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Las Vegas Bearpoppy
by Hermie Hiatt

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The Las Vegas Bearpoppy (arctomecon californica) is a regional endemic plant limited to gypsum soils in the eastern Mojave Desert. This species was formerly called California bearpoppy, although it is not found in California. It is only found in the northern part of Clark County, Nevada, and a few sites in northwest Arizona. The distribution of the Las Vegas bearpoppy is patchy, across low "badland" hills, and sometimes on ridges and benches. Major populations occur in the Las Vegas Valley and on gypsum soils associated with the Colorado River drainage.

Las Vegas bearpoppy is one of the most beautiful plants in the Mojave Desert with its large golden blooms, and its cluster of silvery-green fuzzy leaves at the base. The wedge-shaped leaves have a three-toothed blunt apex suggestive of a bear paw. In the spring, each naked flower stalk bears several large bright-yellow flowers, making it easily distinguishable from the surrounding plants.

Las Vegas bearpoppy was once widespread and abundant on its special gypsum soils, but urban development and other land uses have extirpated nearly 50 populations in the western portion of its distribution. Most of the habitat loss has occurred in the last several decades. The populations on private lands have sustained the heaviest habitat losses, especially in the Las Vegas Valley.

Arctomecon californica was formerly a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing as a threatened species until 1995 when it was reclassified as a "species of special concern". However, the State of Nevada lists Las Vegas bearpoppy as a Critically Endangered plant. Under the current Clark County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan and the Bureau of Land Management’s Habitat Management Plan, specific habitat management actions are being developed to maintain and improve the habitat of the Las Vegas bearpoppy, which will hopefully prevent its extinction.