACTORS

PLANT CHECKLIST

Separate checklists of birds and other animals of the white sands are available at the monument bookstore.

Last Updated:Wednesday, 22-Nov-00 16:08:06http://www.nps.gov/whsa/plantlst.htm

Last Updated:Wednesday, 22-Nov-00 16:08:06
http://www.nps.gov/whsa/plantlst.htm