CARSON CITY, Nev.— The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will soon begin reviewing whether to give enhanced protections to the imperiled Tiehm’s buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii), a rare Nevada wildflower.

Tiehm’s buckwheat is a small perennial wildflower with beautiful white blossoms, which grows on just 21 acres of public land in the remote Silver Peak Range of Esmerelda County, Nevada. It faces dire threats from mining exploration and a proposed open-pit mine encompassing its entire habitat.

The Center for Biological Diversity recently submitted petitions for state and federal endangered species listing for the wildflower and filed a lawsuit to halt construction.

“It’s encouraging that the state agrees that this little wildflower faces dire threats and needs to be evaluated for protection,” said Patrick Donnelly, Nevada state director at the Center. “We’re doing everything in our power to protect this beautiful Nevada flower from extinction.”

In response to information provided in the Center’s petition, the state will review the status of Tiehm’s buckwheat and the threats it faces to determine if it should be added to Nevada’s list of “fully protected species of native flora.” The review process will include public meetings.

“This is an important first step toward the permanent protection Tiehm’s buckwheat desperately needs,” said Donnelly. “We look forward to working with botanists, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers across the state and the country who care about native plants like Tiehm’s buckwheat.”