Rare Plant Monitoring Report 2009

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Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

Rare Plant Monitoring

2009 Annual Report

Summary

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservations Rare Plant Monitoring Project provides critically-

needed information on the status of Washington States rare plant species. Trained volunteers

monitor known occurrences of rare plants and report on their status and the habitat where theyoccur. Monitoring data collected under this project are provided to the Washington Natural

Heritage Program and to federal, state, and local land managers to inform short-term and long-

term conservation practices. In 2009, a total of 123 surveys of rare plant populations werecompleted throughout the state of Washington. Eighteen of these sites represented potentially new

occurrences for the Washington Natural Heritage Program. Volunteers successfully relocated the

rare plant species at 63% of the sites monitored. Reports were also provided on 3 additionalmonitoring attempts; however, the surveyors could not reach the sites due to access or time

constraints. A total of 85 volunteers participated in the project and 17 new volunteers were trainedin 2009.

Introduction

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) initiated the Rare Plant MonitoringProject in 2009 to provide critically-needed information on rare plant populations in Washington

State. The project was developed in partnership with the Washington Natural Heritage Program

(WNHP), the agency responsible for tracking native biological diversity of the state. The focus ofthis project is the approximately 370 species of native plants considered to be endangered,

threatened or sensitive to decline or extirpation by WNHP. These plants face an ever-increasing

level of threat to extirpation due to ongoing loss or degradation of habitat and an ever expanding


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occurrences specifically requested by land managers of public agencies where rare plant

populations occur and 2) Rare Cares focus species. Focus species were those that Rare Care

selected for comprehensive monitoring such that all of their occurrences on public lands weremonitored in a three to five year time frame.

High priority was also given to monitoring occurrences whose records in the WNHP database had

not been updated since 1990. Within this group, higher emphasis was placed on species

considered to be threatened or endangered under the WNHP ranking system. Finally, priority wasplaced on occurrences that were not located by Rare Care volunteers in previous years. After three

attempts on an occurrence by at least two different surveyors, Rare Care considers the occurrence

to be extirpated and will no longer include it on the list of monitoring priorities in future years.

2009 Monitoring Results

During the 2009 field season, Rare Care volunteers completed 123 surveys of rare plantoccurrences throughout Washington State representing 78 species (Table 1). Attempts were made

to monitor an additional three occurrences; however, they could not be reached due to access or

time constraints. For these three sites, volunteers provided reports that include valuable accessinformation for future surveyors. At 63% of the monitored sites, volunteers found and documented

the rare plant occurrence. Twenty-one of the 77 rare plant populations found consisted of fewer

than 50 individuals. It is unknown whether these populations are stable or in decline. Surveyorsreported invasive species at 48% of the sites (Table 2) and reported potential land use and

management concerns at 43% of the sites (Table 3). Original data sheets were provided to WNHP

and copies were provided to land managers for occurrences monitored under their jurisdiction.

For the third consecutive year, Rare Care organized a rare plant monitoring weekend. Volunteersand staff gathered for two days to assist WNHP with their three-year review of Wenatchee

Mountain endemic and rare plant species. In 2009, the monitoring weekend focused on areas inand around Upper Naneum basin in Kittitas County. In addition to compiling plant lists and


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In addition to these five new populations, Rare Care volunteers documented an additional 13

potentially new locations in 2009 for rare plants in other parts of the state. These populationsoccurred outside the recorded extent of existing element occurrences in the Washington Natural

Heritage Program database. They should be reviewed by WNHP to determine if in fact theyrepresent new occurrences. Five of the sites were documented at the Klickitat Wildlife Area and

included thousands of individuals each ofCalochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus,

Lomatium suksdorfii, and Trichostema oblongum; a population of over 500 individuals of

Penstemon barrettiae; and a population of over 200 individuals of what appears to be a hybrid of

Ranunculus triternatus andR. glaberrimus. A specimen from this last population will be collected

in 2010 and sent to an expert for identification. Another population ofTrichostema oblongum wasalso found in Klickitat County, at Conboy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This second

population contained approximately 200 to 500 individuals. A small populationEryngiumpetiolatum with less than 200 individuals was also discovered at Conboy NWR. Finally, one other

potentially new population of a rare plant species was reported from Klickitat County: a singleplant ofSpiranthes porrifolia on private land.

Elsewhere in the state, volunteers documented five potentially new populations of sensitive plantspecies. New populations ofErigeron howellii and Sullivantia oregana were found on bluffs and

steep slopes near Skamania, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Population sizes estimated for these two new occurrences were 313 and 140, respectively. A largepopulation of over 600 Carex comosa individuals was reported from a state park in King County.

Also in King County, three groups ofLycopodium dendroideum, containing a total of 30 stems,

were documented in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Finally, a population of

Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii containing 150 individuals was reported from a site near

Wenatchee, Washington.

Of the 127 populations assigned to volunteers for monitoring, 25 were not attempted this seasondue to a variety of reasons. In most cases, the volunteer simply did not have time to complete the


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Table 1

Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results


Species name

EO

Number

Species

found?

(Y/N/U/X)1

Population

Size

Estimate2 Management Unit Owner

Agoseris elata 16 Y 299 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Agoseris elata New4 Y 2 stems Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Agoseris elata New4 Y 65 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFSAnemone patens var. multifida 7 N Methow RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Astragalus misellus var. pauper 28 Y 226 Montanum ACEC BLM

Boschniakia hookeri 2 X Kitsap Forest NAP WA DNR

Calochortus longebarbatus var.

longebarbatusNew4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW

Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Steamboat Rock State Park WA SPR

Campanula lasiocarpa 2 Y 2204 stems Morning Star NRCA WA DNR

Campanula lasiocarpa 5 Y >51 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Carex comosa New4 Y >600 stems Flaming Geyser State Park WA SPR

Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua 9 N Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR

Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua 11 Y 5000 stems Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNRCarex praeceptorum 1 N Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR

Carex saxatilis var. major 11 Y 13 fruiting

stems

Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Carex scirpoidea ssp. scirpoidea None5 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Carex stylosa 5 Y 1000s

stems

Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Carex stylosa 6 Y 131 Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR

Carex stylosa 7 Y Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR

Carex sychnocephala None5 N Sinlahekin WA WDFW

Chrysolepis chrysophylla var.

chrysophylla

4 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS


chrysophylla

4 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS


chrysophylla

36 Y 4 South Puget Sound Region WA DNR


chrysophylla

49 U City of Woodinville, Parks & Recreation City of

Woodinville

Cimicifuga elata var. elata 6 N Lewisville Park / Vancouver -Clark Regional Park City of

Vancouver

Cochlearia groenlandica 6 N Hoodsport Hatchery WDFW

Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Crab Creek WA WDFW


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Table 1



Species name

EO

Number

Species

found?

(Y/N/U/X)1

Population

Size


Cryptantha leucophaea 30 Y 30 Columbia Basin WA WDFW

Cryptogramma stelleri 2 N Glacier Peak EWA, Chelan RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 11 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFSCypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 194 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 13 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Cypripedium fasciculatum 11 Y 12 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Cypripedium parviflorum 8 N Turnbull NWR USFWS

Cypripedium parviflorum 12 Y 3 stems

(1 clump)

Turnbull NWR USFWS

Cypripedium parviflorum 15 Y 13 stems Turnbull NWR USFWS

Damasonium californicum 3 Y 5880-6510 Columbia River Gorge NSA Private

Damasonium californicum 4 N Columbia Hills State Park, Columbia River Gorge NSA WA SPR

Dryopteris cristata 7 U >12 Three Rivers RD, Colville NF USFS

Erigeron howellii New4

Y 313 Pacific Cascade Distrist, Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF,Columbia River Gorge NSA

WA DNRUSFS

Erigeron piperianus 51 Y >125 Southeast Region WA DNR

Erigeron salishii 6 Y 500 Alpine Lakes EWA, Enchantments SI, Wenatchee River RD,

Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

USFS

Erigeron salishii 9 Y 500 - 1000 Glacier Peak EWA, Entiat RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Eryngium petiolatum New4 Y < 200 Conboy Lake NWR USFWS

Euonymus occidentalis var.

occidentalis

1 Y 40 Winston Creek Campground WA DNR

Euonymus occidentalis var.

occidentalis

3 N Lewisville Regional Park Lewis

County

Eurybia merita 5 Y 1000 Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFSFritillaria camschatcensis 12 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFS

Fritillaria camschatcensis 15 X Alpine Lakes EWA, Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFS

Gaultheria hispidula 9 N Morning Star NRCA, Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF WA DNR

USFS

Howellia aquatilis 17 N Turnbull NWR USFWS


Howellia aquatilis 20 Y Turnbull NWR USFWS

Howellia aquatilis 21 Y 2 Turnbull NWR USFWS



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Table 1



Species name

EO

Number

Species

found?

(Y/N/U/X)1

Population

Size




Howellia aquatilis 38 Y abundant Turnbull NWR USFWSHowellia aquatilis 56 N Turnbull NWR USFWS

Howellia aquatilis 58 Y >1000 Turnbull NWR USFWS

Howellia aquatilis 59 Y 25-Oct Turnbull NWR USFWS



Iliamna longisepala 101 N Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Isoetes nuttallii 12 Y 103 Columbia Hills State Park, Columbia River Gorge NSA WA SPR

Lathyrus vestitus ssp. bolanderi 4 Y 60 Lewis and Clark State Park WA SPR

Lobelia dortmanna 24 Y 4180 stems Moran State Park WA SPR

Lomatium sandbergii 1 N Sullivan Lake RD, Colville and Idaho Panhandle NF USFS

Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y 10,000+ Klickitat WA WDFWLomatium suksdorfii New4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW

Lomatium tuberosum 9 Y 1130 BLM

Lomatium tuberosum 11 X BLM

Lycopodiella inundata 5 N Skating Lake State Park WA SPR

Lycopodium dendroideum 3 Y 670 stems Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Lycopodium dendroideum 10 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Lycopodium dendroideum 12 Y 90 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Lycopodium dendroideum New4 Y 30 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Meconella oregana 9 N San Juan County Land Bank Private

Microseris bigelovii 2 N Friday Harbor Laboratories UW

Microseris borealis 9 Y >100 Cowlitz Valley RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFSMicroseris borealis 11 Y 127 Cowlitz Valley RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS

Myosurus clavicaulis 1 N Columbia Hills State Park WA SPR

Ophioglossum pusillum 8 N Killebrew Lake NAP WDFW

Orobanche californica ssp. grayana None6 N Conboy Lake NWR USFWS

Parnassia kotzebuei 2 N Tonasket RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y 7150 Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Pedicularis rainierensis 51 Y 2600 Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Pellaea breweri 5 N Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, Chelan RD, Okanogan-

Wenatchee NF

USFS

Pellaea breweri 6 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS


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Table 1



Species name

EO

Number

Species

found?

(Y/N/U/X)1

Population

Size


Pellaea breweri 7 Y 3 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Penstemon barrettiae New4 Y >565 Klickitat WA WDFW

Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii 5 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFSPenstemon eriantherus var. whitedii New4 Y 150 Swakane Unit, Colockum WA WDFW

Petrophyton cinerascens 4 Y 1390 Colockum WA, Earthquake Point ACEC, Entiat RD, Okanogan-

Wenatchee NF

WDFW

USFS BLM

Phacelia lenta 8 N BLM

Phacelia minutissima 1 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Platanthera chorisiana 3 Y 42 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS

Platanthera chorisiana 4 N Henry M Jackson EWA, Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie

NF

USFS

Platanthera sparsiflora 4 N Naches RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Polemonium viscosum 5 Y 9 stems Methow Valley RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFSPotentilla drummondii ssp. breweri New4 Y 51 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Potentilla nivea 1 Y 170 Chopaka Mountain NAP WA DNR

Potentilla rubricaulis 1 Y 914 Chopaka Mountain NAP WA DNR

Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia 2 Y 5000 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia New4 Y 3000 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia New4 Y >1800 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-W enatchee NF USFS

Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y 52 stems Southeast Region WA DNR

Ranunculus cooleyae 4 Y 88 Morning Star NRCA WA DNR

Ranunculus triternatus / R.

glaberrimus3New4 U >200 Klickitat WA WDFW

Sanguisorba menziesii 5 U >500 Carlisle Bog NAP WA DNRSanicula marilandica 45 Y 250 Sinlahekin WA WDFW

Saxifraga cernua 3 N Tonasket RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Saxifraga rivularis 13 Y 245 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Sidalcea oregana var. calva 11 N Colockum WA WDFW

Silene seelyi 3 Y 163 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Silene seelyi 22 Y


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Table 1



Species name

EO

Number

Species

found?

(Y/N/U/X)1

Population

Size


Spiranthes porrifolia 1 Y 1500 Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS

Sullivantia oregana New4 Y 140 Pacific Cascade Distrist, Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF,

Columbia River Gorge NSA

WA DNR

USFSTrichostema oblongum New4 Y 200 - 500 Conboy Lake NWR USFWS

Trichostema oblongum New4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW

Trifolium thompsonii 26 Y 4,800-8,400 BLM

Trillium parviflorum 1 Y 60 stems Bald Hill NAP WA DNR

126

77

42

Number of uncertain: 4

Number of occurrences not reached: 3

Notes:

1. Y = yes, N = no, U = identity uncertain, X = not monitored (site not reached)

2. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.

3. Identity of this Ranunculus is in question and may be a hybrid of the two species.

4. Potentially new site that may not be in WNHP database.

5. Site identified by land owner and may not be in WNHP database.

6. Land manager requested Rare Care to look for this species in this area.

Abbreviations:

ACEC - Area of Critical Environmental Concern SI - Special InterestBLM - Bureau of Land Management USFS - United States Forest Service

EWA - Established Wilderness Area USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service

NAP - Natural Area Preserve UW - University of Washington

NF - National Forest WDFW - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

NRCA - Natural Resources Conservation Area WA -Washington, Wildlife Area

NSA - National Scenic Area WA DNR - Washington Department of Natural Resources

NWR - National Wildlife Refuge WA SPR - Washington State Parks

RD - Ranger District

Number found:

Number of occurrences monitored:

Number not found:


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Table 2

Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Seasons Results

Invasive Species Threats

Species name EO Num

Species

found

(Y/N) Invasive Species Present Comments on Invasive Species

Agoseris elata 16 Y Taraxacum officinale Interspersed in meadow - not crowding out

native species

Agoseris elata New Y Introduced grasses

Astragalus misellus var.

pauper

28 Y Bromus tectorum, Sisymbrium

altissiana

Boschniakia hookeri 2 X Cytisus scoparius, Rubus

armeniacus

Calochortus

longebarbatus var.

longebarbatus

New Y Ventenata dubia Weedy grasses are present, with what

appears to be V. dubia covering the

landscape around CALOL.Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Bromus tectorum This species has taken over all soil areas,

under few shrubs (basically Philadelphus

sp.) and on the ribs.

Carex comosa New Y Solanum dulcamara, Phalaris

arundenacea

Carex sychnocephala New N Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Yes. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum in

shallow water, not dominant

Chrysolepis chrysophylla 49 U Rubus armeniacus, Ilex

aquifolium, Hedera helix

Also, other weeds common to disturbed soil.

Also, escaped or discarded landscape

plants: chestnut (many plants in varioustages), holly, and bamboo.

Cimicifuga elata var.

elata

6 N Rubus armeniacus

Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Elaeagnus angustifolia,

Salsola tragus

More non-natives than natives are present.

Elaeagnus augustifolia becoming dense,

Salsola tragus collecting on lee of dunes.

Moist banks of Crab Creek largely non-

native vegetation.Cryptantha leucophaea 30 Y Bromus tectorum, Elaeagnus

angustifolia, Comandraumbellatum

Cypripedium parviflorum 8 N Phalaris arundinacea PHAR is common at the edge of the pond

and along the inlet and outlet streams and is

present though not dominant in the upland


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Table 2



Species name EO Num

Species

found


Erigeron piperianus 51 Y Bromus tectorum Cheat grass was dominant on previously

recorded site (2 plants found) but much less

dense in area of current population.

Eryngium petiolatum New Y Ventenata dubia, Phalaris

arundinacea

Yes, voodoo grass (V. dubia), reed canary

grass. Voodoo grass is abundant in the

shallow channels where ERPE7 is located.

There are a few patches of reed canary

grass at the west end of the channels.

Euonymus occidentalisvar. occidentalis 1 Y Rubus laciniatus, Ranunculusrepens

Euonymus occidentalis

var. occidentalis

3 N Rubus armeniacus Various grass and lawn weeds in drainfield

and around edges of forest: along roads and

parking.

Howellia aquatilis 17 N Phalaris arundinacea Dense PHAR (or Scirpus arcutus) cover

over most of the wetland.

Howellia aquatilis 21 Y Phalaris arundinacea 30% coverage

Howellia aquatilis 26 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10-40% coverage


Howellia aquatilis 38 Y Phalaris arundinaceaHowellia aquatilis 56 N Phalaris arundinacea PHAR dominated meadow

Howellia aquatilis 58 Y Phalaris arundinacea 50+ % coverage

Howellia aquatilis 59 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10% coverage (limited in extent, mostly

along edge)

Howellia aquatilis 60 Y Phalaris arundinacea 25% coverage


Isoetes nuttallii 12 Y Polypogon monspeliensis Unidentified grasses are crowding the edges

of the pools as they evaporate.

Lathyrus vestitus ssp.

bolanderi

4 Y Anthoxantum odoratum

Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y Poa bulbosa, Bromus

tectorum, Bromus hordeaceus

Weedy annual grasses are present on most

of these slopes but most abundant on the

flatter benches which were farmed or grazed

presumably planted (historically) as forage


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Table 2



Species name EO Num

Species

found


Petrophyton cinerascens 4 Y Linaria dalmatica, Bromus

tectorum, Centaurea diffusaPlatanthera sparsiflora 4 N Ranunculus repens

Pyrrocoma hirta var.

sonchifolia

New Y Cirsium arvense Beside the population, not in it.


sonchifolia

New Y Cirsium arvense Possible weedy grasses at all, Cirsium

arvense at site #1

Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y Dipsacus sylvestris Found especially near the road, scattered

elsewhere - other invasives not noted in

immediate proximity to PYLI, but an earlier

visit, when forbs/graminoids are more

identifiable, would probably reveal more

invasives.

Ranunculus triternatus /

R. glaberrimus

New U Hypochaeris radicata, Poa

bulbosa

Generally the area searched is in very good

condition.

Sanguisorba menziesii 5 U Few invasives are found in the wetland

complex.

Sanicula marilandica 45 Y Kochia scopairia, Cirsium sp.,

Verbascum thapsus

In general area, not immediately with

population.

Sidalcea oregana var.calva 11 N Timothy, Dactylis glomerata

Silene seelyi 22 Y Bromus tectorum

Silene spaldingii 61 Y Hypericum perforatum, Linaria

dalmatica, Bromus tectorum

A few plants of H. perforatum and L.

dalmatica.

Silene spaldingii 62 N Hypericum performatum,

Chondrilla juncea, Bromus

tectorum, Linaria dalmatica

Hypericum performatum and Linaria

dalmatica abundant; Chondrilla juncea and

Bromus tectorum moderately abundant.

Sisyrinchiumsarmentosum

18 N Leucanthemum vulgare

Spiranthes porrifolia New Y Phalaris arundinacea, Bromus

tectorum, Chondrilla juncea,

Bromus diandrus


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Table 3


Land Use and Management Concerns

Species name EO #

Species

found?

(Y/N) Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments

Agoseris elata 16 Y Trampling by elk. Motorbike usage in the area is heavy - a few crossed the

meadow.

Agoseris elata New4 Y Heavy use by elk - migration, some bedding areas. Trail for hikers, horses

& motor bikes crosses stream at upper ed of meadow.

Anemone patens var.

multifida

7 N Better management of campers is needed to prevent degradation of

meadow areas. There are rocky, flat camping areas above the lake but we

saw a group of three camped directly next to the lake on A. occidentalis.

There had been significant rock & landslides (and avalanches) in and

around basin.Calochortus

longebarbatus var.

longebarbatus

New4 Y The area is not currently grazed, but would suffer if this occurred. ATVs

and trail bikes could potentially damage the area, although the area is

signed to prevent such action. Any acitivities that deepen the stream

channel would prevent flooding of the surrounding flood plain, leaving

these species high and dry. In addition, local folks camp at the Canyon

Creek trailhead at a time when TROB and CALOL are both in flower.

Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Run off, though seldom, diminishes soil ribs. I noted deep foot prints along

edge of ribs on both sides.Carex comosa New

4 Y Water level maintained by beaver dam - height controlled by park

personnel.

Carex magellanica ssp.

irrigua

11 Y Very little evidence of human use, some beverage containers on shore,

but old and very few. Adjacent land use will impact the quality of these

bogs. It is fortunate that the bogs are separated from the road system by

topographic ridges. ORV trail to the south appears to get used, but not a

lot of use of the bogs.

Carex praeceptorum 1 N Yes, There is some trampling in the bog area at the north end of the lake,

but it is limited to the lakeshore areas of the bog, probably from fisherman.

We searched less trammeled areas as well and did not find the plant.

Carex saxatilis var. major 11 Y I only found a few CASA, but they are at a seldom-visited part of this

heavily used lake Trampling from the occasional fisherman may impact


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Table 3



Species name EO #

Species

found?


Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Area is seriously degraded due to heavy ATV use and extensive increase

of alien species.

Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y This area is bordered on two sides by a subdivision of vacation homes

with an abundance of small vehicles. A number of old roads run through

the area and garbage has been dumped in piles, then partially buried, in

the past. Neither activity seems to be current. Also, young Douglas firs are

growing among the Ponderosa which will eventually alter habitat for

CYFA. Marked herbivory of Cypripedium montanum was noted in the

area. Most flowering heads had been bitten off (see photos). A fewscattered flowering plants remained, and one clump preotected by a rose

shrub had several flowers. It seems plausible that the decline in shape IDs

of C. fasciculatum found (50% only) and the reduction in stem number of

those located may be due to herbivory.

Cypripedium fasciculatum 11 Y Dead fir trees throughout the area up to the old location, Pine beetles?

Spruce bud worms? Fir tree management needed for diseased trees. The

old population may be lost due to mycorrhizal disruption. The new

population has two plants right on the edge of trail. Maybe advise no trailwidening in that area.

Damasonium californicum 3 Y Fence is down on the west side so cattle and horses have access to this

pond, where the horses have been observed in the pond, and where much

fecal material accumulates. Cows graze the perimeter where yound

DACA12 grow. No direct evidence of herbivory of the older plants. Fences

need to be fixed and checked on a regular basis to prevent infiltration by

neighboring cattle and horses. A bigger concern is controlling the

proliferation of reed canary grass which is over running the majority of the

pond (very little DACA12 observed amongth the canary grass).

Erigeron howellii New4 Y This area is increasingly being explored and hiked by local people.

Erigeron piperianus 51 Y Cow pies were everywhere - very heavily grazed but no damage to ERPI3

b d


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Table 3



Species name EO #

Species

found?


Lomatium suksdorfii New4 Y Some of the population is on a private parcel showing minor evidence of

grazing and perhaps prior agricultural practices. As mentioned above,

there may be a threat due to grazing. This is a fairly high quality grassland

and oak forest with several other rare plants present.

Lycopodium dendroideum 10 N Survey area was a working quarry which may have expanded or changed

since previous survey in 1992.

Lycopodium dendroideum New4 Y Site 1 is vulnerable to foot traffic, be it human or otherwise.

Orobanche californicassp. grayana

None6 N Yes. The area has been drained & grazed but most species persist insuitable habitat.

Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y Disturbance: possible disturbance from ridge-top road erosion of

talus/scree and sand. Also, some recreation-related items were found

scattered (cans, ski pole, scarf, etc). Expansion of resort could threaten

population, especially any new disturbance along ridges.

Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y Disturbance from removal of ridgetop to construct new lift landing. Ridge

was cut vertical on southern side and is likely unstable. Also, some

construction debris remains as well as installation of plastic poles to mark

ski hazards or ski boundaries. Impacts to population are unknown.

Penstemon eriantherus

var. whitedii

5 N Logging is occurring in the araea and prescribed burns are planned.

Penstemon eriantherus

var. whitediiNew

4 Y The northern sites are right along the road; the disturbed soil is likely from

road grading.

Phacelia minutissima 1 N Elk grazing in the vicinity.

Potentilla drummondii ssp.

breweriNew

4 Y Site #2 showed signs of numerous elk tracks disturbing site. Site #1 is on

side of road where vehicles may impact plants.


sonchifolia

2 Y Some impacts by elk.


sonchifoliaNew

4 Y Possibility of ORV damage - none seen. Some elk trampling in moist

areas.

Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y The level & gently sloping areas at & above the rim of the canyon are


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Table 3



Species name EO #

Species

found?


Sullivantia oregana New4 Y This area is increasingly being explored and hiked by local people.

Trichostema oblongum New4 Y The road gets light use each day. The plant is on the edge of the road so

probably is affected by grading of the road in spring. There may be some

cattle drives along the road, but these don't look like they affect this small

annual. Tracks off to the side of the road indicated that someone had

driven off the road along the private fence, probably to fix the fence. This

is a site where there are numberous CALOL, ERPE7 and ORBR within

feet of road.

Trichostema oblongum New4 Y The area is not currently grazed, but would suffer if this occurred. ATVsand trail bikes could potentially damage the area, although the area is

signed to prevent such action. Any acitivities that deepen the stream

channel would prevent flooding of the surrounding flood plain, leaving

these species high and dry. In addition, local folks camp at the Canyon

Creek trailhead at a time when TROB and CALOL are both in flower.

Trillium parviflorum 1 Y Surrounded by privately-owned forest land that motorized vehicles/bikes

use. Climbers too.


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Documents

Rare Plant Monitoring Report 2009