Talk:Navarretia
Add topicLatest comment: 10 months ago by Llywrch in topic Navarretia willamettensis
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Navarretia willamettensis
[edit]I just saw a report on the local news that this plant, also known as the Willamette Phlox, is about to be placed on the endangered list. However, a Google search turns up only one item. Anyone know more about this species?
A personal note: I remember finding this as a kid in my parents' backyard, 60 or so years ago. It was found in the neighborhood, although not common. Weird coincidence. Haven't seen it since, but there are a lot of weeds I remember from my childhood I haven't seen since so otherwise that's not notable. -- llywrch (talk) 03:21, 10 September 2025 (UTC)
- @Llywrch There is not currently a Wikipedia page for Navarretia willamettensis, but it's a legitimate species. Here is the Oregon Flora Project (OSU Herbarium) page for the taxon, which includes no information beyond some images and a range map. There is more information on this species page, and you can find the original description of the taxon here. Plants of the World Online, which seems to me the taxonomic authority Wikipedia follows (for the most part) does recognize this species.
- I am currently working on dwarf mistletoe articles but can add this to my longer term to-do list, or someone else can start this article.
- This species is very difficult to distinguish from much more common Navarretia species which are widespread through the Willamette Valley, which is part of the reason why it went incognito for so long before being discovered relatively recently. I was lucky enough to chance on this species while poking around in a vernal pool in Eugene a few years ago, and there's pretty interesting information on my iNaturalist observation from that encounter! I am happy to chance the licensing on some of those photos for use on Wikipedia if better images cannot be found. HolyEgg (talk) 02:50, 5 October 2025 (UTC)
- Hi @HolyEgg:, based on the recorded range of N. willamettensis, the plant I remember finding in my parents' backyard might not be an example of that species since their house was to the north of Beaverton. Especially as their backyard was not a wetland, although there was one about 100 yards away. Perhaps it was N. intertexta? I'll admit that I'm drawing on a memory of some 60 years ago, so beyond the fact it was a round, prickly weed with tiny white flowers I can't be certain. And I might not have even remembered this plant had I not seen a news segment about it shortly before I wrote this comment. -- llywrch (talk) 05:09, 5 October 2025 (UTC)