A Flora of the White Mountains, California and Nevada - by Robert M Lloyd & Richard S Mitchell

Book Synopsis

A Flora of the White Mountains, California and Nevada explores the rich and diverse plant life of this isolated mountain range, renowned for housing the oldest living plants on Earth--bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva). With elevations ranging from 4,000 feet to the summit of White Mountain Peak at 14,246 feet, the flora of the White Mountains is shaped by the harsh conditions and unique geography of the region. The book delves into the four major vegetation zones--desert scrub, pinyon woodland, subalpine forest, and alpine tundra--each hosting distinct plant communities. The flora includes approximately 815 vascular plant species, many of which are shared with the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin, while others are endemic to the region. Through detailed fieldwork conducted between the 1960s and 1970s, the authors document this botanical treasure trove, contributing valuable insights to the study of plant migration, adaptation, and conservation.

The book offers an in-depth look at the plant communities across varying elevations, from the desert scrub dominated by shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) to the alpine tundra, home to species like Eriogonum gracilipes and Phlox covillei. Special attention is given to the bristlecone pine forests in the subalpine zone, where unique species such as Heuchera duranii and Trifolium monoense thrive. The flora's comparative study reveals the region's significant botanical diversity, with species that span arctic-alpine and montane-boreal affinities, as well as many that have migrated from the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. By examining the ecological and geographical influences on the flora, the book highlights the importance of the White Mountains as a critical area for understanding plant evolution and the effects of climatic change.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.