(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
OTHER COMMON NAMES - FOUR-O'CLOCK and MACFARLANE'S
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARYOPHYLLALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - NYCTAGINACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - MIRABILIS,
SPECIES AND SSP - MACFARLANEI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - MIRABILIS MACFARLANEI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
MacFarlane's Four-o'clock
Mirabilis macfarlanei Constance & Rollins
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Caryophyllales FAMILY: Nyctaginaceae
Vasid-hairy perennial from a stout, deep-seated root; stems
brittle, freely branching and forming hemispheric clumps 6-12 dm
across; leaves opposite, rounded to ovate, more or less succulent, the
uppermost leaves generally sessile; flowers showy, clustered, corolla
large, magenta; involucres conspicuous, broadly funnelform (01,02).
Mirabilis macfarlanei is taxonomically distinct, and unlikely to
be confused with any other species because of its morphological
uniqueness and, in particular, its geographic isolation in the Snake
River Canyon (02,03). The closest relative of this species occurs
approximately 350 miles away (01,02).
There are no nomenclatural synonyms for this species. Type
specimens, as listed in Constance & Rollins (02), are as follows:
"Oregon, Wallowa County: Lower Cottonwood Landing, May 15, 1936,
Constance, Rollins, Clements, and Dillon 1579 (Holotype: at Washington
State University (WS); isotypes: University of Washington (WTU),
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
Oregon State University (OSC), Utah State University (UTC), and
University of Nevada (RENO).
Pilz (03) lists the following additional isotype collections and the
institutions where they are housed (unless otherwise indicated,
institutional holdings are represented by one sheet):
California Acadamy of Sciences (CAS); Dudley Herbarium-Stanford (DS -
2 sheets); Gray Herbarium-Harvard (GH); Jepson Herbarium-University of
California, Berkeley (JEPS); Kew Gardens-London (K); Missouri
Botanical Gardens-St. Louis (MO); New York Botanical Garden-Bronx
(NY); Pomona College-Claremont, CA (POM - 2 sheets); Rocky Mountain
Herbarium-Laramie, WY (RM); Univ. Herbarium, Univ. of California,
Berkeley (UC - 2 sheets); U.S. National Herbarium, Smithsonian,
Washington, DC (US - 2 sheets); Univ. of Wisconsin (WIS).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The MacFarlane's four-o'clock (Mirabilis macfarlane) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884;
16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status
wherever found including the States of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Removal and reduction to possession of any federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
BLM -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control (43 CFR 4140). Also
responsible for management/recovery on Bureau of Land
Management lands.
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Idaho
DESIGNATED STATUS: None.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
STATE: Oregon
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: Oregon Rev. Stat. 273.563 to 273.541 1985.
STATE: Washington
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Wash. State Dept. of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: Rev. Code of Washington 79.70, 34.04, 79.68
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
Mirabilis macfarlanei has a value to collectors for scientific
and horticultural purposes. Hitchcock (07) acknowledges the
attractiveness of the species, and suggests that the plants may be
suitable for use in the native garden - there is no evidence as yet,
that the species has been introduced into the horticultural trade but
hikers have no doubt picked the flowers due to their beauty. Specimen
collection by botanists has probably impacted the species, since so
few total plants are known to exist (01).
79/10/26:44 FR 61913 - Listed as Endangered.
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review.
87/07/07:52 FR 25522/ - Notice of 5 year review completion.
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Herbaceous Rangeland
Mixed Rangeland
Bare Exposed Rock
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Mirabilis macfarlanei occurs in herbaceous rangeland or near
the periphery of the riparian areas bounding the Snake Rivers; or on
open, rocky slopes about the rivers, in shrubby or mixed rangeland
(09). In the last century, cattle grazing in the Snake River Canyon
and adjacent areas has resulted in compositional changes in rangeland
vegetation, with an increase in the number of invasive annuals
(05,09). These annual weeds are highly competitive and have
replaced much of the local herbaceous flora. Other than sporadic
local farming along the Snake River, no agricultural activities
presently occur near known populations.
Prior to grazing in the region, the habitat currently occupied by
(the Agrpyron spicatum-Festuca idahoensis association along the
rivers, and a shrub-steppe community mostly lacking Artemisia on the
higher slopes) was probably dominated by perennial bunchgrasses,
including species of Agropyron, Festuca, Elymus, and Poa. The
herbaceous flora along the rivers would have included species of
Phacelia, Cryptantha, Erigeron, Eriogonum, Atriplex, Penstemon,
Astragalus, and Lupins, to name a few. Many of these species remain
in the habitat today, although presumably in diminished numbers from
pre-settlement days. Shrubs are largely lacking in the perennial
grasslands along the rivers and on adjacent slopes, although a few
scattered shrubs or small trees may be present, most notably Celtis
reticulata (05,09,10). Populations which occur on slopes several
hundred feet above the rivers are also found in bunchgrass steppe, but
usually with a greater numbers of shrubs, including Ribes and Purshia.
Mirabilis does not directly associate with shrubs, however, and
the existence of woody plants in the habitats of Mirabilis are
qualitatively similar to those species found down along the rivers.
Exceptions might include higher numbers of Lomatium species and
Balsamorhiza sagittata (05).
Introduced weeds are common and in some areas dominant throughout
the range of Mirabilis macfarlanei (05). The most prominent examples
are cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead wildrye (Elymus
caput-medusae), tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) and sweetclover
(Melilotus spp.). Cheatgrass, in particular, is dominant and a
ubiquitous element of the flora.
Elevational range for the species is roughly 1000 - 1600 feet.
The plants occur on extremely open rocky slopes or talus. Exposure
apparently varies, although east slopes are common for populations in
Oregon. Soil requirements are not currently well documented,
although studies are underway (08). The species may show an
association for calcareous substrates in some areas, and basalt in
others (08). A recent collection from Oregon is indicated as
occurring on "deep sandy loam" (11). Other enviromental parameters
for the species are not yet known, although work on several aspects is
in progress (08).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Talus
G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The MacFarlane's four-o'clock is an herb (02,03).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (02,03).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (03).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination dates are unknown. Leafing dates are unknown but
probably occurs in late-winter (may retain leaves all year in some
localities) (05). Budding occurs in April (03,01). Anthesis occurs
in May (03,05); possibly late-April or early-June in some years.
Fruiting occurs in June (03,05). Seed/fruit dispersal occurs from
June to July (03,05).
Geographic variation in this species is possible, due to the
isolated nature of the populations. Extremely small or severely
isolated patches may be expected to show reduced seed set (03).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (03). Mirabilis macfarlanei is an obligate
outcrosser (03).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollen dissemination agents are believed to be bees or
hummingbirds (03). The seed dissemination is presumed to be autochory
(05). Disruption of the natural vegetation occurring with
Mirabilis macfarlanei, largely due to grazing influences, probably
alters the densities and activities of potential pollinators.
Extremely small populations of the species may be inadequate to
attract pollinators as well.
SEED BIOLOGY:
Data on seed biology is unavailable. Pilz (03) indicates that
seed set is often low in some Mirabilis species, but he is not
specific.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Specific information on the population biology of Mirabilis
macfarlanei is limited. Mortality may occur as a result of insect
predation, seed abortion, drought, competition, and human impact (03,
01,05). Populations vary from 2 plants (01), to several dozen or
more (05,08,11). Plants are generally scattered, e.g., an Oregon
population consisting of about 50 plants over 5 acres. Recovery
potential for this species hinges on a combination of habitat
restoration and enforced maintenance, as well as thorough
investigation of the species' biology, particularly seed bank
dynamics, germination strategies, and reproductive efficiency (05).
Work by Pilz (03) suggests that Mirabilis species in general are
poor competitors at the seedling stage, exhibit sparse recruitment,
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
are subject to flower bud abortion if moisture supplies dwindle, and
set little seed in nature.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Specific information on soils supporting Mirabilis macfarlanei is
not yet available - however, studies are currently being compiled by
the Boise office of the USFWS (08). Soils associated with the
vegetation associations which contain populations of Mirabilis are
haploxerolls, natrixerolls, palexerolls, and argixerolls (01,09).
The species apparently benefits from a lengthy photoperiod, since it
occurs primarily in very open habitat (inferred from 01,05). In
general, climatic and other environmental parameters required by the
species are poorly known. Since it has not been recorded from above
1,600 feet (01,03,05,06,11), it probably requires relatively warm
temperatures in early spring - this may very well be a factor
limiting its distribution outside the Snake and Salmon River canyons.
The species is apparently not restricted to any particular aspect
(08), although east may be the most common. Mineral requirements are
not known. Associations with soil containing lime as well as
predominantly basalt substrates have been observed (05,08). At least
one report lists Mirabilis plants growing in deep, sandy-loam (11).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (inferred from 02,03).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (01,03,04,05,06,08,10,11).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Mirabilis macfarlanei occurs in low elevation herbaceous
rangeland, dominated by species of Festuca, Poa, Agropyron, Phacelia,
Balsamorhiza, Lomatium, Eriogonum, and other native forbs and
graminoids. Additionally, occasional shrubs and small trees,
primarily species of Ribes and Celtis, occur in this community. The
range inhabited by Mirabilis, i.e., the middle Snake and Salmon River
canyons, has been influenced by grazing for a century or more (12).
The resulting changes in vegetation, allowing a significant influx of
alien, competitive weeds (09,05), has resulted in a community which is
inhospitable to recruitment of many native species, particularly
herbaceous plants. While data are not available to support the
notion that Mirabilis recruitment is influenced by weeds such as
cheatgrass, observations suggest this is so (01,05). Moreover, once
cheatgrass is established, natural succession in native range is
disrupted, with a largely static annual grassland the result. Such
weed associations are very difficult to eradicate (09,12).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
This species has no known causal relationship with any other
organism.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Pilz (03) states that aging of Mirabilis plants after the
first-year stage is virtually impossible. This may have implications
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
in future demographic or age-distribution studies of M. macfarlanei.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Disease Control Measures
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Hiking/Camping
Existing Hiking/Camping
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Mirabilis macfarlanei is known from few populations. There
are generally only a few plants in most populations. Because the
species does not self-fertilize (it is genetically self-incapatible
(03)), isolation from other Mirabililis plants can severely
restrict or curtail successful pollination and seed production
in a population. Other natural hazards faced by the species
include fungal infections of foliage and destruction of
immature ovaries and fruit by insect predation (04,05,06). The
isolated nature of the populations may contribute to a limited ability
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
to select for strains resistant to disease and or predation, due to
low gene pools.
Collection for horticultural and scientific purposes are current
threats to this species. Hitchcock (07) acknowledges the
attractiveness of the species, and suggests that the plants may be
suitable for use in the native garden - there is no evidence as yet,
that the species has been introduced into the horticultural trade but
hikers have no doubt picked the flowers due to their beauty. Specimen
collection by botanists has probably impacted the species, since so
few total plants are known to exist (01). The temptation to document
the existence of rare species by securing herbarium vouchers is
frequently a problem in rare plant management. Additional threats
imposed on Mirabilis macfarlanei by direct human intervention or
disturbance include: hiking and automobile traffic (populations occur
adjacent to trails and roads, and occur along the Snake or Salmon
River, where boating enthusiasts camp and recreate (05,04,01)); and
maintenance of trails and roads.
An indirect human threat is posed by cattle grazing. Aside from
mechanical damage to plants, grazing by cattle in the arid Pacific
Northwest generally results in changes in vegetation composition.
This has been noted at most of the current sites for this specis.
These changes have resulted in the establishment of highly competitive
exotic annuals. The most prolific of these is Bromus tectorum
(cheatgrass).
The extent of which these current threats are harming the
populations is not known. The most likely future threats to the
species may include increased grazing pressure, increased recreation
in the area, and the lack of enforced regulatory measures.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Recovery Plan for the
MacFarlane's Four-o'clock, Mirabilis macfarlanei. U.S. Fish and
Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 47 pp.
The primary objective in the Recovery Plan for the MacFarlane
Four-o'clock is to reclassify to threatened status and to delist the
species. Reclassifycation and delisting may be considered when four
colonies in each population and five colonies in each population,
respectively, are protected and managed as necessary to assure their
continued existence and to attain minimum cover, frequency, and stem
numbers in each colony. The colony parameters will be determined by
vegetative sampling. The objectives are subject to modification to
reflect any discoveries of new populations or colonies.
The recovery activities necessary to achieve the objectives are:
1. Search for new colonies, and identify potential habitats;
2. Secure each colony with administrative agreement, and protect each
colony by implementing habitat management plan;
3. Monitor colonies, and respond to changes, impacts, or threats in
habitat mangagement plans based on results of research (the
identified threats and impacts include casual collecting, human
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
trampling, herbicides, grazing, fungal disease, predation and
damage from insects, and inhibitory affects from exotic plants);
and
4. Establish new colonies through seedlings and propagules, and
establish a propagule bank.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Siddall, J. and K. Chambers. 1978. Status rept. for: Mirabilis
macfarlanei - on file with: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR.
02 Constance, L. and R. Rollins. 1936. Proceedings of the Biological
Society of Washington. 49:148-149.
03 Pilz, G.E. 1978. Systematics of Mirabilis suggen Quamoclidion
(Nyctaginaceae). Madrono 25:113-176.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1979. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status for
Mirabilis macfarlanei. Fed. Reg. 44:61912-13.
05 Meinke, Robert. 1979-81. Pers. obs. Oregon State Univ., Dept.
of Botany & Pl. Path., Corvallis.
06 Johnson, F.D. 1981. Write-up on Mirabilis macfarlanei in Vasc.
pl. spp. of concern in Idaho, Bull. 34. College of Fish., Wildl.,
and Range Sci., Univ. of Idaho, Moscow.
07 Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. Thompson. 1964.
Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest 2:224. Univ. of Wash.
Press, Seattle.
08 Parenti, R. 1985. Pers. comm. U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Boise
ID.
09 Franklin, J. and C. Dryness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon
and Washington. USDA Forest Serv. Gen. tech. Bull., PNW-8,
Portland, OR. 220 pp.
10 Meinke, R. 1982. Threatened and endangered vascular plants of
Oregon and Washington. USDA Forest Serv. Gen. Tech. Bull., PNW-8,
Portland, OR.
11 Herbarium Records. 1936, 1939, 1947. Oregon State Univ. Herbarium
(OSC) - Dept. of Botany & Pl. Path., Corvallis, Oregon.
12 Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Forest Service staff. 1981-84.
Pers. comm. BLM Baker Area Office & USFS Wallowa-Whitman SO, Baker
OR.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. Thompson. 1964.
Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest 2:224. Univ. of Wash.
Press, Seattle.
02 Peck, M. 1961. A Manual of the Higher Plants of Oregon. Binsford
& Mort, Portland, OR.
03 Herbarium Records. [n.d.] Oregon State Univ. Herbarium (OSC) -
Dept. of Botany & Pl. Path., Corvallis, OR.
04 Siddall, J. and K. Chambers. 1978. Status rept. for: Mirabilis
macfarlanei - on file with: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR.
05 Parenti, R. 1985. Pers. comm. U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Boise
ID.
06 Siddall, J. 1984. Pers. comm. Lake Oswego, OR.
07 Meinke, R. and C. Chambers. 1985. Herbarium-Oregon State Univ.,
Corvallis, OR.
08 Constance, L. and R. Rollins. 1936. Proceedings of the Biological
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species FOUR-O'CLOCK, MACFARLANE'S
Species Id ESIS701015
Date 13 MAR 96
Soc. of Wash. 49:148-149.
09 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1986. Endangered Species Tech.
Bull.; Reg. Briefs. Vol. XI No. 7.
References - 2