(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES OTHER COMMON NAMES - EVENING-PRIMROSE and ANTIOCH DUNES ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Angiosperm PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA, ORDER AND SUBORDER - MYRTALES, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ONAGRACEAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - OENOTHERA, SPECIES AND SSP - DELTOIDES, SSP. SCIENTIFIC NAME - OENOTHERA DELTOIDES SSP. AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Antioch Dunes Evening-primrose Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii (Munz) W. Klein KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida ORDER: Myrtales FAMILY: Onagraceae The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is a perennial species characterized by few to several decumbent branches reaching 0.5 - 3 dm high. The plant generally is glabrous below and spreading pubescent in upper parts. The leaves are pinnatifid, 3-12 cm long and ash gray in color. The lower leaves form a loose rosette while cauline leaves are gradually reduced in size. The buds are long-pointed with few to many wavy hairs. Flowers are solitary in upper axils with the petals white and fading pink. Members in the genus Oenothera get their common name, evening-primrose, because the flowers are vespertine, that is they open in the late afternoon and bloom through the evening. The seed capsules are woody with an exfoliating epidermis. The seeds are narrowly obovoid, light brown in color usually with dark spots. This subspecies is found naturally only in sand dune areas of eastern Contra Costa County, California (01). Type specimens are found at the Herbarium, University of Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 California, Berkeley (01). The following is taken from the species Recovery Plan: "The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is a member of the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae) and the subgenus Anogra. Although there is a strong consensus today on the taxonomic status of the plant ..., this was not always the case. In 1925 Jepson described O. trichocalyx var. cognata, from Corral Hollow in Alameda County. Munz in 1931 placed a collection of Oenothera from the Antioch Dunes in Contra Costa County with O. deltoides var. cognata. This was a new varietal combination employing Jepson's earlier varietal epithet. Jepson (1936) later concurred that the material from Antioch was the same as that from Corral Hollow, but he did not accept Munz' specific epithet for the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose. "Alice Eastwood and John Thomas Howell collected the Oenothera from Antioch in 1936 and later Howell brought it to the attention of Munz. Munz concluded from observations of cultivated and field-collected specimens that the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose was indeed a distinct entity. He named the plant O. deltoides var. howellii in honor of Howell. Munz employed the pinnatifid leaves, long-pointed buds, and perennial habit to distinguish this evening-primrose from O. deltoides var. cognata. Later Klein (1962), after a biosystematic investigation of several entities of the subgenus Anogra, accorded the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose along with other taxa subspecific rank. Ultimately Munz (1965), in his monograph of the Onagraceae in the North American Flora Series, concurred with Klein's subspecific treatment of the plant. Furthermore, breeding studies by Klein (1970) substantiated that the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose has a strong affinity for the O. deltoides complex. Consequently O. deltoides subsp. howellii remains the most appropriate scientific epithet at this time for the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose .... "(04). Type specimen - 19 April 1936, Eastwood & Howell 2147:RSA; isotypes: CAS,POM. Other collections include: Antioch, C.F. Baker 2873 (POM), P.A. Munz 12201 (RAS), V Rattan in 1879 (DS) and K. Brandagee in 1892 (DS,UC) (07). Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status E: Federal Endangered COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose (Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii) 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 State of California. Critical Habitat has been designated in Contra Costa County, CA (50 CFR 17.96(a)) and is defined as an area of land, water and airspace in T2N R2E, SW 1/4 of Sec.17 and the E 2/3 of the S 1/2, Sec.18. 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. 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: California DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: California Department of Fish and Game STATE STATUTES: California Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game Code, Chapter 1.5, Article 1, Section 2050. The California Environmental Quality Act (PRC 2100 et seq.) recognizes Federally listed Threatened and Endangered species as among those species requiring that environmental impact assessments be made for actions that may detrimentally affect them. See: Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, California Administrative Code, Chapter 3, Section 15380. INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: None. Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 ECONOMIC STATUSES: In 1979 the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose was featured on a U.S. commemorative four-stamp series called "Endangered Flora". 76/06/16:41 FR 25423/25472 - Proposed rule, listing as Endangered 77/02/08:42 FR 07972/07975 - Proposed rule to designate CH 78/04/26:43 FR 17910/17916 - Listed as Endangered 78/08/31:43 FR 39042/39044 - Determination of Critical Habitat 83/12/08:48 FR 55100/55102 - Notice of five year review 85/07/22:50 FR 29900/29901 - Five year review completion Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL TERRESTRIAL LAND USE - Industrial Transportation, communications, and Util Orchards, Groves, Vineyards, Nurseries, Sandy Areas other than Beaches Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits Transitional Areas COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - The Antioch sand dunes comprised a unique ecological area from several standpoints, although they are now largely decimated by industrialization. Biologically Antioch Dunes was a kind of "island" that contained the northern extension of many plants and animals of desert affinities; a biogeographic element that probably extended along the western margin of the Central Valley in prehistoric times. Later natural processes reduced this biota to a few small islands of sand dunes, the largest of which was at Antioch. Although the dunes resemble coastal dunes, such as at Pt. Reyes, the plants and animals were quite different, being desert species. The long isolation from relatives in the Mojave resulted in considerable local differentiation, or endemism, with the occurrence of species or races peculiar to the one area (08). The dunes once encompassed about 500 acres with elevations to ca. 100 ft above sea level but were reduced to about 60 acres with elevations of ca. 30 ft above sea level. The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is associated with riverine sand dunes located on Brannon Island State Park, Sacramento River and along the San Joaquin River. Portions of the Antioch Dunes population are located on the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG & E) right-of-way adjacent to the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge and is managed by the Refuge. With establishment of the Antioch Dunes NWR, 55 acres of mined and unmined sand dune areas were set aside to protect this species. Average high temperatures in the area range from above 90 degrees F in July, August and September to the low-mid 50's in December and January. Average low temperatures range from the low 60's (degrees F) in July, August and September to the mid-upper 30's in December and January. In 1984 rainfall was less than nine inches for the calendar year with the greatest amount (3.80 inches) falling in November. Typically, the months of May through September are dry with little or no precipitation, while the "rainy season" runs from late October through March. The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose grows strictly in sandy soil (Oakley or Delhi sands) with various amounts of silt and/or clay mixed in. The soil types are classified as sand to sandy loam having a pH averaging 6.3 (range 5.6-7.0). Currently the evening-primrose is found where ground cover ranges from less than 5% to 100%. Seedling establishment appears best where ground cover is minimal. A particular slope or aspect does not seem to be a specific environmental paramenter required by this species. Currently, dune habitat is adjacent to a sewage treatment facility, old and ongoing sand quarrying areas, an old vineyard, the Domtar gypsum plant, the Atchison/Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad tracks, the Fulton shipyard road, and traversed by PG & E power links. Habitat Associations - 1
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - AUTOTROPH Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   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 Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands G G G G Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

HABIT: The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is an herb (01). LIFE CYCLE: Perennial (04). One of the characters employed to separate Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii from O. d. ssp. cognata is its genuine perennial habit. Differing opinions exist as to the longevity of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose. Munz in his descriptive article in 1949 stated that it was "apparently [a] short-lived perennial." Roof described the Oenothera as a biennial in cultivation. Seedlings after blooming their first spring, bloomed "profusely" the second year. Nonetheless, Roof noted that a few individuals flowered in later years, but these were "sickly and worthless as flowering specimens". Klein stated the perennial condition of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose was of adaptive significance. He postulated that the perennial habit was in response to "more mesic conditions." He further noted that the manner in which Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii perennated was quite distinctive from other members of the subgenus Anogra (04). TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Sexual (01). REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY: Little is known about the reproductive phenology of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose. Germination appears to occur from November to February. Budding begins in March and continues through May (peak). Flowering runs from April through June (peak). One individual plant was observed blooming to December. Fruiting occurs from May through July (peak). Fruit is dispersed beginning in June and runs through September (peak) (05). The evening-primrose is vespertine; the flowers open in early evening and close by mid-morning (04). SEX OR SPORE STATUS: Monoclinous (05). POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION: This Oenothera is self-incompatible and thus requires cross-pollination for sound seed. Numerous smooth buff- to black-colored seeds are produced in the capsule (04). Pollination is facilitated by insects, thought to be beetles and bees (Sphecodogastra aberrans). Hawk-moths were not known on the dunes until 1983 but have been reported as pollinators of other Oenothera. Their role in pollination has not been documented. A number of different insect species have been observed visiting the plant and leaving covered with pollen. Seed is disseminated by wind (05). Much information still needs to be gathered on dispersal mechanisms, patterns and distances. SEED BIOLOGY: No scientific studies have been carried out on this subject. Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 POPULATION BIOLOGY: No scientific studies have been carried out on this subject for this subspecies. In cultivation, seedlings of the evening-primrose develop vigorously the first spring to a foot or more in diameter. Although the plant may bloom the first year, it blooms more profusely the second year. The plants may grow to approximately three feet in diameter by the second year and can reach nearly 3 feet in height. After producing an abundance of seed capsules, most of the plants grown in cultivation die off during their second winter. However, the supspecies is best regarded as a perennial, albeit probably short-lived. The Oenothera seems to prefer growing in nearly pure sand and should be regarded as a psammophyte. Observations of cultivated plants suggest that seedlings of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose will not reach maturity where adult plants have recently matured and died. Fresh sand may be necessary for seedling re-establishment in such areas. It was speculated that the evening-primrose exhausted the nutrients within the soil where the preceding generation matured. However, other factors of cultivation, like watering regime, planting depth, allelopathy, and disease, might have led or contributed to the death of succeeding generations of cultivated Oenothera seedlings. Despite abundant seed production, few seedlings of Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis were seen on the Eureka Dunes. Germination of psammophytes may be dependent on the optimal coincidence of at least three factors: burial, moisture, and critical temperature regime. Antioch Dunes evening-primrose has been observed to produce numerous seedlings in recently disced areas. This might indicate that the seeds respond favorably to disturbance or burial and not necessarily the deposition of nutrient-laden fresh sand as postulated. Regardless, the data are weak on the population biology of Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii and further studies are needed for proper management of the dunes and the subspecies (04). ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS: Information about the species particular requirements are not known at this time. According to Atwater (02) the dunes were of aeolian origin from glacially derived sediments laid down during the late Pleistocene in the Sierra Nevada. Carpenter and Cosby (03) mapped this area as Oakley sands. Soil types at the refuge have been classified as ranging from sand to sandy-loam; pH averages 6.4 (range 5.6-7.0). Average high temperatures in the area range from above 90 degrees F in July, August and September to the mid 30's F in December and January. Typically, the months of May through September are dry, while the "rainy season" runs from late October through March. In 1984 rainfall was less than nine inches for the calendar year with the greatest amount (3.80 inches) falling in November. TROPHIC STATUS: Phototrophic (01). CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE: Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 Component (04). COMMUNITY ECOLOGY The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose generally is associated with early successional stages leading up to an oak woodland climax habitat. The associated plant community includes some of the following native species: Clarkia unguiculata, Eriogonum nudum, Eschscholzia californica, Gutierrezia divergens, Lotus scoparius, Lupinus albifrons, L. bicolor, and Senecio douglasii. Since acquisition of the land for a refuge, the area has had disturbances associated with fires, fire control, habitat management and unauthorized entry by people and their bicycles/motorcycles. Their disturbances obviously kill any plants growing in the area at the time of the disturbance, however, for the most part the endangered species do repopulate the area quickly if the disturbance is not too frequent or repeated. Some areas of the refuge are actively managed to be kept in early successional stages for the benefit of the Endangered species (04,05). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: Infestations of beetles (possibly Chrysomelid), which attach to leaves and flower buds, have been noted to reduce reproductive output. Beetles feed on petals, pollen, and seed capsules. This may need further investigation as the beetles may be a serious pest. The evening-primrose is probably pollinated by bees (Sphecodogastra aberrans), beetles, and/or hawkmoths. OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii has extensive fleshy roots which penetrate to considerable depths into the sand and buds located near the crown in contrast to the creeping horizontal stems of O. avita ssp. avita and O. a. ssp. eurekensis (04). Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                       Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                Species Id ESIS701019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Suppressing wildfire Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Land Acquisition Beneficial Reforestation Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds Adverse Off Road Vehicles Existing Off Road Vehicles Adverse Hiking/Camping Existing Hiking/Camping Adverse Predation Existing Predation Adverse Surface Mines Existing Surface Mines Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas Adverse Transmission Lines/Towers Existing Transmission Lines/Towers Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Adverse Competition Existing Competition Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Adverse Existing Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes Existing Vegetation Composition Changes Adverse Suppressing wildfire Existing Suppressing wildfire COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is endemic to the Antioch Dunes, which once extended for about 3 miles parallel to the Sacramento - San Joaquin Rivers. Remnants of the dunes and the evening-primrose itself now are limited to an area of no more than 60 acres. Loss of habitat, primarily through sand mining, was a key factor contributing to its decline. Industrial development, periodic discing for fire control, hiking, and off-road vehicle use also have had an adverse affect on the habitat. Of these impacts on habitat only fuelbreak discing remains a threat both directly as well as indirectly by increasing the weed species. Predation by beetles (possibly Chrysomelids) upon petals, pollen, and seed capsules has been reported Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 as a serious threat to the species (04). An increase in the number of weeds, by invasion of exotic grasses, also has stabilized some dune slopes, and competitively reduced the amount of area available to the evening-primrose for colonization. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG & E) maintains transmission lines on two parcels that it owns. Routine maintenance procedures generally cause little damage to the habitat, but downed power lines and their repair have caused several fires and the destruction of the native vegetation by heavy equipment (09,10). A vineyard, established over 100 years ago, also contributed to habitat loss. With the establishment of the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, 55 acres of mined and unmined sand dune areas were set aside to protect this species, two other listed Endangered species, a number of species that are candidates for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act, and the State-listed California legless lizard. Not all the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose plants are located on refuge lands. One large stand of evening-primrose is found on a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG & E) right-of-way parcel adjacent to the refuge. However, this and other PG & E right-of-way parcels are being managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under a cooperative agreement. An introduced population of Antioch Dune evening-primrose is found in Brannon Island State Park, approximately ten miles upstream on the Sacramento River (04,05). APPROVED PLAN: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Revised Recovery Plan for Three Endangered Species Endemic to the Antioch Dunes, California. Approved: March 21, 1980 and Revised: April 25, 1984. U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Portland, OR. 66 pp. The Recovery plan for the Antioch Dunes ecosystem recommends: 1. Protect the Antioch Dunes ecosystem by: A. Developing protective alternatives and actions in a management plan for refuge land and implementing the management plan. The management plan should include maintenance of habitats (protection from development such as mining), control or management of public use (off-road vehicles and human access to important habitats), and measures to control or manage fuelbreaks and other fire control activities; B. Developing protective alternatives and actions with private land owners by developing MOU with landowner of essential habitat; and C. Identifying other essential habitat for protection. 2. Restoring the Antioch Dunes ecosystem, increasing populations of plants and improving habitat by: A. Conducting annual census of population and monitoring habitat; B. Propagating plants and outplant (if necessary); and Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES Species Id ESIS701019 Date 13 MAR 96 C. Developing and implementing a habitat restoration plan based on complete life-history studies (repoduction history and autecological studies). (Although not specified in the recovery plan, transplanting wild seed to restored dune habitat is recommended.) 3. Rebuilding the natural dune substrate and topography to the degree feasible using sandy dredge spoils. Reduction of impacts on candidate species and other listed species which may be affected by spoils must be considered. Monitoring of site renovation will be necessary. 4. Reducing or eliminating exotic vegetation. 5. Initiating an information and education program such as A. Erecting interpretive signs; B. Printing and distributing leaflets explaining the need for the refuge and restoration of the dune ecosystem; and C. Developing an environmental education program. Essential habitat has been protected through acquisition of key lands into the National Wildlife Refuge System. The dune's ecosystem is being restored to improve habitat and increase populations of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose, and wild seed has been transplanted to some restoed sites. Management Practices - 3
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                         Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, ANTIOCH DUNES
                                  Species Id ESIS701019
                                      Date 13 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 Munz, Philip A. 1968. A California flora and supplement. University of Calif. Press, Berkeley. 1925 pp. 02 Atwater, Brian F. 1982. Geologic factors in the prehistoric establishment of organisms endemic to aeolian dunes near Antioch, CA. Memo prepared for USFWS. 6 pp. 03 Carpenter, E.J. and S.W. Cosby. 1939. Soil Survey, Contra Costa County, California. USDA, Bureau of Chemistry and Soils. 04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Revised Recovery Plan for Three Endangered Species Endemic to Antioch Dunes, California. Approved: March 21, 1980 and Revised: April 25, 1984. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 66 pp. 05 Robinson, Lee. 1985. Personal observation. 19046 Mayberry Drive, Castro Valley, CA 94546. 06 Nichaus, Theodore. 1977. Rare plant status report. Calif. Nat. Plant Soc. Unpulished report on file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Washington, D.C. 07 Munz, P.A. 1949. California misscellany - I. Aliso 2:81-83. 08 Powell, J.A. and R.A. Arnold. 1977. Status of certain insect and plant survivors of the Antioch sand dunes. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Washington, D.C. 3 pp. 09 Arnold, R.A. 1984. Monitoring of the endangered Lange's metalmark butterfly in 1983 at the Antioch Dunes. Annual Rept. to San Francisco Bay NWR. 10 Arnold, R.A. 1985. Ecological studies of the endangered Lange's metalmark butterfly at the Antioch Dunes. Annual Rept. to San Francisco Bay NWR. ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Revised Recovery Plan for Three Endangered Species Endemic to Antioch Dunes, California. Approved: March 21, 1980 and Revised: April 25, 1984. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 66 pp. References - 1