NEVADA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Rare Plant Committee Meeting
NEVADA RARE PLANT WORKSHOP
Tuesday, 3 April 2007, Las Vegas

2007 FINAL AGENDA
http://heritage.nv.gov/nrpw/agenda07.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, 3 April 2008? BLM Conference Room still available?
• Suggestion to expand future Workshops to 2 days, with one day of longer presentations?
• Ash Meadows Field Trip planning.
• Overview of the Agenda, consensus process, etc.
• Out-of-order items (to accommodate schedules or otherwise streamline):
  • Some species may be covered during program updates or discussion of other species.
  • Program Updates and Presentations: immediately after lunch break, 5-10 minutes each.
  • Proposed M-List Additions: discuss, modify, and approve slate (after lunch and program updates); review for inappropriate entries beforehand.
  • Stale business list: contributions of any new information or recommendations.

• Astragalus hornii var. hornii (Horn milkvetch) - known in Nevada from a single historic occurrence at "The Willows" on the west side of Pyramid Lake, Washoe County, in 1913. Otherwise known only from the southern San Joaquin Valley and western Mojave Desert of California, where already extirpated from several historic locations, and seriously endangered by habitat alteration and past eradication efforts due to livestock toxicity. Only 5 California locations documented in the last 50 years. Habitat alkaline flats, playa, and lake margins. On CNPS List 1B.1, Heritage ranks G2G3, S2S3 in CA, S1 in NV. Add to NNPS Threatened List or Possibly Extirpated List? Other appropriate status?
• Botrychium tunux (moosewort) - Dr. Donald Farrar's 2006 comments indicated that the unnamed "lunaria"-like moonwort in the Spring Mountains might be B. tunux, which is otherwise known only from the Yakutat region of southeastern Alaska and adjacent Yukon Territory, and from a single disjunct report in Glacier National Park, Montana. Recent reports are suggesting that Dr. Farrar has now confirmed the Spring Mountains plants as B. tunux. Do we know this to be confirmed? Current Heritage ranks are G1, S1 in Alaska, and S1 in Yukon Territory. Ready to add to NNPS Watch List? Other status recommendations?
• Castilleja salsuginosa (Monte Neva paintbrush) - Known from two sites, both in Nevada, one at Monte Neva Hot Springs in Steptoe Valley, north of Ely, White Pine County, the other at Hot Spring Hill, just off Highway 50 in Eureka County. The Hot Spring Hill site recently experienced heavy Mormon Cricket impacts. Discussion of situation and possible recommendations for change in status.
• Cryptantha compacta (mound catseye) - recently discovered in the southeast corner of Elko County by Arnold Tiehm and Jan Nachlinger (in prep.). Otherwise restricted to western Utah, where it is of conservation concern, but with conflicting information on its rarity and range. As of 1996 it was ranked G1 S1 in Utah and said to occur only in southwestern Millard County, but A Utah Flora, 2nd ed. (Welsh et al. 1993) reported it from 6 specimens in Beaver, Millard, and Tooele counties. A 2005 map accompanying a State of Utah report on rare plants (Franklin, 2005) showed occurrences in Millard County only, throughout its western half. The current Digital Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Utah (http://www.nr.usu.edu/Geography-Department/utgeog/utvatlas/ut-vascatlas.html, accessed 9 March 2007) shows at least 15 occurrences in 8 counties across the southwestern quarter of Utah.  Based on the foregoing, appropriate Heritage ranks appear to be G2G3, S2S3 in UT, S1 in NV. Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal List?
• Erigeron uncialis var. uncialis (limestone daisy) - it's back! The Nevada plants formerly assigned to this variety were recently re-segregated as E. cavernensis, which was added back to the NNPS Watch list in 2005. In 2003, however, Dana York observed true limestone daisy just across the CA-NV border in the northern Grapevine Mountains of Esmeralda County, inside Death Valley National Park (DVNP). Otherwise it is known only from about 8 sites in the DVNP area of Inyo and San Bernardino counties, California, where it is somewhat threatened by mining. Currently on CNPS List 1B.2, Heritage ranks G2T2, S2.2 in CA, S1 in NV. Add to NNPS Watch List?
• Mentzelia polita (polished blazingstar) - with the recent description of M. memorabalis Holmgren & Holmgren (Systematic Botany 27: 753. 2002) from the Arizona Strip area, M. polita is now restricted to the margins of the southern Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, and to 2 sites on a single quadrangle in the Clark Mountains of adjacent San Bernardino County, California. On CNPS List 1B.2, Heritage ranks G2, S1.2 in CA, S1S2 in NV. How rare or common is it in the Spring Mountains? Add to NNPS Watch List? Recommend BLM Sensitive?
• Penstemon calcareus Brandegee 1903 (limestone beardtongue) - previously thought to be a California endemic until observed by Dana York in 2003 just across the CA-NV border in the northern Grapevine Mountains of Esmeralda County, inside Death Valley National Park (DVNP). Otherwise it is known only from about 21 sites in the northern DVNP area of Inyo County, and in the Providence Mountains of San Bernardino County, in California, where it is not very endangered. Threats in Nevada also likely minimal. (Note: this is not P. calcareus M.E. Jones 1908, a synonym of P. petiolatus Brandegee 1899.) Currently on CNPS List 1B.3, Heritage ranks G2, S2.3 in CA, S1 in NV. Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal List?
• Penstemon idahoensis (Idaho beardtongue) - first discovered in Nevada in 2006 by Frank Smith and Marilyn Hemker, along Cedar Mountain Draw in the Little Goose Creek drainage of northeastern Elko County. Previously known from adjacent Idaho and Utah, where also of conservation concern. Heritage ranks G2, S2 in ID, S1 in UT, S1 in NV. Occurs on whitish tuffaceous outcrops of the Salt Lake Formation, sometimes in association with Astragalus anserinus (Goose Creek milkvetch). Recommend similar status - NNPS Watch List and BLM Sensitive?
• Sclerocactus pubispinus (Great Basin fishhook cactus) - recent surveys suggest this species, confined to a strip along the central Nevada-Utah border, may be less common than previously believed. Current Heritage ranks are G3G4, S3 in NV, S2S3 in UT.  Ranks of G3, and S2 in NV, may be more appropriate. Worth developing more information? Add to NNPS Watch List?

• Status of pending listing recommendations: Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas Buckwheat).
• Cryptantha insolita (Las Vegas catseye) - Left open by the 2005-2006 workshops pending possible field work and assessment of historical specimens. 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. He also indicated that the existing specimens are good, full collections, and look different from the related species. The historical "Sal Sagev" location is apparently at the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Fremont Street, and is probably completely extirpated. Any new information or recommendations? Going stale?
• Cryptantha mirabunda (wonderful catseye) - Left open by the 2006 workshop pending further investigation. Previously synonymized under Cryptantha utahensis by Intermountain Flora (1984) and Flora of Nevada (1987), but now recognized as distinct, apparently by Kartesz (1994, 1999).  Described from Rhyolite (Nye County), considered endemic to Nevada, but of uncertain distribution and abundance (G1G3). An isotype found in the RENO herbarium does not suggest any significant differences (see comments by Arnold Tiehm). The original diagnosis of the two species has not been assessed. Any further information on the validity and/or occurrences of this taxon?  Any status appropriate at this point?
• Cylindropuntia (Opuntia whipplei var.) multigeniculata (Blue Diamond cholla) - Left open by 2006 Workshop. Marc Baker's final 2005 report confirms several large new populations scattered through Clark County and adjacent Mohave County, Arizona.  There are slight differences in fruit spines between the eastern and western populations, with intermediates in the McCullough Range; no further taxonomic subdivisions are being proposed.  Blue Diamond cholla as a whole is considered a species distinct from Cylindropuntia whipplei. 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. Are either of the two geographic fruit forms (presumably genetic variants) rare enough to warrant continued conservation concern? Does the species still merit full protection by the State of Nevada as a Critically Endangered species?
• Draba asterophora var. asterophora (Tahoe draba).  Left open by 2006 Workshop. Nearly endemic to the Carson Range of Washoe and Douglas cos., Nevada, and adjacent Alpine and Eldorado cos., California, with an outlying population in the Mount Dana area of the central Sierra Nevada, Mono and Tuolumne cos., California.  Heritage ranks G4T2, S1 in Nevada, S1.3 in California, and on CNPS List 1B.3.  Currently a USFS Sensitive Species, and on the NNPS Watch List. The species is again under numerous threats from ski area development and expansion. Any significant genetic findings by Loreen Woolstenhulme and her graduate student? Is the species yet threatened with extinction?  Should its conservation priorities and ranks be elevated?
• Eremogone (Arenaria) congesta var. wheelerensis (Mount Wheeler sandwort) - Left open by the 2006 Workshop for further consideration. Flora of North America vol. 5 (p. 63) considers this to occur in "only a few sites in Elko, Lincoln, and White Pine counties, Nevada," but includes it in synonymy of var. simulans, of which it is considered to be an alpine extreme, and which is somewhat more widespread.  In the Jepson Manual, the same principal author (Ronald L. Hartman) describes var. simulans as "uncommon" on open rocky slopes at 1300-1700 m in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada. The geographic ranges of the two forms appear entirely separate. The var. wheelerensis is currently on the NNPS Watch List and the NNHP at-risk species list, but has no other conservation status. Do we agree with combining these two taxa? What conservation status is most appropriate for the variety(ies) whether combined or separated?
• Erigeron multiceps (Kern River daisy) - reported at the 2005 Workshop to have been found on Bridge Mountain in Red Rock Canyon NCA, and also to be present in Mexico(?). Otherwise known only from 8 map quadrangles on the Kern Plateau in Tulare County, California. Heritage rank G1. Currently on CNPS List 1B.2, rank S1.2, and considered endemic to California. Closely related to the common species Erigeron divergens. Added to the NNPS Watch List by the 2006 Workshop, but left open for further consideration pending information on Mexico occurrence(s). In August 2006 Guy Nesom (FNA Author for Erigeron) indicated to Ann Pinzl that he know of only a single collection from Mexico, in the Sierra San Pedro Martir of Baja California in the 1960s. Any changes or further consideration needed?
• Eriogonum mensicola (Pinyon Mesa buckwheat) - Left open by the 2004-2006 Workshops 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. UNLV has 4 Nevada collections, 3 from the Sheep Range, and 1 from the summit of McCullough Mountain, all at 7000-7700 ft elevation in Clark County. Based on a search of the California Consortium of Herbaria databases, there are about 7 distinct occurrences in the Coso, Cottonwood, Nelson, Inyo, and Panamint ranges of Inyo County, California. Reported to intergrade with Eriogonum panamintense along an elevation gradient in the northern Coso Range. Add to the NNPS Watch or Marginal List?
• Helianthus deserticola (desert sunflower) - Left open by the 2006 Workshop, to consider dropping pending further data.  Lumped under H. anomalus by Cronquist Intermountain Flora, but still considered distinct by current sunflower researchers, and recognized in the Flora of North America treatment (vol. 21, p. 154, 2006). Known from sw Utah, nw Arizona, s Nevada, and disjunct in west-central Nevada (mainly Churchill Co.) where it could be genetically distinct. Recent observations suggest increasing prevalence of invasive species in the northern Nevada populations. Any new information? Any status changes appropriate at this time?
• Mentzelia inyoensis (Inyo blazingstar) - left open by the 2005-2006 workshops because of unverified reports of populations farther south in the Coso and Argus ranges of California. 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 fall (vs. spring) flowering time, 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). Has now been added to CNPS List 1B. Have the Coso and Argus populations been collected and verified yet? Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal List? Recommendations for other agency status?
• Phacelia laxiflora (nodding scorpionflower, =P. perityloides var. laxiflora) - left open by the 2002-2006 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, the Grand Canyon of Mohave and Coconino cos., Arizona, and the Virgin Mountains, Clark Co., Nevada. UNLV has a single collection from 2300 m elevation in the Virgin Mountains. Ranked G2G3, S1 in Nevada. Any new information? Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal List?

• Nevada Division of Forestry: updates on listed species activities.
• Joanne Baggs, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest: rare species in the new Forest Plan.
• Dave Anderson, NSTec/Nevada Test Site: recent rare plant surveys at NTS.
• Jim Morefield, Nevada Natural Heritage Program: program updates. 2006 BMP report on Polyctenium williamsiae recently posted to web site.
• Other updates?
• BRIEF Questions and Answers

• Boechera (Arabis) fernaldiana (Fernald rockcress) - both varieties currently on the Nevada Natural Heritage Program watch list, var. stylosa on Inyo National Forest watch list, neither on any NNPS list.  The varieties were not considered very strong by Rollins in 1993, and were lumped by Intermountain Flora vol. 2B in 2005.  Do we have any reason to disagree with sinking the varieties?  Any need for further conservation concern for the species or its varieties?
• Epilobium nevadense (Nevada willowherb) - appears to remain very rare in the Spring Mountains. Known from 7 occurrences in 3 widely separated mountain ranges of southeastern Nevada (including the Spring Mountains), and from 3 more widely separated occurrences in southwestern Utah. Currently on NNPS Watch List, with Heritage ranks G2, S2 in Nevada, S1 in Utah. Is this species more imperiled than its current status would indicate. Are any status changes warranted?
• Eriogonum crosbyae (Crosby buckwheat) and Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara (grimy ivesia) - Lucile Housley, BLM Botanist in Lakeview, Oregon, reports that monitoring studies conducted by Delbert Wiens and others over the past decade are indicating significant population losses in Oregon. During a recent visit to the I L Ranch population of Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara in Elko county, it appeared to be unchanged from its condition a decade ago. Any knowledge of trends in other Nevada populations of these species? Any need for status changes at this time?
• Lorandersonia (Haplopappus or Hesperodoria) salicina (willow glowweed) - recently discovered in southern Nevada, previously considered endemic to the Grand Canyon area of northern Arizona. Current Heritage ranks G3, S3 in Arizona, S1 in the Navajo Nation, S1 in Nevada.  Tracked by the Arizona Natural Heritage Program, but apparently not of high concern. Add to NNPS Watch or Marginal list?
• Thelypodium sagittatum var. ovalifolium (ovalleaf thelypody) - considered for threatened status by NNNPS during the MX Missile proposal, then dropped from further consideration. Known from scattered small populations in moist alkaline soils around springs and valley bottoms of Steptoe, White River, Spring, Lake, Ruby, and Little Fishlake valleys in Elko, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine counties, Nevada, and from four adjacent counties in Utah. Heritage ranks G4T2, S2 in Nevada, S2 in Utah. Are threats increasing from proposed water withdrawals or other factors affecting its valley-bottom wetland habitat? Should we place back on NNPS Watch List and monitor?
• Taxa recommended for addition or transfer to the NNPS "M" list (Marginal and/or disjunct occurrence in Nevada, more widespread elsewhere).

• Ambrosia confertiflora - known from a burned area in the Spring Mountains, Clark Co. (Niles & Leary, 2007, Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Spring Mountains, in press).
• Anemone drummondii var. drummondii - recently discovered by Arnold Tiehm and Jan Nachlinger (in prep.) in the Mount Rose area of the Carson Range, Washoe Co. Known from a single occurrence.
• Dryopteris arguta (coastal woodfern) - recently discovered in the Spring Mountains (confirmation by George Yatskievych pending); otherwise widespread near the Pacific coast from Baja California to British Columbia, and an isolated occurrence in Arizona.
• Hymenoxys richardsonii var. richardsonii - recently discovered by Arnold Tiehm and Jan Nachlinger (in prep.) in the northeast corner of White Pine County. So far known from a single occurrence.
• Polygala macradenia var. macradenia - known from one site in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Niles & Leary, 2007, Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Spring Mountains, in press).
• Psilocarphus oregonus - found by Arnold Tiehm (in prep.) at two sites along the northern edge of the state.
• Sanvitalia abertii - known from a burned area in the Spring Mountains, Clark Co. (Niles & Leary, 2007, Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Spring Mountains, in press).

• Ancistrocarphus filagineus - found in a few scattered locations across the northern tier of counties.

• 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).
• 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 - Reported in Nevada as "restricted but locally abundant in the south, from the Newberry Mts. to Empire Wash, 10 miles west of U.S. Hwy. 95 and along State Hwy. 77, between Bridge Canyon and Hiko Spring Wash, Newberry Mts., Clark Co." (Kartesz 1987, p. 352). Otherwise apparently more common but poorly known in California, Arizona, and Utah. Heritage rank G3G4. 

7. Stale business: a "radar screen" for long-unresolved or ongoing issues (see separate background information on these taxa).  Please be prepared to present any new information, updates, or recommendations you may have for the following taxa:

• Astragalus lentiginosus var. stramineus (Straw milkvetch) - NNPS Watch List (2002).
• Atriplex argentea var. longitrichoma (Pahrump silverscale) - NNPS Watch List (2003).
• Botrychium (moonwort) taxa in Spring Mountains etc. - any new information?
• Eriogonum salicornioides (saltwort buckwheat) - NNPS Marginal List pending verification in Nevada.
• Lathyrus grimesii and Trifolium leibergii - update on noxious weed treatment and/or monitoring?
• Mimulus "ovatus" sp. or var. (Steamboat monkeyflower) - NNPS Threatened List, new name needed.
• Perityle congesta (Grand Canyon rockdaisy) - present in Nevada?
• Sisyrinchium funereum (Death Valley blue-eyed grass) - NNPS Threatened List (2003), Ash Meadows IDs pending.
• Sisyrinchium radicatum (Las Vegas blue-eyed grass) - NNPS Watch List (2003), Ash Meadows IDs pending.
• Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies'-tresses) - Rediscovered in Nevada in 2005, USFWS action pending.

(last updated 31 July 2007) 

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