NEVADA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Rare Plant Committee Meeting
NEVADA RARE PLANT WORKSHOP
Tuesday, 5 April 2005, Las Vegas

2005 FINAL AGENDA
http://heritage.nv.gov/nrpw/agenda05.htm

The chair reserves the right to prioritize agenda items based on time received, conservation priority, presence of participants with expert knowledge, and/or relevance to other items being discussed, 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, 6 April 2006? BLM Conference Room still available?
• Lunch Break time and options.
• Overview of the Agenda, consensus process, etc.
• Out-of-order items (to accommodate schedules):
  • Lloyd Stark, University of Nevada, Las Vegas: update on rare bryophytes of southern Nevada (morning).
  • Jim Shevock, University of California, Berkeley: update on Nevada bryophyte floristics effort, with emphasis on rare and/or at-risk species (morning).
  • Field Trip Organizing Meeting: first 15 minutes of lunch break.
  • Proposed M-List Additions: discuss, modify, and approve slate (after lunch and program updates); review for inappropriate entries beforehand.

• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• Botrychium (moonwort) taxa in Spring Mountains - update of ongoing research; see comments from Dr. Donald Farrar.
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?

• Janet Bair, The Nature Conservancy of Nevada: update on TNC's rare plant work.
• Misa Ward, California Native Plant Society: update on CNPS Rare Plant Program (10 minutes).
• Other Agencies?
• Jim Morefield, Nevada Natural Heritage Program: program updates.
• BRIEF Questions and Answers

• 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?
• 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?
• 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.
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?

• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• Taxa recommended for addition or transfer to the NNPS "M" list (Marginal and/or disjunct occurrence in Nevada, more widespread elsewhere).

• Asterella californica - a liverwort known from two occurrences in Nevada in Red Rock Canyon NRA and the Gold Butte area, Clark Co. Known also from northwestern Arizona and southern California (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Barbula convoluta - a moss known from one occurrence in Nevada in the southern Gale Hills, Clark Co. Otherwise known mainly from British Columbia to Baja California, with another disjunct in southern Idaho (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Claopodium whippleanum - a moss known from one occurrence in Nevada in Red Rock Canyon NRA, Clark Co. Otherwise known mainly from British Columbia to northwestern Mexico, and in the Mediterranean region, with another disjunct in northeastern Arizona (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Erigeron eatonii var. eatonii - known from two sites in Nevada, near the summits of the Virgin Mountains and Wilson Creek Range (Mount Wilson), Clark and Lincoln counties (Nesom, Sida 21(1): 473. 2004). Otherwise known from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, southeastern Montana, southeastern Idaho, and northern Arizona. Heritage ranks G5T5 S1.
• Erigeron nanus - known from one occurrence in Nevada on Middle Stack Mountain, Granite Range, northeastern Elko County (Nesom, Sida 21(1): 473. 2004). Otherwise known from southwestern Wyoming, southeastern Idaho, and adjacent northern Utah. Heritage ranks G4 S1.
• Fissidens sublimbatus - a moss known from one occurrence in Nevada in Pipe Spring Canyon, Newberry Mountains, Clark Co. Otherwise known mainly from Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Baja California (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Phacelia neglecta - believed to be limited to 3 or 4 occurrences in extreme southern Clark County (including the Newberry Mountains). Otherwise known from Arizona and eastern California, where it is reported to have "fairly limited" geographic distribution. Current Heritage ranks G5 S1, not tracked on any CNPS list. (offered by Jim Andre, March 2005)
• Physaria newberryi - The New York Botanical Garden on-line specimen catalog lists one 1984 collection from far southeastern Nevada, Kartesz's 1987 Flora of Nevada describes it as "known throughout southern and southeastern Nevada," but Rollins (1993) mentions only New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Arnold Tiehm found only one specimen in the RENO herbarium (from Lincoln County).
• 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).
• Reboulia hemispherica - a liverwort known from one occurrence in Nevada in Red Rock Canyon NRA, Clark Co. Known also from New Mexico, eastern Arizona, and scattered northern California and the Pacific northwest (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Syntrichia bartramii - a moss known from one occurrence in Nevada in Grapevine Canyon, Newberry Mountains, Clark Co. Otherwise known mainly from southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northwestern Mexico (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).
• Weissia condensa - a moss known from one occurrence in Nevada in the River Mountains, Clark Co. Otherwise known from Arizona, southern Utah, Texas, Mexico, South America, Africa, and Europe (Stark et al., Madroño 49(1): 49-53. 2002).

• Limonium californicum (Plumbaginaceae) - the presence of this genus and family in Nevada has been largely overlooked since its first collection here in 1898. Its distribution and collecting history suggests a strong probability that it is indigenous to Nevada. It is otherwise confined to Pacific coastal areas of California, Oregon, and Baja California, except for one Arizona collection in the Salt River drainage.  Known in Nevada from 9 collections between 1898 and 1998, probably representing two continuous populations (perhaps one prior to Lake Mead), one each in the Muddy River and Las Vegas Wash drainages.

• Bowlesia incana - known from Newberry Mountains only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Chorizanthe corrugata - known from about 5 collections in the Lake Mead / Colorado River corridor, otherwise much more common (G5) in CA, AZ, and northwest Mexico. More than 20 occurrences may exist in Nevada (2004 Workshop).
• Eriogonum nudum var. oblongifolium - known from fewer than a dozen collections along the east slope of the Carson Range and on Peavine Mountain in Douglas and Washoe counties and probably in Carson City, otherwise widespread and common (T5) in northern CA and southern OR. More than 20 occurrences may exist in Nevada (2004 Workshop).
• Eriogonum panamintense (excluding E. mensicola) - known from less than 15 collections in western Esmeralda and southwestern Nye counties and in the Spring Mountains of western Clark County, otherwise somewhat more widespread (G3G4) in eastern Inyo and San Bernardino counties, CA, to Mojave County, AZ. More than 20 occurrences may exist in Nevada (2004 Workshop).
• Eriogonum plumatella - known from fewer than 6 collections in Clark County, otherwise widespread though infrequently encountered (G3G4) throughout the Mojave Desert of southeastern CA and western AZ. More than 20 occurrences may exist in Nevada (2004 Workshop).
• Eriogonum salicornioides - reported from a very imprecisely located collection by Percy Train in northern Humboldt County, and has not been relocated there after some effort.
• Hesperocallis undulata - known from Newberry Mountains and south to Calif. only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Keckiella antirrhinoides - known from Newberry Mountains only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Lycium parishii - known from Newberry Mountains area only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Mentzelia jonesii - Newberry Mountains only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Nolina bigelovii - known from Newberry Mountains area only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Stillingia linearifolia - known from Newberry Mountains only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)
• Tetracoccus hallii - known from Newberry Mountains only? (offered by Elizabeth Powell, April 2002)

(last updated 1 April 2005) 

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