Life Sciences Commons^™

California Grasslands Alkali Specialist, Hemizonia Pungenspungens, Prefers Non-Alkali Soil, Kari E. Veblen

Kari E. Veblen

Edaphically severe habitats commonly support edaphic endemics, specialized plant species that do not occur elsewhere. The endemism of native plant species in edaphically specialized habitats suggests either (a) that these native endemic species are uniquely specialized to survive and grow better under the conditions prevalent in these harsh areas, or (b) that these areas represent refuges from competition with other (often exotic) species.