Linanthus killipii (Baldwin Lake Linanthus)
Credit: Ioana Anghel
about the species
Linanthus killipii is an annual flowering plant species in the family Polemoniaceae. Its sister species, L. parryae, is the plant at the center of the scientific debate about which forces of evolution maintain polymorphisms. Linanthus killipii shares this feature with its sister species, with pink and white flowered individuals occurring in the same populations. It is known from a few populations in a narrow geographic range on the northwest side of the San Bernardino Mountains at 1300-2400 meters in elevation.
why species was selected
L. killipii is endemic to one mountain top area, and it is ranked as rare and threatened by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Forest Service. Our study will provide an assessment of the genomic health of this species that will enhance current conservation efforts.
