NEVADA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Rare Plant Committee Meeting
2005 MEETING NOTES
http://heritage.nv.gov/notes05.htm
The following notes were compiled by Jim Holland, Margie Klein, and Jim Morefield during the 2005 Nevada Rare Plant Workshop, and edited by Jim Morefield. Please notify the editor (775/684-2902, jdmore [at] heritage [dot] nv [dot] gov, 901 S Stewart Street, suite 5002, Carson City, NV 89701-5245) of any needed additions or corrections. Except for the proposed M-List additions near the end, each taxon entry begins by repeating the item from the Workshop agenda, followed by notes on the discussion that followed, and then any consensus that was reached on that taxon. Any changes to the original version are in the same color as this sentence.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The 2005 Nevada Rare Plant Workshop convened in Las Vegas on Tuesday, 5 April 2005, at 9:08 am, in the Auditorium of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History on the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus. The meeting was co-sponsored by the Nevada Native Plant Society (NNPS) and the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP), and was chaired by the NNPS Rare Plant Chair, Jim Morefield. After self-introductions around the room, Jim thanked all for their attendance, Wes Niles and Kathryn Birgy of the UNLV Herbarium for arranging the facilities, refreshments, and transportation, Jim Holland and Margie Klein for volunteering to keep meeting notes, and Libby Powell, Diane Bangle, and Rebecca Shanahan for helping organize tomorrow's field trip.
In attendance during all or part of the day were 45 participants: Kelly Amsberry (Oregon Department of Agriculture); Dave Anderson (Bechtel Nevada); Jim Andre (Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center); Joanne Baggs, Elizabeth Bergstrom, Jody Fraser, Bruce Lund, and Teresa Prendusi (U.S. Forest Service); Dianne Bangle, Jim Holland, and Libby Powell (National Park Service); Joseph Betzler (Knight and Leavitt, Associates); Kathryn Birgy, John Brinda, Wes Niles, Lloyd Stark, and Lael Vetter (University of Nevada, Las Vegas); Steve Caicco (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); Glenn Clifton (Kingman, AZ); Tara Forbis (The Nature Conservancy); Russ Harrison and Von Winkel (The Springs Preserve); Rich Harvey, John Jones, Margie Klein, and Lisa Ortega (Nevada Division of Forestry); Hermi Hiatt (Las Vegas); Cindy Hopkins and Dave Silverman (Xeric Specialties Consulting); Stephen Ingram (Bishop, CA); Sonja Kokos (Nevada Native Plant Society); Pat Leary (Community College of Southern Nevada); Christina Lund and Dean Tonenna (Bureau of Land Management); Robert Meinke (Oregon State University, Corvallis); JoAnne Michael (Resource Concepts Inc.); Jim Morefield (NNPS and NNHP); Kent Ostler (Bechtel Nevada); Nick Otting (Duckfoot Survey Co., Eugene, OR); Ann Pinzl (Natural History Collections Services, Carson City); Rebecca Shanahan and Seth Shanahan (Southern Nevada Water Authority); Jim Shevock (University of California, Berkeley); Alison Stanton (BMP Ecosciences); Misa Ward (California Native Plant Society).
Next year's workshop was confirmed for Thursday, April 6th, 2006 in Reno. Handouts for tomorrow's field trip options were passed out for feedback and final decisions later in the day, with organizing to occur during lunch break. Jim Morefield then provided an overview of the day's agenda and the handouts in the folders.
Old business: open items from previous workshops (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Report on pending Nevada State listing recommendations from previous Workshops. Public workshops were held by the Nevada Division of Forestry in Elko, Las Vegas, and Carson City on 25 January 2005 to solicit public comment on proposals to add Eriogonum diatomaceum (Churchill Narrows buckwheat) and Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas buckwheat) to, and to remove Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus (halfring milkvetch) from, the Nevada State list of fully protected plant species ("Critically Endangered" list). Any further updates? As part of previous Workshops' recommendations to de-list Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus, it was recommended that BLM retain the variety on their Nevada Sensitive Species List, and that a "letter of intent" to do so be solicited from BLM. Any progress on this? Is such a letter still thought to be desirable / useful / feasible? Discussion: deferred to NDF program updates later. Consensus: none needed.
Astragalus anserinus (Goose Creek milkvetch) - recently petitioned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for emergency listing under the Endangered Species Act, apparently based on increased impacts and threats to the Idaho (and Utah?) populations. In Nevada, we have 4 small patches in the Goose Creek area of extreme northeastern Elko County. The recent disjunct collection reported from about 200 km to the west in the Owyhee Desert of northwestern Elko County is no longer thought to represent this species, and is apparently A. purshii instead. The Nevada populations were last surveyed in 1992. Surveys in 2004 showed populations continued to be relatively large and healthy (though more invaded by cheatgrass), with larger areas and numbers possibly an artifact of more intensive survey efforts. Any need to recommend status changes at this time? Discussion: population boundaries better defined. BLM, FS, USFWS agreed to set up conservation strategies. Listing on hold. Regional offices of USFWS say when to move forward on petition. Proactive conservation by BLM and USFS anticipated. Threats were water developments (livestock), OHV, fire, invasive weeds. Consensus: no changes needed, no need to consider further.
Astragalus lentiginosus var. stramineus (Straw milkvetch) - recommended for NNPS Watch List by 2002 Workshop, left open for Threatened list by the 2002-2004 Workshops pending surveys in the Mesquite area, where it may be impacted by development. Locally plentiful over a very restricted range in the lower Virgin River valley of Mohave Co., Arizona, and adjacent Clark Co., Nevada. Heritage ranks T2T3, S1S2, three Nevada occurrences documented by collections at UNLV. Jason Alexander (see his comments) considers the Nevada populations intermediate with the common var. fremontii, but still serving as an important conduit and component of the genetic diversity in var. stramineus. Any new information? Add to NNPS Threatened List? Recommend for BLM Sensitive list? Is Nevada State listing yet appropriate? Discussion: BLM has not seen it this year. Jason Alexander continuing taxonomic work – no new comments. Not enough information on how threatened it is to include on threatened list or state list of fully protected species. Looking for more survey information, and how solid the taxonomy is. There is some discomfort with this taxonomically, “Feel like what we are seeing is var. fremontii.” Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Atriplex argentea var. longitrichoma (Pahrump silverscale) - recently described annual, segregated from Atriplex argentea complex based on presence of long deciduous hairs and different fruit characters, closest to Atriplex argentea var. hillmanii as recognized in Flora of North America, vol. 4, distinguished mainly by the abundant deciduous hairs and subtle differences in leaf shape. Restricted to Pahrump and Stewart valleys, most abundant in abandoned disturbances. Based on specimens cited in the original publication, it is known from one occurrence each in Nevada and California. Threatened by habitat conversion in Pahrump Valley. Heritage ranks currently T1T2, S1, added to the NNPS Watch List by the 2003 Workshop. Any new information? Late spring surveys possible this year? Recommend for BLM sensitive list? NNPS Threatened status more appropriate? Discussion: - Frank Smith has been looking for it, not seeing the variety. Need volunteers to look for it this year. Species is quite variable, even from site to site. Time to look is May. It may occur in Mohave County, Arizona. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Botrychium (moonwort) taxa in Spring Mountains - update of ongoing research; see comments from Dr. Donald Farrar. Discussion: - Don Farrar is not sure if we have B. lineare and possibly a new variety. Looked for B. lineare on Railroad Ridge in Idaho, some plant materials were collected. Not clearly B. lineare in Spring Mts. Working on a report for the Forest Service that will be presented this week in Jacksonville. Spring Mts. collections were sent to Don. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Eriogonum mensicola (Pinyon Mesa buckwheat) - Left open by the 2004 Workshop pending verification of its rarity in Nevada (and elsewhere) with UNLV botanists and collections. This distinctive taxon has until recently been synonymized with, or treated as a variety of, Eriogonum panamintense. On the basis of this synonymy, CNPS considered it too common to warrant conservation concern. As a distinct species, it is known only from infrequent encounters in the Panamint, Inyo, and Coso ranges of California, and disjunctly from about 3 occurrences in the Sheep Range of Clark County, Nevada. How rare or common is this species in California? Add to the NNPS Watch or Marginal List? Discussion: More common on the California side of Death Valley. May intergrade with E. panamintense along an elevation gradient at the north end of the Coso Range in California. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Lathyrus grimesii and Trifolium leibergii - any new information on status or monitoring of population(s) infested by leafy spurge or other noxious weeds? Information or discussion of increasing mineral exploration activity in North Fork area of the Independence Range? Discussion: Monitoring efforts are ongoing. May have been some new landslide damage to Lathyrus grimesii population(s). Can be restrictions on roads to protect habitat. Mineral exploration is increasing again in Independence Range where spp. concentrated. Leafy spurge being treated, is still separate from rare spp. Gold exploration is a threat, but no impact to these spp. at this time. Not known if mineral resource will be developed or not, that could be a much larger threat. Consensus: status quo, no changes recommended.
Mimulus ovatus - Steamboat monkeyflower. Considered by past Workshops for State listing recommendation, and left open pending better definition of the taxonomy and range. Is an NNPS Threatened species. The population at Steamboat Springs, known to mass-flower in some years, has not been seen for the past three years. Incidental surveys in 2001 and 2003 have documented the continued presence of a very small population just north of Carson Hot Springs in Carson City, but another larger population south of there has been extirpated by residential and freeway construction. A few 2004 surveys found it present in small numbers in altered andesite habitats in the Geiger Grade area. Specimens annotated by Noel Holmgren in the RENO herbarium range from northern Douglas County to the Red Rock area of Washoe County. Any further information on the taxonomic status and possible hybrid origin of this taxon, or it's geographic range beyond the Steamboat Springs area? Any need for status change(s) at this point? Discussion: - Not sure how widespread its distribution is. New shopping center is going in at Mt. Rose Highway Intersection, already graded, but not in habitat. Occurs in area of geothermal development. Jim Morefield will monitor this year and if it looks favorable he will get permission to conduct survey; Ann Pinzl and Joanne Michael volunteered to assist. Altered andesite habitat will be investigated also. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Opuntia whipplei var. multigeniculata (Blue Diamond cholla) - reported from several large new populations in the La Madre Mountains and elsewhere outside the Blue Diamond Hills by Marc Baker and others. Previously known only from the Blue Diamond Hills. Current Heritage ranks T1 S1, on the State of Nevada list of fully protected species, on the BLM Special Status Species list, and on the NNPS Threatened list. Has the taxonomic identity of these new populations been further studied or confirmed? Volume 4 of Flora of North America treats it as the nothotaxon Cylindropuntia x multigeniculata, putatively a hybrid between C. whipplei and C. echinocarpa. Are any changes in status yet (or likely to be) warranted? Discussion: - To be recognized as Cylindropuntia multigeniculata. Two drafts of status report so far, recommend we hold for final report. Mark Baker first proposed two varieties based on fruit spines, but now is recommending no varieties. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Perityle congesta (Grand Canyon rockdaisy) - left open by the 2002-2004 Workshops pending verification of a Nevada specimen. Reported from one Nevada site east of Spirit Mountain in the Newberry Mountains, Clark Co. Any new information? Add to NNPS Watch List? Discussion: did not see last year. Will survey the Newberry Mts. this year. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Petalonyx thurberi ssp. gilmanii - Death Valley sandpaper plant. Left open at the 2001-2004 Workshops, pending verification of a Nevada report from southern Nye County, Nevada. The basis now appears to be two Beatley specimens from Big Dune and Ash Meadows at UNLV, both annotated as ssp. gilmanii. Preliminary examination suggests these specimens may actually be ssp. thurberi. See comments from Brian Knaus, Wes Niles, Dave Anderson, and Dana York. Any additional information? Should ssp. gilmanii still be considered a valid taxon? If so, are there any valid Nevada occurrences? Discussion: Nevada reports are based on subspecies thurberi. Specimens in UNLV herbarium are all thurberi, Dr. Niles welcomes others to examine specimens. Test Site has thurberi in its herbarium. Beatley’s collection is var. thurberi. Consensus: no valid Nevada occurrences known, no changes needed, no need to consider further.
Phacelia geraniifolia (Jaeger phacelia, =P. perityloides var. jaegeri) - left open by the 2002-2004 Workshops pending further information on its range in Nevada. Known only from a few locations in the Sheep Range of Clark County, Nevada, and from Clark Mountain (one quadrangle), San Bernardino Co., California, generally in sheltered carbonate rock crevices. Reported to be fairly common in Red Rock Canyon NCA, where Pat Leary (see his comments) knows it from less than a dozen populations from Potosi Mountain to at least La Madre Mountain. Ranked G2, S2 in Nevada. On CNPS List 1B, R-E-D 3-1-2. Any further information? Add to NNPS Watch List? Discussion: Few populations, not known to be common in the Spring Mts. Surveys in progress this year, will get GPS data. We do not have many collections, probably uncommon. Primary threat is possibly rock climbing; it is found in premier climbing areas. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Phacelia laxiflora (nodding scorpionflower, =P. perityloides var. laxiflora) - left open by the 2002-2004 Workshops pending further information on its Nevada range. Known only from sheltered, sometimes moist carbonate rock crevices in the Virgin River gorge, Washington Co., Utah, Emory Falls in the Grand Canyon, Mohave Co., Arizona, and the Virgin Mountains, Clark Co., Nevada. Ranked G2G3, S1? in Nevada. Any new information? Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal List? Discussion: Do not know source of report from the Virgin Mts. James Armstrong survey in the late 1960s. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Sisyrinchium funereum (Death Valley blue-eyed grass) - add to the NNPS Threatened List by the 2003 Workshop, and recommended for the first time for addition to the Nevada state list of fully protected species. Cholewa and Henderson (Flora of North America vol. 26, p. 362) recognize the species as distinct based on predominantly branched stems, hyaline margins of inner spathe broad, long, apically rounded or truncate, and flowers pale blue, and report it as endemic to the Death Valley and Ash Meadows area, in moist grassy areas along streams and springs where the soil is strongly alkaline. See comments from Anita Cholewa. Heritage ranks G2G3, S1S2. On CNPS List 1B, R-E-D 3-1-2. USFWS Surveys in the Ash Meadows area in 2003 found many of the plants there to fit the description of, and to not be reliably distinct from, Sisyrinchium radicatum (Las Vegas blue-eyed grass, added to the NNPS Watch List in 2003), and specimens from these surveys were sent to Dr. Cholewa in August 2003. See comments from Dana York. Wetland habitat of both species highly vulnerable. Has there yet been any response from Dr. Cholewa, or any other new information about the problem? Does Sisyrinchium funereum yet merit a second recommendation for addition to the Nevada state list of fully protected species? Should either or both be recommended for the BLM sensitive list? Discussion: - Report back from Dr. Cholewa confirmed 16 of 18 collections are S. funereum and the other two are atypical but probably S. radicatum (Jackrabbit Spring collections). Confirmed S. funereum does occur in Ash Meadows. How rare is S. funereum is Nevada? Jody does not believe it is very threatened at Ash Meadows. There is a push to implement an integrated pest management program there, which will help protect it from weed invasions. What are the threats for those areas that are not protected on the refuge? Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
PROGRAM UPDATES
(To be added to on-line version soon.)
New business: review and status of high-priority taxa (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Cirsium arizonicum var. tenuisectum (Keystone Canyon thistle) - described as new to science by David Keil in Sida 21(1): 207-219. 2004. Known only from middle elevations of the New York Mountains of San Bernardino County, California, and from lower and middle elevations of the Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, where it has previously been known as Cirsium nidulum. Provisional Heritage ranks G5T2 S1S2. How much more common is this species than Cirsium clokeyi (now known as Cirsium eatonii var. clokeyi) in the Spring Mountains? Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: - Just received annotations from David Keil at UNLV. Some of the specimens were collected by Pat Leary. There may be another variety yet undescribed, var. arizonicum is now two varieties. Bruce Lund has records of where the two different Cirsium occur. Additional collections of the thistles will occur this year. Gina collected some specimens last year. The var. arizonicum is a lower elevation species but still occurs at 9,000 feet in the Spring Mts. What is the occurrence of this variety in the Sheep Range? Probably in the species best interest to be placed somewhere on a list, but resolving the taxonomy is critical. Does it occur on lands administered by BLM? Check with Pat Leary. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List. Recommend for Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Sensitive Species List.
Cirsium eatonii var. viperinum (Snake Range thistle) - described as new to science by David Keil in Sida 21(1): 207-219. 2004. Known only at and above 11,000 feet in the Snake Range (including Mount Moriah) of White Pine County, Nevada. Similar to Cirsium clokeyi (now known as Cirsium eatonii var. clokeyi) of the Spring Mountains, but differing by its shorter stature (2-4 dm vs. 4-15 dm), longer corolla tubes (9-12 mm vs. 3.5-7 mm), and longer pappus bristles (longest 20-25 mm vs. 16-18 mm). Heritage Ranks G1 S1. Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: Does occur below 11,000 feet as it goes down canyons and grows taller that 4dm. Limited in distribution to Great Basin National Park, no formal agency sensitive plant list for NPS lands. Not impacted by hikers as it is well off the trails. There are private lands on Mt. Washington and plants do occur there. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Cryptantha insolita (Las Vegas catseye) - placed on the Nevada list of fully protected plant species in 1979. Known from one extirpated and one historical report in the Las Vegas metro area, in 1905 and 1942. Placed in synonymy under C. virginensis, a common species, by Intermountain Flora (vol. 4, 1984). Said to differ from C. virginensis by its appressed (not spreading) leaf hairs, relatively numerous flowering branches (cymes), crowded flowers, and blunt (not sharp) tubercles on backs of nutlets. Said to differ from C. tumulosa by its biennial or short perennial (not strong perennial) habit, stems 1.5-4 dm (not 1-2.5 dm) high, elongate flowering branches, nutlets strongly carinate on back and with definite (not indistinct) tubercles. Sketchy historical habitat information suggests this could be another gypsum soil endemic in need of better searching and documentation. But with no reports since 1942, should this be considered for removal from the Nevada list of fully protect plant species? Or should more intensive searches be initiated on gypsum soil habitats? Arnold Tiehm (see comments) suggests that it may be a good species and that it should be searched for on the deposits in the vicinity of Las Vegas Springs. Discussion: - Spring deposits around Las Vegas Spring was the habitat. Send Upper Las Vegas Wash collections to Jerry Tiehm. Fremont Street and Main is the site of the old Sal Sagev motel. Big Springs Preserve may be worth searching. Betula uber a tree in Virginia was considered extirpated for years. We should keep Cryptantha insolita on our list. What is condition of the specimens? Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Draba pedicellata var. wheelerensis (Wheeler Peak whitlowcress) - described as new to science by Noel Holmgren in Brittonia 56(2): 107-114, 2004. Known only from the slopes of Wheeler Peak (above 11,000 ft) and Mt. Washington (above 10,000 ft) in the southern Snake Range, Great Basin National Park, White Pine County, Nevada. Heritage ranks G1 S1. Differs from D. pedicellata var. pedicellata (= D. cusickii var. pedicellata) by being only 2.5-4(--6) cm high (vs. 5-20 cm), with a strongly zig-zag flowering stem, the pedicels widely spreading to somewhat reflexed (vs. widely ascending), and with basal leaves obovate (vs. oblong or oblanceolate). Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: - Not very common. Dependent on sufficient snowfall; last year those peak were dry so really did not appear. Same status as Cirsium eatonii var. viperinum. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Erigeron cavernensis - (Cave Mountain fleabane) - Cronquist (Intermountain Flora 5: 337-338. 1994) synonymized this taxon as part of Erigeron uncialis var. uncialis, as which it is currently tracked on the Watch List of the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (ranks G3G4T2? S2?), and is a Forest Service Sensitive Species. Guy Nesom (Sida 21(1): 19-39. 2004) has resurrected Erigeron cavernensis for the Nevada populations, leaving it endemic to the White Pine and Schell Creek ranges of White Pine and northeastern Nye counties, and leaving Erigeron uncialis var. uncialis endemic to California. Erigeron cavernensis is said to differ from both varieties of E. uncialis by having fruits 1-1.2 mm long (vs. 1.3-1.8 mm), stems and leaves glandular, leaves equally hairy on both surfaces (vs. less so underneath), and phyllaries evenly and densely glandular (vs. eglandular or sparsely glandular distally and medianly). Not previously ranked by NNPS (though erroneously shown to be on the NNPS "D" list currently). Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: - Now that it is being segregated again what list should it be on? Grant Range and Cherry Creek Range in White Pine County. What are the threats? Probably no real threats. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Erigeron clokeyi var. clokeyi (Clokey fleabane)- Guy Nesom (Sida 21(1): 19-39. 2004) recently segregated Erigeron clokeyi var. pinzliae as the more widespread form of the species (type from near Mt. Grant, Wassuk Range, Mineral Co.), leaving var. clokeyi narrowly endemic to the Spring Mountains. It is said to differ from var. pinzliae by having consistently having basal leaves with hairs appressed (above the ascending bases, versus hairs stiffly spreading to widely arching from bases), and fruits 2.2-2.5 mm long (vs. 1.8-2 mm). How common is this species in the Spring Mountains? Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: Found in P-J to Bristlecone Pine communities. No Spring Mountain endemics are not on the Spring Mts. sensitive plant list. Is it covered in the conservation agreement? Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Mentzelia inyoensis (Inyo blazingstar) - described as new to science by Thompson and Prigge in Madroño 51(4): 379-383, 2004. Known from about 4 or 5 locations, mainly in the White Mountains of Esmeralda Co., NV, and Mono and Inyo cos., CA, but with one disjunct occurrence in southeastern Churchill Co., NV. Tentative heritage ranks G2 S1. About as rare as M. tiehmii and M. argillicola, previously added to the NNPS Watch List. Said to differ from M. candelariae by its petals 11-18 mm long (vs. 6-10 mm), lower stem leaves more deeply lobed, fruits longer and more narrowly cylindrical on average, and seed coats with 2-6 papillae per cell (vs. 9-15). Said to differ from M. oreophila by the absence of petaloid stamens, fruits 12-16(-25) mm long (vs. 5.5-6.5 mm), and leaves linear-lanceolate and lobed (vs. elliptic to ovate and undulately toothed). Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommendations for other agency status? Discussion: Dave Silverman reports pretty frequent in some areas in limestone, Argus to Coso Mountains in northern Death Valley, Inyo Mts. Never see much of it but you can always find it. Not cited that far south in original publication, may be more widespread than first described. Maybe we should put section Bartonia on the Watch List! May need more information on the distribution of the species before we can take any action. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
New business: review and status of lower-priority AND OTHER taxa (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis (Rams Horn Spring milkvetch) - segregated from var. suksdorfii by Welsh et al. (2002), and now considered endemic to eastern Plumas, Lassen, and Modoc counties, California, and northern Washoe County, Nevada. Already on NNPS Watch List (formerly as var. suksdorfii). New Heritage ranks: T2?, S1. Suggested at the 2003 Workshop for possible transfer to the NNPS M-list. Any further information or recommendations? Discussion: wait for assessment by California Native Plant Society. Consensus: status quo, leave open for future Workshops to consider as better information develops.
Bruchia bolanderi (Bolander candlemoss) - . Discussion: 95% of the world’s population is in California with one population in Nevada and unlikely to find more. In California occurs in stream banks. Also in 2 sites in Oregon and 1 site in Utah. 20 occurrences in California and these are small. Looks like Orange baseball bats on the ground. Only 2 potential sites in Nevada in Tahoe Meadows, area is grazed by livestock. Is watch list or marginal list most appropriate? FS wants a letter from Jim Shevock explaining issues; non-vascular plants have not been included in sensitive plant lists. Is being tracked by FS in California as a sensitive species. Should this species be added to FS Region IV sensitive species list? A letter should be sent from NNPS to FS. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List. Recommend for Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Sensitive Species List.
Echinocereus engelmannii var. armatus (armored hedgehog cactus) - known from 5 sites, two east of Victorville, San Bernardino Co., CA, one in the Argus Range of Inyo County, CA, and two from the Pahute Mesa area on the Nevada Test Site of Nye Co., all in granite boulder areas. Recognized by Benson (1982) but not in Jepson Manual treatments (1993, 2002). Its taxonomy has been questioned because of its spotty distribution amidst other variants of Echinocereus engelmannii, and it is not recognized in Volume 4 of Flora of North America. Heritage ranks T2?Q, S1?. Add to NNPS Watch List? Drop from consideration due to synonymy? Discussion: Not a valid taxon. Consensus: status quo, no change, do not consider further for any conservation status.
Entosthodon planoconvexus (planoconvex cordmoss) - . Discussion: on Nevada Test Site, 3 localities in the world. Definitely threatened; it is an ephemeral moss. Have not found the Test Site location since 1994. Do we want to list as threatened? Do we want to propose this as the first moss to be proposed for full protection in the State of Nevada? Cactus Spring area impacted by wildlife. Other 2 populations are in Washington County, Utah, and Pima County, Arizona. Kent Ostler can assist getting Lloyd Stark to the collection site. Assuming it is still there, are we comfortable recommending threatened status? Should we petition for federal listing (candidate status)? Threats need to identified. Consensus: move to NNPS Threatened List. Recommend petition for immediate status review by USFWS.
Grimmia americana (American grimmia) - . Discussion: Known from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Newberry Mts.on vertical walls. Threat is primarily that it is so rare. Vandalism in Grapevine Canyon and general use is a factor. Other populations in Arizona and West Texas. Copy of Jim Shevock’s powerpoint presentation provided to Jim Morefield. General group suggested a workshop on bryophytes hosted by Lloyd and Jim. Consensus: move to NNPS Threatened List. Recommend petition for immediate status review by USFWS.
Muilla coronata (pygmy muilla, crowned muilla) - apparently known from just two collections in southwestern Nevada. Otherwise known only from the Mojave Desert of California, where somewhat more common, but still on CNPS List 4, R-E-D code 1-2-2. Heritage ranks G3 S1 (S3.2? in CA). Add to NNPS Marginal or Watch List? Discussion: Goes up to the Pinyon woodland at 8000 ft in California. One collection was cited from Red Rock Canyon. Four collections from southern Spring Mts. Quite rare in Nevada. Consensus: add to NNPS Marginal List.
Pseudocrossidium crinitum - a moss known from one or two occurrences in Nevada in Clark Co. Otherwise known mainly from southern Utah, Arizona, and northern Mexico (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002). Discussion: Known from 3 populations in Clark Co., 1 from Utah and 1 in AZ, several in Mexico, also known from 1-2 in South America. Globally rare. Threats: 2-3 populations on NPS boundary maybe on BLM lands. Best population is in Valley of Fire State Park near the road. Consensus: add to NNPS Watch List.
Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies'-tresses) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a petition to de-list this threatened species based mainly on the much larger geographic range discovered since it was listed in 1992. On 4 November 2004, USFWS found that the petition provided "substantial biological information to indicate that removal may be warranted," and initiated a formal status review. The species is now known from small populations in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. In Nevada it is known only from a single historic population in the outflow of Panaca Spring in Lincoln County, where the habitat may still persist but is inaccessible for surveys due to landowner restrictions. The species is on the State of Nevada's list of fully protected species, and is on the NNPS Threatened list. Any recommendations for status change at this time? Consider for removal from Nevada list of fully protected plant species? Discussion: skipped. Consensus: no time, to be addressed later.
Taxa recommended for addition or transfer to the NNPS "M" List (Marginal and/or disjunct occurrence in Nevada, more widespread elsewhere):
ADJOURNED AT 4:58 PM
(last updated 5 April 2006)