(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND; BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE;BROOM and ISLAND
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - FABALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FABACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - LOTUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - DENDROIDEUS, SSP.
SCIENTIFIC NAME - LOTUS DENDROIDEUS SSP.
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
San Clemente Island Broom
Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae (Eastw. ex Noddin) Isely
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Fabales FAMILY: Fabaceae
Originally described as Syrmatium traskiae, Eastw. (Abrams 01),
this San Clemente Island endemic legume is very distinctive due to its
meter height, dark green foliage and long, light-brown legumes. The
name was transferred as a variety of Lotus scoparius by Ottley (02)
and later as a subspecies by Raven (03). Isely (04) elevated another
Channel Islands endemic, Lotus scoparius var. dendroideus to species,
requiring a restructuring of Channel Island material in the scoparius
group. The combination proposed by Isely was a variety, not a
subspecies as erroneously cited in the Federal Register (05). Kartesz
and Kartesz (12) list Lotus scoparius var. dendroideus and Hosackia
dendroidea as synonyms. Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae may also be
known as the San Clemente broom (15) or island broom (13).
The other perennial Lotus on San Clemente Island hybridizes with
L. d. traskiae in disturbed areas of sympatry (10). Dunkle's (06)
assessment and assignment of variety of this other Lotus (i.e., Lotus
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
argophyllus argenteus, L. a. adsurgens, L. a. ornithopus, and L. a.
hancockii) may be due to the effects of past hybridizations.
The type specimen of Lotus dendroideus var. traskiae is reported
to be at the U.S. National Herbarium by Raven (03). Descriptions of
the plant occur in Munz (08,09) and Abrams (01,07).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The San Clemente Island broom (Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae)
has been designated as 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. Critical Habitat has not been
designated.
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.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense 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 BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: California Department of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: California Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game
Code, Ch. 1.5, Art. 1, Sec. 2050; Calif. Native
Plant Protection Act.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Acceptance of Smithsonian report
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed rule, list as Endangered
77/08/11:42 FR 40682/40685 - Final rule, listed as Endangered
82/09/27:47 FR 42387/42388 - Five-year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Mixed Rangeland
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The San Clemente Island broom, Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae,
occurs in shrublands and disturbed grasslands as part of the Maritime
Sage Scrub community of San Clemente Island, California. It readily
occupies disturbed sites (10). Generally, it occurs below 1000 feet
in elevation on rocky sites which, presumably, are well-drained yet
have prolonged soil moisture availability. These soils are assigned
to the Ustert and Ustalfs soil types (11). It is scattered
infrequently about the island on open and rocky slopes, protected
cliffs and rock outcrops.
The plants occur in open areas and generally overtop any
associated plants, such as Opuntia or Calystegia. A majority of the
plant's colonies occur on the east slope of the island where, due to
wind flows and associated cloud cover and isolation, more humidity is
probably available (10).
Some individuals of L. dendroideus ssp. traskiae occur in close
proximity to buildings, roads and pipelines.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
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 Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G Human Association: Abandoned buildings
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The San Clemente Island broom, Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae,
is a shrub (07,08,09).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (07,08,09,10).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
This shrub reproduces sexually (10).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Little is known of the San Clemente Island broom's reproductive
phenology. Anthesis occurs from March through June (07).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (07,08,09,10).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollen disseminating agents are unknown for this plant. Seeds
are released by an explosive-type dispersal typical of dehiscent
legumes (10).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Cultivation of this taxon in nursery conditions revealed that
sandpaper scarification aided germination (10). No other information
on the seed biology of this variety is known.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Mature plants are known to die but their age is not known,
possibly 15 to 20 years. No seedlings have been observed in the wild,
but a range of shrub sizes does occur in the Wilson Cove Canyon
population.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Generally, Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae occurs below 1000 feet
in elevation on rocky sites which, presumably, are well-drained yet
have prolonged soil moisture availability. These soils are assigned
to the Ustert and Ustalfs soil types (11).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (09,10).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The shrub occurs with Senecio lyonii, Lycium californicum,
Opuntia prolifera, Opuntia littoralis, Calystegia macrostegia,
Artemisia californica, and Artemisia nesiotica. In limited area,
usually on rock outcrops, the plant is the dominant. Throughout its
range it is somewhat more colonial rather than being distributed as an
element of the shrublands, and so may be considered subdominant (10).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae is a short-lived plant, i.e., 10
to 20 years, and is in the Maritime Sage Scrub community. It readily
occupies disturbed sites and hybridizes when sympatric with Lotus
argophyllus ssp. The habitat of most colonies is rock outcrops or
sites with rocks near the surface. The plant generally occurs below
1000 feet elevation with some exceptions. No sites have been observed
after burnings (10).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Aside from the usually expected nitrogen fixing situation in
legumes, no species interrelationships are known.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No additional information is known.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Adverse Artillery/Explosions
Existing Artillery/Explosions
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
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 Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Fire
Existing Fire
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The San Clemente Island broom, Lotus dendroideus ssp. traskiae,
is scattered infrequently about San Clemente Island on open and rocky
slopes. In areas where goats were active in the past this shrub is
restricted to protected cliffs or rock outcrops. In areas where human
habitation precluded grazing by goats (e.g., at Wilson Cove) the
shrub occurs in accessible sites. This indicates that goats have been
the principal mode of destruction. Fire is also a threat, either due
to ignition by ordnance explosions or prescribed burning by Fire
Station crews. No evidence of enhanced germination following fire is
known, although in cultivation, scarification with sandpaper enhances
germination and suggests that light fire may be beneficial. The
stands of this shrub about Wilson Cove are experiencing a die-out
which appears to be due to senescence, a situation similar to the
mainland counterpart, which is a successional species after fire in
scrublands. Hibridizatin with any other Lotus species on the island
is and has been a threat (14,10).
Public works activities at Wilson Cove have also destroyed shrubs
of this taxon. Close proximity to buildings, roads and pipelines in
this area suggest that this will be a continuing issue. Incomplete
erradication of feral goats, and perhaps pigs, from San Clemente
Island will retain this threat to the taxon's existence (14).
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for Endangered
and Threatened Species of the California Channel Islands. U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 165 pp.
The primary objective of the recovery plan is to restore
endangered/threatened species to non-listed status by restoring and
protecting habitat that can support viable self-sustaining
populations; the size and extent of the populations necessary for
recovery need to be determined.
Actions recommended for recovery include:
1. Habitat restoration consisting of revegetation with native
non-sensitive plant taxa, erosion control (including the
construction of check-dams), and removal of exotic and/or feral
animals such as goats and exotic plant species also.
2. Implementation of management. Recommendations consist of
re-introducing plants from wild stock into areas from which they
were extirpated, cultivating plants in nurseries before
transplanting them into the wild, and identification of areas for
specific plantings.
3. Habitat protection, promulgation and enforcement of naval
regulations pertaining to the islands, preventing the
introduction of exotic organisms, and fencing of vulnerable
areas.
4. Determining species requirements. Requirements of the species'
to survive and flourish need to be determined by completing
phenological studies, mapping plant communities, and studying
effects of fire.
Cooperative agreements are being developed between the Navy and
Fish and Wildlife Service, and research and surveys are being
conducted.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Abrams, L. 1917. Flora of Los Angeles: 201. Times-Mirror
Publishing, Los Angeles.
02 Ottley, A. 1923. Revision of Californian Lotus. Univ. Calif.
Publ. Bot. 10:229.
03 Raven, P.H. 1963. A flora of San Clemente Island, California.
Aliso 5(3):326-327.
04 Isely. 1978. New varieties and combinations in Lotus, Baptisia,
Thermopsis and Sophora (Leguminosae). Brittonia 30(4):467.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 11, 1977. Endangered and
threatened wildlife and plants; determination that seven
California Channel Island animals and plants are either endangered
species or threatened species. Fed. Reg. 42:40685.
06 Dunkle, M.B. 1950. Plant ecology of the Channel Islands of
California. Allan Hancock Pac. Exp. 13(3):301.
07 Abrams, L. and R.S. Ferris. 1944. Illustrated flora of the
Pacific states. Vol. II. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA.
Pages 538-552.
08 Munz, P.A. 1959. A flora of California. Univ. of Calif. Press,
Berkeley.
09 Munz, P.A. 1974. A flora of southern California. Univ. of Calif.
Press, Berkeley. 1086 pp.
10 Beauchamp, R. Mitchel. [n.d.] Field, mainland and island nursery
observations, 1967 to 1986. Pacific Southwest Biol. Serv.,
National City, CA 92050.
11 U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. [n.d.] Soil survey of Channel Islands
area. San Clemente Island part, Interim Rep. Soil Conserv. Serv.
12 Kartesz, J.T. and R. Kartesz. 1980. A synonymized checklist of
the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland.
Vol. II: The biota of North America. Univ. NC Press, Chapel Hill.
498 pp.
13 Abrams, L. 1951. Illustrated flora of the Pacific states:
Washington, Oregon, and California: Vol. II, Polygonaceae to
Krameriaceae. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. 135 pp.
14 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for
Endangered and Threatened Species of the California Channel
Islands. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 165 pp.
15 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. June 16,1976. Endangered and
threatened wildlife and plants; proposed endangered status for
some 1700 U.S. vascular plant taxa. Fed. Reg. 41:24523-24572.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Beauchamp, R. Mitchel. [n.d.] Field surveys on San Clemente
Island since 1967. On file: Pacific Southwest Biol. Serv.,
National City, CA 92050.
02 Mills, James. [n.d.] Field surveys on San Clemente Island during
1985 and 1986. On file: North Island Naval Air Station, National
City, CA 92050.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species BROOM, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND
Species Id ESIS701027
Date 13 MAR 96
03 Raven, P.H. 1963. A flora of San Clemente Island, California.
Aliso 5(3):289-347.
References - 2