Ambrosia pumila

It is adapted to dry habitat, but only on upper floodplain fringes, or adjoining depressions containing vernal pools or similar structures. It is a plant of open habitat and is not tolerant of heavy shade. Most of its native habitat has been consumed by urbanization and development. It is also threatened by agriculture. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. ==Description==

Ambrosia pumila is a hairy perennial herb not exceeding in height. The leaves are gray-green and fuzzy and divided into several subdivided segments. They are up to 13 centimeters long, not counting the winged petioles. The inflorescence is tipped with staminate (male) flower heads above several larger pistillate (female) heads. The pistillate heads each yield usually one fruit, which is a fuzzy burr only a few millimeters wide with short, soft spines. The plant rarely produces seeds. The plant reproduces vegetatively, sending up new sprouts from an elongated rhizome system. ==Conservation==

Critical habitat was declared for the species in 2010, listing areas that should be protected for the survival of the plant. ==References==