A Floristic Study of the Vascular Flora of the Brokeoff Mountains, Southcentral New Mexico

Author

Bryana L. Olmeda, University of New MexicoFollow
Harpo Faust, University of New MexicoFollow
Hannah E. Marx, Cornell UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Spring 5-17-2025

Abstract

The vascular flora detailed here describes 438 km² (169 mi²) of the Brokeoff Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. The Brokeoffs are part of the northern extent of the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America and one of the ecoregions least represented in botanical collections. Prior to 2023, only 254 plant collections were known from the study site, representing roughly 1.5 collections per 2.59 km² (1 mi²), despite strong research interest in its neighboring Guadalupe Mountains. Over two field seasons, 1920 plant collections were made, over 81 days of field work conducted, in order to capture the floristic diversity of this region. This work resulted in 448 taxa captured for the study area. This research increased plant collections 7-fold, including 8 rare plant taxa, and two state collection records.

Keywords

floristics, conservation, collection-based research, Chihuahuan Desert, grasslands

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Hannah Marx

Second Committee Member

Joseph Cook

Third Committee Member

Ben Legler

Fourth Committee Member

Harpo Faust

Recommended Citation

Olmeda, Bryana L.; Harpo Faust; and Hannah E. Marx. "A Floristic Study of the Vascular Flora of the Brokeoff Mountains, Southcentral New Mexico." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/biol_etds/626