An insect‐pollinated species in a wind‐pollinated genus: case study of the endemic plant, Laramie chickensage Artemisia simplex

Abstract

Artemisia simplex (Laramie chickensage) is an imperiled, endemic plant in southeastern Wyoming, USA. To fill critical information gaps, we measured its seed viability and pollination mechanisms, measures that are lacking for many rare and endemic plants yet critical for the perpetuation of species. Artemisia simplex cover varied among sites and occupied 5.5% (range: 1.3–14.6%) of the area on average. This unique plant typically produced viable seeds under ambient conditions but did not self‐pollinate. Characteristics of the flower and pollen suggest that A. simplex is primarily animal‐pollinated, and we found that both wind and animals transported pollen to the plant, but wind alone produced fewer seeds. Members of the sagebrush genus are widely known to be wind‐pollinated; however, we demonstrated that this species of sagebrush is largely animal‐pollinated. Plant conservation and management plans must consider the mode of pollen transfer, especially when considering the decline of insect pollinators. Pollination provides information about the persistence of plant populations through sexual reproduction, which produces the genetic variation needed for healthy populations.