- The flower is named after the Mussentuchit (pronounced Musn’t-touch-it) Desert north of Capitol Reef National Park.
A Rare Desert Native
Fewer than 2,500 Mussentuchit gilia plants remain. The primary, immediate threat to the future survival of this species is the dramatic increase in oil and gas exploration and drilling which destroys the plants and degrades their habitat. In addition to oil and gas development, Mussentuchit gilia is also threatened by off-road vehicle damage and overgrazing.
Natural History
The Mussentuchit gilia is known to exist in only 17 locations along the western slope of the San Rafael Swell. This strikingly beautiful plant has pale blue trumpet-shaped flowers.
Conservation Status
-BLM Sensitive Species in Utah
Action Taken
CNE joined the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Utah Native Plant Society in filing a petition asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list Mussentuchit gilia as a Threatened or Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. The Service subsequently rejected our request. Meanwhile, we are also attempting to secure protections for this rare species through the BLM Resource Management Plan revision process.
Read More
Petition To List Mussentuchit Gilia as Threatened or Endangered
US Fish & Wildlife Service Preliminary Finding on a Petition To List Mussentuchit Gilia as Endangered or Threatened
