NEVADA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Rare Plant Committee Meeting
NEVADA RARE PLANT WORKSHOP
Tuesday, 1 April 2003, Las Vegas

2003 FINAL AGENDA
http://heritage.nv.gov/nrpw/agenda03.htm

The chair reserves the right to prioritize agenda items based on time received and/or conservation status, and to curtail lengthy or marginally relevant items, to ensure that the most critical items are addressed. Comments from members and participants on current agenda items can be found on the Member Comments page.

• Reno on Thursday, 1 April 2004? BLM location still OK?
• Lunch Break?
• Suggested rearrangement of agenda sequence: program updates moved to middle of day and shortened.

• Astragalus lentiginosus var. stramineus (Straw milkvetch) - recommended for NNPS Watch List by 2002 Workshop, left open for Threatened list 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. Any new information? Add to NNPS Threatened List?
• Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus - Recommended for the first time by the 2002 Workshop to be removed from the Nevada list of fully protected species, with the caveat that it be moved to BLM's sensitive species list for Nevada. Recent surveys had greatly expanded the known range, now in 3 counties with at least 30 occurrences separated by 1 km or more, all on federal lands. Any new information? Do we concur for the second and final time that it should be removed from the Nevada list of fully protected species?
• Astragalus preussii var. laxiflorus (Lancaster milkvetch) - Left open by the 2002 Workshop pending studies by Jason Alexander. Fewer than 20 known occurrences in Nevada and possibly globally (T2T3), perhaps fewer than 6 in Nevada (S1S2). Locally plentiful over a restricted range in the lower Muddy River and Virgin River valleys of Mohave Co., Arizona, and adjacent Clark Co., Nevada, with a small disjunct location near Lancaster, California. Welsh et al. (1993) report it to be common along the road south of Overton toward Lake Mead. Seven Nevada occurrences documented by specimens at UNLV. On CNPS List 1B, R-E-D- 3-3-2. Any new information? Add to NNPS Watch List?
• Atriplex longitrichoma - Pahrump silverscale. Left open by the 2001-2002 Workshops, pending field searches. 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. Restricted to Pahrump and Stewart valleys, most abundant in abandoned disturbances. Recently combined as Atriplex argentea var. longitrichoma by Welsh (Rhodora 102: 421, 2000). Based on specimens cited in the original publication, it is known from one occurrence each in Nevada and California. Heritage ranks currently T1T2, S1. Any new information? Is the taxonomy reasonable? Threatened by habitat conversion in Pahrump Valley? Add to Watch or Threatened List?
• Botrychium lineare (slender moonwort) - left open by the 2002 Workshop, recommended for NNPS Watch List and Forest Service sensitive status pending confirmation of its presence in the Spring Mountains. As of January 2003, Dr. Donald Farrar's enzyme electrophoresis results indicate that plants of B. lineare in the Spring Mountains, if present at all, are atypical, different from other known populations of the species, probably tetraploid, and possibly F1 hybrids involving B. crenulatum. (Botrychium ascendens has also been confirmed in the Spring Mountains, as has an undescribed species - see New Business below). Botrychium lineare was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act, found warranted for Threatened listing but precluded by higher priorities. Any further information? Is it yet appropriate to give B. lineare status or recommendations in Nevada?
• Draba incrassata - Left open by 2000-2002 Workshops until Steve Rae's report of its presence on the Nevada side of the Sweetwater Mountains can be verified. Jim Shevock was planning to look for it in 2002. Any new information?
• Eriogonum corymbosum var. glutinosum - recommended for the second time for addition to the Nevada list of fully protected flora at the 2002 Workshop, contingent on finding the Las Vegas Valley populations distinct and on a confirming email poll of the 2002 participants. Reveal's (2002) field study concluded that the southern Nevada populations are a morphologically distinctive entity (also found on the Paria River floodplain, Kane Co., UT, and possibly in NW Arizona), and molecular studies are underway at Utah State University to determine their genetic significance. Is there any further new information? Have the contingencies for the State listing recommendation been met?
• Lathyrus grimesii and Trifolium leibergii - any new information on status of population(s) infested by leafy spurge or other noxious weeds? See comments by Steve Anderson from 2001.
• Mimulus ovatus - Steamboat monkeyflower. Considered by past Workshops for State listing recommendation pending better definition of the taxonomy and range. Is an NNPS Threatened species. Have field and/or herbarium surveys shed any new light on the taxonomic status and possible hybrid origin of this taxon, or it's possible geographic range beyond the Steamboat Springs area? See 2002 comments from Noel Holmgren. Is a State listing recommendation yet appropriate?
• Perityle congesta (Grand Canyon rockdaisy) - left open by the 2002 Workshop 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?
• Petalonyx thurberi ssp. gilmanii - Death Valley sandpaper plant. Left open at the 2001-2002 Workshops, pending verification of a Nevada report from southern Nye County, Nevada. Any new information? Add to NNPS watch list?
• Phacelia geraniifolia (Jaeger phacelia, =P. perityloides var. jaegeri) - left open by the 2002 Workshop 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?
• Phacelia laxiflora (nodding scorpionflower, =P. perityloides var. laxiflora) - left open by the 2002 Workshop 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?
• Pinus washoensis - David Charlet (2000, 2001) is planning to further investigate the relationship of the Nevada populations to the northern race of Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa. He still believes they may be distinct at some level and worthy of continued conservation status (see the 2001 comments by David Charlet). A recent DNA study (Patten and Brunsfeld. Madroño 49: 189-192. 2002) confirms a close and perhaps reticulate relationship between the two taxa, but the cones of P. washoensis still seem to be distinct, at least in the Mt. Rose area. Any status changes or recommendations?
• Senecio pattersonensis - 2000 Workshop recommended adding to NNPS Watch list pending verification of a specimen from Nevada. At the 2001 Workshop, Frank Smith reported that he and Jan Nachlinger searched for and didn't find the Wassuk Range population, and will be trying to check the specimen. Jerry Tiehm 2002 tracked down a voucher specimen at Washington State University and confirmed the identity, but a return visit to the locality on the specimen label by him and Jan Nachlinger in 2002 still did not relocate the plant (see comments). Add to NNPS Watch List at this point?
• Sisyrinchium funereum (Death Valley blue-eyed grass) - Left open by the 2002 Workshop pending verification of Nevada locations and assessment of taxonomic validity. Restricted to 4 map quadrangles in the Death Valley area, and reported from adjacent Clark and Nye cos., Nevada. 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. (They also recognize another rare species from southern Nevada, S. radicatum, see New Business below.) See comments from Anita Cholewa. Habitat vulnerable. Current Heritage ranks G2G3, S1S2. On CNPS List 1B, R-E-D 3-1-2. Add to NNPS Watch List?

• Jim Morefield, Nevada Natural Heritage Program: program updates.
• Other Agencies?
• Questions and Answers

• Botrychium sp. (Spring Mountains moonwort) - As of January 2003, Dr. Donald Farrar is confident in reporting an undescribed species of moonwort based on his enzyme electrophoresis results. It is related to B. crenulatum (also confirmed present in the Spring Mountains) and so far is known only from the Spring Mountains. Any further information? Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommend addition to USFS sensitive species list?
• Eriogonum diatomaceum (Churchill Narrows buckwheat) - after previous mining exploration for cat litter, the habitat is once again being proposed for mining exploration and possible development.  Heritage rank G1, habitat extremely limited, could be almost entirely destroyed if mining proceeds. USFWS is considering moving to Candidate status. Recommend emergency listing as fully protected plant by Nevada Division of Forestry? Recommend emergency addition to BLM sensitive species list?
• Galium hilendiae ssp. carneum (Panamint Mountains bedstraw) - known from three quadrangles in the Panamint Mountains of Inyo Co., CA, and reported by Kartesz (1987) from "Phinney Canyon and near the Strozzi Ranch, Grapevine Mts., Nye Co.", Nevada, within Death Valley National Park. Current Heritage ranks T2, S1. It is on CNPS List 1B, R-E-D 2-1-3. Add to NNPS Watch List?
• Horkelia hispidula (White Mountains horkelia) - one collection reported from Nevada by Dean Taylor (Taylor 15283, 20 July 1995) in the White Mountains, ridge 1 mile NE of Trail Canyon Saddle north of Boundary Peak, 11,000 ft. Otherwise endemic to the White Mountains in California. On CNPS List 1B, R-E-D 3-1-3. Heritage ranks G2, S1. On Inyo National Forest Sensitive Species List. See comments from Kathleen Nelson. Add to NNPS Watch List?
• Mentzelia argillicola (Pioche blazingstar) - described as a new species by the Holmgrens (Systematic Botany 27: 747-762. 2002), restricted to barren clay knolls and slopes between Panaca and the Patterson Wash area of southern Lake Valley, Lincoln County, Nevada. The numerous cited collections resolved to 5 separate occurrences. Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommend for BLM sensitive species status?
• Mentzelia packardiae (Packard stickleaf) - Noel Holmgren (see comments) has determined that the one reported Nevada location for this species is based on specimens of Mentzelia dispersa, a common and widespread species, instead. Recommend removing from the BLM Sensitive Species List? Recommend moving to the NNPS "A" list (absent currently and historically in Nevada).
• Mentzelia tiehmii (Tiehm blazingstar) - described as a new species by the Holmgrens (Systematic Botany 27: 747-762. 2002), restricted to the White River Valley of Lincoln and Nye counties, Nevada, mostly in the Sunnyside area. The numerous cited collections resolved to 7 separate occurrences. About as rare, in the same habitat, and subject to the same threats, as Frasera gypsicola. Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommend for addition to the Nevada list of fully protected species? Recommend for BLM sensitive species status?
• Orthotrichium shevockii (Scodie Mountains moss) - found at one location in Nevada by Jim Shevock in 2002 about one mile up Voltaire Canyon in Carson City. Another Nevada location is reported in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Otherwise known from three map quadrangles in the southern Sierra Nevada of Kern and Tulare counties, California. Ranked G1, and on CNPS list 1B, R-E-D 3-1-3. Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommend for Humboldt-Toiyabe sensitive species list? (see comments from Jim Shevock).
• Phacelia petrosa (talus phacelia) - added to NNPS Watch list and recommended for BLM sensitive status by the 1998 Workshop when still undescribed, now formally published with full range map and specimen citations. The full range extends from southern Nevada through the Grand Canyon area and up the middle Colorado River basin into the San Juan and Virgin river valleys, and its habitat of carbonate or volcanic talus slopes, rocky washes, and canyon bottoms between 2500 and 5800 feet is common throughout this range. The species has not been systematically surveyed. Currently on the Natural Heritage Program watch list, ranked G3G4 S2. Move to NNPS Marginal List or Dropped List? Reconsider recommendation for BLM sensitive status?
• Sisyrinchium radicatum (Las Vegas blue-eyed grass) - Cholewa and Henderson (Flora of North America vol. 26, p. 362) recognize this species as distinct based on predominantly branched white-margined stems, hyaline margins of inner spathe broad, apically rounded or truncate, and flower parts narrow, dark blue to purple pale blue, and report it as endemic to the region from Las Vegas to St. George in moist, sometimes alkaline meadows, stream banks, and borders of springs. See comments from Anita Cholewa. Heritage Ranks G2?, S2?. Habitat highly vulnerable. Add to NNPS Watch or Threatened List?
• Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. williamsiae (Railroad Valley globemallow) - recently published by Noel Holmgren (Intermountain Flora project) as the name for the Railroad Valley populations previously reported as Sphaeralcea caespitosa. Currently on the BLM and USFS sensitive species lists and the NNPS Watch List (as S. caespitosa). Heritage ranks still G2T2 S2. Any changes needed?

• 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 (as var. suksdorfii). New Heritage ranks: T2?, S1. Any changes needed? 
• 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; the current draft FNA treatment does not recognize it. Heritage ranks T2?Q, S1?. Add to NNPS Watch List?
• Hackelia brevicula (Poison Canyon stickseed) - one collection reported from Nevada by Dean Taylor (Taylor 15236, 18 July 1995) in the White Mountains, Queen Canyon near Albert Mine, 8200 ft. Otherwise endemic to the White Mountains in California. Identity may be questionable, as this species is difficult to distinguish from H. floribunda, also reported from the same general vicinity. On CNPS List 3 (needing more information), R-E-D ?-1-3. Heritage ranks G2Q, S1. On Inyo National Forest Watch List. See comments from Kathleen Nelson. Any need to add to NNPS Watch List yet?
• Taxa recommended for addition to the NNPS "M" list (Marginal and/or disjunct occurrence in Nevada, more widespread elsewhere).

• Asplenium resiliens - found in south fork of Pine Creek, Red Rock Canyon NCA, otherwise common in southeast U.S.
• Astragalus lentiginosus var. borreganus - confirmed in Nevada in 1998 by Niles et al., known from 2 areas in Nevada, on CNPS list 4, R-E-D 1-1-1 (lowest concern).
• Astragalus panamintensis - discovered in Nevada in 1998 by Niles et al., known from 3 collections in Nevada, considered but rejected for tracking in California because too common.
• Calandrinia ambigua - collected in Lake Mead NRA near Callville Bay (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).
• Cladium californicum - noted from Ash Meadows, Newberry Mountains, and Rogers Spring only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).
• Draba ventosa - reported by Kartesz from the Ruby Mountains, of conservation concern in some Rocky Mountain states. Recognized only from Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado by Rollins (1993), but considered to occur additionally in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Canada. Confirm presence in Nevada first?
• Menodora scoparia - known from only 2 areas in Nevada, Gold Butte and the southern McCullough Mountains, more common to the south (Niles et al. 1997).
• Fouquieria splendens - a few plants reported from the Newberry Mountains area of Nevada. Also reported from Gold Butte (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).
• Panicum urvilleanum - re-confirmed in Nevada in 1998 by Niles et al. from its single known occurrence on a sand dune in Hidden Valley.
• Phacelia lutea var. calva - known in Nevada only from a single site on the Sheldon Antelope Range, northwest Humboldt Co., more common in Oregon and Idaho.
• Psorothamnus spinosus - one stand of about 145 trees covering an area of about 10 acres in Nevada Telephone Cove in Lake Mead NRA (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).
• Quercus chrysolepis - a few trees on Spirit Mountain in Lake Mead NRA. Also noted from Washoe County by Kartesz 1988, A Flora of Nevada (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).
• Sphaeralcea leptophylla (scaly globemallow) - Recently found at Hot Springs Hill in Eureka County by Duane Atwood and by Jerry Tiehm, who "located a few plants on the travertine hill adjacent to the hot springs" (see comments by Noel Holmgren). This is the only known location in Nevada. Otherwise the species is common and widespread in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and north-central Mexico. From Arnold Tiehm (pers. comm., 17 March 2003): "Jan and I did not refind this at Hot Springs Hill. I was back again later last summer and again could not find the plant. Would suggest it be confirmed from there as it is a very large range extension".
• Stenotus (Haplopappus) lanuginosus var. andersonii - common in Idaho and Montana, known in Nevada from "west of Diamond Ranch, Elko Co." (Kartesz 1987) and from "Washoe Co., Mosquito Mountains, 1.0 road miles S of Crooks Lake road on road to Mud Lake, T44N, R19E, S19. 6200 ft. Tiehm & Schoolcraft 13614" (Tiehm, pers. comm, 17 March 2003).
• Stipa shoshoneana - discussed at a previous workshop and rejected for Watch status, single known Nevada occurrence from the Belted Range of Nye Co., otherwise restricted to central Idaho.
• Trixis californica - only one plant found to date at Three Sisters Cove, Nevada, Lake Mead NRA (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002).

• Kochia californica - known from playa vegetation in Stewart Valley and Ash Meadows of Nye County (Niles et al. 1998).

• Bowlesia incana - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Camissonia californica - known from Newberry Mountains area only?
• Hesperocallis undulata - known from Newberry Mountains and south to Calif. only?
• Hibiscus denudatus - known from Newberry Mountains area only?
• Hyptis emoryi - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Juniperus californica - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Keckiella antirrhinoides - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Lycium parishii - known from Newberry Mountains area only?
• Marah fabaceus - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Mentzelia jonesii - Newberry Mountains only?
• Nolina bigelovii - known from Newberry Mountains area only?
• Perityle congesta - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Rhamnus ilicifolia - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Stillingia linearifolia - known from Newberry Mountains only?
• Tetracoccus hallii - known from Newberry Mountains only?

(last updated 28 March 2003) 

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