Pogogyne abramsii
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| Pogogyne abramsii Howell |
Pogogyne abramsii, the San Diego mesa mint, is an endangered annual plant of the vernal pool ecosystem. It is found only in isolated patches of seasonally wet habitat in San Diego County, California. Like many other vernal pool species, the plant thrives in wet soil, can tolerate some inundation, and flowers once the standing water drops below its level. This mint is a small dark reddish-green plant that blooms with tiny bright pink tubular flowers. It has a strong sweet mint scent.
Land in San Diego County is extremely valuable and is being claimed for development at a fast pace. This plant is mostly found in the Miramar and San Marcos areas, where development of residential housing happens to be booming. The plant's federally endangered status has given it some protection. It is a sensitive plant; even in a healthy, undisturbed vernal pool it does not tolerate overcrowding by other plants or even those of its own species, nor soil that is too wet or too dry. Much of the San Diego mesa mint's habitat is on the grounds of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where ecologists have reclaimed land and carefully rebuilt vernal pools. Endangered plants and animals such as fairy shrimp have successfully taken hold there.
