The EcoRestore Utah initiative identifies several native perennial plant species capable of supporting ecological restoration across various Utah counties through specialized functions such as heavy metal remediation, pollinator habitat creation, and erosion control.
Remediation through Yerba Mansa
Yerba Mansa, scientifically known as Anemopsis californica, serves as a specialized tool for soil and water remediation. According to the EcoRestore Utah assessment tool, this perennial forb is best suited for wetland, riparian, and flooding conditions. The plant is noted for its ability to decrease the amount of arsenic in contaminated water.
Growing in Utah and Washington counties, Yerba Mansa thrives in clay, loam, and sand soils under alkaline or salt conditions. The species typically reaches a maximum height of 1.5 feet and produces white flowers. Its blooming season spans from February through October. While it has a long germination rate, the plant is characterized by high reproduction and is commercially available.
High-Elevation Western Coneflower
Western Coneflower, or Rudbeckia occidentalis, is a high-cover perennial herb that grows rapidly in high-elevation environments. The EcoRestore Utah assessment tool notes it thrives in elevations between 7,000 and 10,000 feet across a wide range of Utah counties, including Cache, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber.
This species is particularly effective for management goals involving wildlife, songbird, and pollinator habitats, as well as erosion control. It prefers acidic conditions in clay, loam, or sand and can tolerate low light and disturbed areas. Western Coneflower produces yellow flowers from July through September and requires cold stratification for germination.
Benefits and Risks of Western Aster
Western Aster (Symphyotrichum ascendens) offers significant ecological benefits for biodiversity, specifically serving as a habitat for pollinators, bumblebees, and Monarch butterflies. This perennial herb is best suited for riparian environments, flooding, and disturbed areas.
While the plant is an effective accumulator of selenium—which can assist in the rehabilitation of soils—the EcoRestore Utah assessment tool warns that livestock feeding on these plants in such areas are subject to selenium poisoning. The species produces purple flowers from July through October and can reach a maximum height of 2 feet. It is commonly found in various Utah counties, including Beaver, Carbon, Sanpete, and Wasatch.
Heavy Metal Tolerance in Western Yarrow
Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a rapid-growing perennial herb that is highly effective for energy reclamation, erosion control, and providing habitats for upland game, songbirds, and pollinators. The plant is noted for its ability to grow in soils containing heavy metals such as copper, nickel, chromium, and lead.
According to the EcoRestore Utah assessment tool, Western Yarrow is best suited for environments impacted by fire, disturbance, or riparian conditions. The species produces white flowers between April and June and can reach heights of up to 3 feet. While the plant is considered slightly toxic and can tend to be weedy, it is seldom grazed by livestock, making it a low concern for ranchers. It is found throughout much of Utah, including Boxelder, Duchesne, and Sevier counties.
Ecological Restoration Potential
The identified species demonstrate the diverse roles native plants play in Utah's ecosystems. From the arsenic-reducing properties of Yerba Mansa to the selenium-accumulating capabilities of Western Aster and the heavy metal resilience of Western Yarrow, these plants provide specialized tools for land management and habitat restoration.
