Beardless Chinchweed of Arizona Sky Islands Listed as Endangered Under Endangered Species Act with Critical Habitat

Phoenix, Arizona – Following a rigorous review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the beardless chinchweed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), along with critical habitat protections.

The beardless chinchweed is a flowering perennial in the sunflower family and occurs in the semi-desert grasslands and oak savannas at elevations of 3,800 to 5,700 feet in southern Arizona and northern Mexico.

The ESA defines an endangered species as one in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Federal protections for the beardless chinchweed will raise greater awareness about the threats to it and inspire diverse partnerships on its behalf.

“The Service looks forward to continuing our work with conservation partners in Arizona to protect and recover this rare native plant,” said Regional Director Amy Lueders. “Partnerships with state and federal agencies, private landowners and conservation groups will be central to addressing the threats to the beardless chinchweed and putting it on the path to recovery.”

The beardless chinchweed is found in isolated mountain ranges known as “sky islands” that rise dramatically above the surrounding desert floor in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is threatened by invasive non-native grasses, altered fire regimes, increasing drought and loss of habitat.

The critical habitat designation for the beardless chinchweed will help protect areas identified as essential to its conservation, ensuring that federally funded actions do not harm it. Ninety-seven percent of the 10,604 acres of designated critical habitat for the chinchweed is on federal lands, with the remaining on National Audubon’s Appleton Whittell-Research Ranch. 

The listing appeared in the Federal Register reading room today, and publishes Jun 15, 2021. 

America’s fish, wildlife and plant resources belong to all of us, and ensuring the health of imperiled species is a shared responsibility. The Service is actively engaged with conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the Service’s Ecological Services program, go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.