(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
OTHER COMMON NAMES - EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY;EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA DUNES; PRIMROSE and EUREKA
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 - AVITA, SSP.
SCIENTIFIC NAME - OENOTHERA AVITA SSP.
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Eureka Valley Evening-primrose
Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis (Munz & Roos) W. Klein
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Myrtales FAMILY: Onagraceae
A suffrutescent perennial herb, stems and herbage white-storage
and +/- spreading-villous (03,08,09). Stems arising from deep-seated,
fleshy underground parts. Much of the year in a rosette stage; leaves
crowded, deltoid-ovate 1-3.5 cm long. In spring (with sufficient
moisture) plants bolt producing often rather bushy stems 3-6 cm tall
(up to 1 m). Flowers solitary in the axils of leaves from the base of
the stem upwards; large, conspicuous, vespertine, perfect. Sepals 4,
recurved at anthesis. Petals 4, white, 1.5-2.5 cm long, aging to
reddish. Stamens 8. Stigma with 4 linear lobes. Ovary inferior,
narrow cylindric with prolonged floral tube. Fruit a dehiscent
capsule 2.5-3 cm long. In summer, after seed set, all leaves fall and
new rosettes formed at the tips of the old fruiting shoots; sand
burial often then returns the plant to a rosette stage (03,09,10).
The first material from Eureka Dunes was assigned to the
Oenothera deltoides complex as subspecies eurekensis (09,10). Its
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
distinguishing features within this taxon were its perennial,
suffrutescent habit and densely villous herbage. Later, Klein allied
the subspecies with Oenothera california (07) on the basis of its
tendency to perenniate from underground rootstocks and its non-woody
fruit capsules (10). Still later Klein placed it in a new species
complex, Oe. avita of eastern California and western Arizona (08,10).
This is the most current treatment and is supported by karyological
data (Oe. avita with n=7, Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis with n=7, whereas
Oe. californica is n=14) (08,10).
Scientific names associated with this subspecies are: Oenothera
deltoides ssp. eurekensis, Oe. californica ssp. eurekensis, and
Oe. avita ssp. eurekensis (07,08,09). Common names associated with
the subspecies are: Eureka Valley evening-primrose, Eureka Dunes
evening-primrose, and the Eureka Primrose.
Type specimens: Munz & Roos 20, 158, 18 Sept. 1954 (RSA;
isotypes: CAS, DS, UC) (03). Illustrations are included in the
following references: 02,03,05,09, and 10.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Eureka Valley evening-primrose (Oenothera avita ssp.
eurekensis) has been designated Endangered 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 subspecies has this status
wherever found including the State of California.
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).
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to possess
any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) within U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C.
7); or to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or
purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wild plant (including
roots, seeds, and other parts) taken, possessed, transported, or sold
in violation of any State law or regulation. It is also unlawful to
import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any
wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) taken or
possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in
violation of Indian tribal law.
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.
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
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: California Dept. of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: California Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game
Code Chapt. 1.5, Art. 1, Sec. 2050.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
78/04/26:43 FR 17910/17916 - Listed as Endangered, no Crit. Hab.
83/12/08:48 FR 55100/55102 - Notice of 5 year review
85/07/22:50 FR 29900/29901 - Notice of 5 year review
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25525 - Notice of 5 year review completion
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Sandy Areas other than Beaches
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis occurs from about 2900 to 4000
feet elevation, only in the southern Eureka Valley on very sandy
habitats associated with arid desert sand dune systems. It occurs on
the lower slopes of large active, but relatively stable, dunes
(described variously as a longitudinal system or as transverse dunes
with a sand mountain) (01,12), and it occurs on the obstacle type of
dune system where the sand covers the spur ridges of the Saline Range
(01,12). All these habitats have deep sand substrate.
Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis does not occur on the mostly unstable
upper slopes of the Eureka Dunes. Here, only Swallenia and Dicoria
are found. It occurs on the lower dunes on slopes of 5-25 degrees
that are mostly stable (10). The satellite dune areas, where Oe. a.
ssp. eurekensis occurs west of the Eureka Dunes, are of moderate to
gentle slope and mostly stable (01). Here, Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis
also occurs well out onto sandy bajada slopes.
Soils of the Eureka Dunes are alkaline (pH ranging from 8.1 to
9.3), non-saline, non-sodic, and very low in nitrogen (less than 0.06
ppm) (10). No data is available for the soils in the satellite dune
areas.
Little climatological data has ever been reported for the Eureka
Valley (01,10,12). Summers are quite hot with daily temperatures
commonly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) in June, July and
August. Winters are cool, daytime maximum temperatures are probably
always above freezing, while night temperatures commonly drop below
freezing from November to February (01,10,12). Average annual
precipitation is probably about 115 mm (4.5 in) (10). Most of the
precipitation usually falls in the cool part of the year, from
November through March. Summer thunderstorms generally occurring in
July and August may in some years account for a significant proportion
of the years total precipitation (01,10,12).
It is thought that the dunes act as an aquifer, providing the
dune system with an above average supply of available soil moisture
(10,12).
Vegetation on the dunes where Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis occurs is
very sparse and consists of few species. On the lower and more stable
dune slopes, Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis is associated with Swallenia,
Dicoria, Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans, Tiquilia plicata,
Oryzopsis hymenoides and a few other species (01,02,05,10,12).
Surrounding the dunes are Creosote Bush Scrub and Allscale-Alkali
Scrub (02,10,12).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
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
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The Eureka Valley evening-primrose is an herb (02,03,05,07,08,09,
10,12).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (02,03,05,07,08,09,10,12).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual and vegetative (10,11). Oe. avita ssp. eurekensis may be
capable of producing independent ramets from the rosettes that form on
the floral axis or on the creeping underground rootstocks. The
demographic significance of this is unknown (10,11).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination occurs from November to December. Stem and leaf
growth begins in April. From late April through early July, budding
and flowering occurs. Fruit is produced from May to early July. Seed
dispersal begins from June to July (01,05,10).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (07,08,09,10,11).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Little or nothing is known about the biology of the pollinating
insect for Oenothera, hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of the genus Celerio
(10,11). Flowers produced by late May and early June have a high
probability of being visited by pollinators carrying compatible pollen
(11). Seed dissemination is due to the wind (10,11).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Pavlik reports an apparent high viability of seed (90 percent),
but low percent germination (10). At constant temperatures Oe. a.
ssp. eurekensis exhibited a rather narrow optimum at 20 degrees
Celsius, but with only 49 percent germination after 12 days;
thermo-periodic alterations increased this greatly, peak germination
occurred with both 5 and 10 degree alterations and was 32 percent
greater than at the optimal constant temperature (10).
Annual seed production is quite high, Pavlik and Barbour
estimate annual seed production as about 600-700 seeds per cubic dm of
canopy volume (11). This compares favorably with that of other
related species (11). Estimates of seed rain were also quite high,
21,317 seeds/sq. m/year (11). Supplements of water and nitrogen in
field experiments produced no significant effect on seed production
(11). Pollination factors appear to be the most critical in reducing
seed production relative to the maximum reproductive potential (11).
Nothing is known of seed longevity and dormancy requirements.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
In general, little is known about the population biology of sand
dune plants in North America (11). Little is known about Oe. a. ssp.
eurekensis in particular. Two studies have recently begun (01,11).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
Results of Pavlik's studies on survival/mortality rates, density and
population trends have not been published yet, although results of
studies of seed dispersal and effects of herbivores are available
(11). Studies by Bagley produced data on population density and cover
but information on population trends awaits further work (01). At the
north end of the Eureka Dunes measured stands of Oe. a. ssp.
eurekensis range from 0 to 1010 mature plants per hectare
(avg.=373/ha) with a cover of 0.3 to 0.002 percent (avg.=0.09 percent)
(01). The percentage of the population in the mature age class ranged
from 29 to 69 percent (avg.=50 percent) (01).
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
The Eureka Valley evening-primrose occurs only on sand dunes.
Soils are psamment Entisols. Detailed data is available only for the
Eureka Dunes. The Dune sands are dominated by quartz grains with some
finer, dark, heavy materials of magnetite, hornblend, augite, and
olivine (10,12). Grains tend to be coarse and poorly sorted on the
low northern and southern toes of the dunes, but are finer and well
sorted with elevation (10,12). Mean grain size of 0.30 mm is
considerably larger than in the other desert dunes on Inyo County
(10).
Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis occurs in an arid climate, average annual
precipitation is probably about 115 mm (4.5 in) (10). The dune system
appears to act as an aquifer, providing an above average supply of
available soil moisture (10,12).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (10).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (01,05,10,12).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Vegetation on the dunes where Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis occurs is
very sparse and consists of few species. On the lower and more stable
dune slopes, Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis is associated with Swallenia,
Dicoria canescens, Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans, Tiquilia
plicata, Oryzopsis hymenoides and a few other species (01,02,05,10,
12). Surrounding the dunes are Creosote Bush Scrub and
Allscale-Alkali Scrub (02,10,12).
Nothing is known about community stability and successional
trends.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Hiking/Camping
Existing Hiking/Camping
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
During the 1960's the high slopes of the Eureka Dunes began
attracting off road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts. Because the access
road reaches the dunes at their northern end, most ORV activity
centered there or nearby (05). This northern end of the dunes is also
where the populations of Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis (Eureka
Valley evening-primrose) are best developed (01,05,12). ORV use
increased fairly rapidly through the mid-1970's on the Eureka Dunes
(05) as it did throughout much of California's desert regions. During
this time such ORV activity was unrestricted and constituted a serious
threat to the plants and animals of the Eureka Dunes ecosystem
(03,05,13). Oe. a. ssp. eurekensis plants were run over and crushed
as the lower dune slopes and sandy borders were used heavily for
vehicle staging and camping areas and as vehicles moved from one area
of the dunes to another. A serious possibility was that increasing
impact could effect sand strength and result in increased wind erosion
with unknown consequences (03,10) - possibly changing the character of
the dunes.
This serious ORV impact to the plants and to their habitat was of
special concern because of the very restricted distribution of this
subspecies and the relatively small known population. Little is known
of the genetic diversity within this rare subspecies, possibly a low
gene pool may already exist. The population biology of Oe. a. ssp.
eurekensis remains virtually unknown (10).
In the fall of 1976 the dunes were closed to ORV use (03,05,10,
12). Since that official closure, vehicle trespasses have occurred on
a regular basis with some major violations occurring in 1978 and 1979
(02,04,05,06,12). Apparently in the 1980's enforcement has been more
evident and only sporadic ORV activity has taken place (05,12).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. Eureka Valley Dunes Recovery
Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 80 pp.
In order for the Eureka Valley evening-primrose to survive and
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
flourish, threatening impacts such as detrimental and indiscriminate
ORV use and excessive human intrusion into the dune habitat, must be
reduced, and, if possible, eliminated. Protection and management of
the Eureka Dunes is therefore imperative.
Closure of Eureka Dunes to all ORV use must be maintained and
enforced. Clear communication of legal restrictions, accompanied by
adequate enforcement, will greatly assist in the recovery of this
species. Restrictions should include confining all vehicles to
designated roads, and prohibiting camping on dune slopes and borders.
Research on the Eureka Valley evening-primrose and dune area
should be encouraged to further protect this species.
The dunes were closed to all ORV activities in 1976. Since the
closure, seedlings have appeared in ecologically damaged areas. Signs
have been erected, and law enforcement patrols have been initiated.
It has not been considered necessary to transplant or seed areas
or otherwise supplement the natural reproductive processes at this
time.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Bagley, M. 1986. Baseline data for a sensitive plant monitoring
study on the Eureka Valley Dunes, Inyo County, California. Bur. of
Land Mgmt, Riverside, CA, BLM Contract No. CA-065-R04-61. 104 pp.
02 DeDecker, M. 1976. The Eureka Dunes. Fremontia 3:17-20.
03 DeDecker, M. 1977. California Native Plant Society Rare Plant
Status Report: Oenothera avita ssp. eurekensis. CA Native Plant
Soc., Sacramento, CA. 4 pp.
04 DeDecker, M. 1979. Can BLM protect the dunes? Fremontia 7:6-8.
05 DeDecker, M. 1982. Eureka Valley Dunes recovery plan. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 80 pp.
06 Henry, M.A. 1979. A rare grass on the Eureka Dunes. Fremontia
7:3-6.
07 Klein, W.M. 1962. New taxa and recombinations in Oenothera
(Anogra). Aliso 5:179-180.
08 Klein, W.M. 1965. In treatment of Onagraceae by P.A. Munz for N.
Amer. Flora, ser. 2, pt. 5:1-231 (see p. 116).
09 Munz, P.A. and J.C. Roos. 1955. California miscellany--III.
Aliso 3:118-119.
10 Pavlik, B.M. 1979. The biology of endemic psammophytes, Eureka
Valley, California, and its relation to off-road vehicle impact.
CA Desert Plan, BLM Contract No. CA-060-CT8-000049. 110 pp.
11 Pavlik, B.M. and M.G. Barbour. 1985. Demography of endemic
psammophytes, Eureka Valley, California, I. Seed production,
dispersal and herbivory. CA Fish and Game, Endangered Plant Prog.,
Sacramento. 77 pp.
12 Rowlands, P.G. 1982. Physical and biotic attributes of the Eureka
Dunes Region, Eureka Valley, California. Unpubl. rept. submitted
to BLM, CA Desert Dist. Library, Riverside, CA.
13 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1978. Determination that various
plant taxa are endangered or threatened species. Fed. Reg. 43(81):
17910-17916.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Bagley, M. 1986. Baseline data for a sensitive plant monitoring
study on the Eureka Valley Dunes, Inyo County, California. U.S.
Bur. of Land Mgmt., Riverside, CA, BLM Contract No. CA-065-R04-61.
104 pp.
02 Bagley, M. 1986. Unpublished field notes from May 29-30 survey of
Marble Canyon Dunes and Saline Spur Dunes, Eureka Valley, CA., U.S.
Bur. of Land Mgmt., Riverside, CA.
03 DeDecker, M. 1982. Eureka Valley Dunes recovery plan. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 80 pp.
04 Pavlik, B.M. 1979. The biology of endemic psammophytes, Eureka
Valley, California, and its relation to off-road vehicle impact.
CA Desert Plan, BLM Contract No. CA-060-CT8-000049. 110 pp.
05 Rowlands, P.G. 1982. Physical and biotic attributes of the Eureka
Dunes region, Eureka Valley, California. Unpubl. rept. submitted
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species EVENING-PRIMROSE, EUREKA VALLEY
Species Id ESIS701024
Date 13 MAR 96
to BLM, CA Desert Dist. Library, Riverside.
References - 2