(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED;BIRD'S-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED; BIRD'S-BEAK, FERRIS'; BIRD'S-BEAK and FLESHY
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SCROPHULARIALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - SCROPHULARIACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - CORDYLANTHUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - PALMATUS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - CORDYLANTHUS PALMATUS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Palmate-bracted birds-beak
Cordylanthus palmatus (Ferris) Machr.
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Scrophulariales FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae
Cordylanthus palmatus is a low, much branched annual, 1 to 3 dm
high, with yellow roots. The herbage is pale or grayish green, pilose
or pubescent, with some of the hairs gland-tipped, the longest hairs
less than 1 mm long. Salt crystals may be evident over much of the
plant's surface. The leaves are 1-2 cm long, oblong-oblanceolate,
mostly incised, the lower sometimes entire. The inflorescence
consists of dense spikes 5 to 15 cm long. The bracts are ovate, with
2 to 3 pairs of ascending lobes radiating from the basal portion; the
calyx is 12-15 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, entire or bidentate with
teeth about 1 mm long. The purplish (or creamy with purplish veins)
corolla is 12-16 mm long (01) (1.5-2 cm long in (02)), bilabiate, with
a basal tube and an inflated pouch, its lower lip finely pubescent,
the finely reflexed-pubescent galea with a wide glabrous thin margin.
Two functional stamens, an upper pair lacking or reduced to
rudimentary filaments; the capsule 6-7 mm long, with 14-18 brownish
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
seeds with conspicuously and deeply reticulate seed coat and
prominently undulating crest. (01 and 02; some difference exists
between descriptions by these two sources, although Dr. Larry Heckard,
an authority on the genus, states these differences are not
significant (03)).
C. palmatus can be confused with Cordylanthus maritimus ssp.
mollis, and these two sometimes grow together (03). The length of the
pubescence is an important characteristic, as well as the palmate
character of the floral bracts (01,02,03).
The Scaramento Valley form of this taxon was originally named
Adenostegia palmata by Ferris in 1918 (04), but the contents of this
genus were soon placed in the conserved generic name Cordylanthus by
Macbride in 1919 (05). The San Joaquin Valley form was described as
C. carnulosus by Pennell in 1947 (06); this taxon was treated as a
variety under C. palmatus by Munz in 1958 (07). Mason in his 1957
treatment of marsh plants (08) treated C. palmatus as an
indistinguishable part of C. mollis. In a 1973 paper, Chuang and
Heckard demonstrated that the chromosome number (n=21) was distinctive
for C. palmatus within the genus, and that the differences between the
two forms, C. palmatus and C. carnulosus were not sufficiently
important to warrant intraspecific separation of the two forms
(09,10).
Other vernacular synonyms include: Ferris' birds-beak (11), and,
for the San Joaquin Valley form, fleshy bird's-beak (09).
The type specimen for C. palmatus was collected by R. Stinchfield
(later R. S. Ferris) near College City and was reposited in the Dudley
Herbarium, now maintained at the California Academy of Sciences,
San Francisco. Isotypes are reposited at Philadelphia Herbarium, the
Univeristy of California, and the US Herbarium (02). Type specimens
of C. carnulosus are reposited at the California Academy of Sciences,
the Jepson Herbarium, the University of California Herbarium, and
Philadelphia Herbarium (02). Other specimens are kept at the Fresno
State Herbarium (01).
Drawings of the plant may be found in Abrams (09), and Chuang and
Heckard (10). Color slides are available through the California
Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Palmate-bracted birds-beak (Cordylanthus palmatus) 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.
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 species 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.
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: Calif. Department of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: Calif. Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game Code
Chapter 1.5, Article 1, Sect. 2050
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
85/07/15:50 FR 28870/ - Proposed rule, List as Endangered
85/10/24:50 FR 43260/ - Notice of public hearing/comment period
86/07/01:51 FR 23765/23769 - Final rule, Listed as Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Herbaceous Rangeland
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Nonforested Wetland
Dry Salt Flats
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Palustrine FL6
Palustrine FL5
Palustrine FL
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Cordylanthus palmatus grows in saline-alkaline soils of lowland
flats and plains (03), often in overflow lands which flood
intermittently during the winter rainy season (01). The plant
community where C. palmatus grows is alkaline scrub, allenrolfea
scrub, and vally bottmland scrub. The characteristic aspect of
vegetation is very sparse in this uninviting habitat.
Soil series, appearance and texture. The soils at two sites have
been reported as Pescadero clays and Solano fine sandy loams (19,20).
In some reports, a white, powdery residue has been observed on the
soil surface during the dry period (15); this is reported as being
sodium bicarbonate (03). Although Solano fine sandy loams appear
considerably less fine-textured than Pescadero clays, both have a
dense clay subsoil which retard both infiltration, percolation, and
groundwater movement (14). Both soil types are characterized as
saline or saline-alkaline (20); however, since C. palmatus appears to
occupy only the most extreme sites, this characterization is
consistent with Heckard's description of habitat (10).
Soil chemistry: The soil series at one Mendota site was reported by
Heckard as being black-alkali, meaning they are saline-alkaline; they
had a pH of 8-9 (10). In this same report (10), Heckard suggests that
C. palmatus may grow on saline-alkaline soils rather than on strictly
saline soils. Nonsaline alkali soils also occur in general areas
where C. palmatus has been collected; these areas may also contain
saline-alkali soils. Dr. Heckard believes that this species, while
occurring in soils with high levels of dissolved salts, may require
the inundation and flushing associated with periodic stream overflow
during the winter months to reduce salinity and thereby stimulate
germination (Heckard pers comm). The plant apparently can tolerate
higher concentrations of dissolved solids at later periods in its life
cycle.
Microhabitat: Various microhabitats have been reported for
C. palmatus; however, an understanding of the hydrology of the various
sites may help to create a more unified picture of its requirements
(see hydrology section). Heckard (03) has observed the plant growing
in the lowest part of roadsides; Taylor (16) reported it growing on
the dirt thrown up on a roadside as result of grading operations.
Habitat Associations - 1 The plant may be seen at the edges of shallow drainages at the
Livermore site, as well as at the edges of scalds on higher ground
(23). In all cases, the plant grows in largely barren areas, with few
plant associates, and in areas of the most extreme salinity and
alkalinity. As will be discussed in the life history section, the
areas where C. palmatus occurs are probably saturated for periods of
time during the winter season; this may be a requirement for
germination (03).
Hydrology: The hydrologic requirements of C. palmatus are imperfectly
known, at least to the extent required to alter land use nearby with
some assurance that habitat for this species could be preserved (21).
However, the following may be speculated about the requirements of
this species, with respect to water and dissolved solids: Both
surface and subsurface movement are important to the habitat
characteristics. As ponded water evaporates dissolved solids are
collected, contributing to the salinity and alkalinity of the soils.
If infiltration exceeds evaporation, dissolved solids may collect in
basins (such as low points along roadsides). Where infiltration is
very slow and water is ponded, evaporation may take place directly
from ponded areas, and water may move up into hummocks through
capillary action, allowing saline or alkaline deposits to collect in
higher zones. The more clayey soils may experience a greater effect
due to capillary action than the sandy soils, thus forming the very
clayey, alkaline "scalds" seen so often in the San Joaquin Valley
(14,23). The interaction between available water, soil texture, and
microtopography may therefore determine the microhabitat occupied by
C. palmatus--high ground or low ground--at a given site.
Because of the extreme environment occupied by this species, soil
saturation may play a critical part in the life cycle of C. palmatus.
Germination is the most vulnerable stage in the life cycle of a plant,
and the bird's-beak may rely on the flooded winter period as a time
when the dissolved solids present in the soil solution are most
dilute, enabling germination and survival (03). Although speculative
at this time, it suggests that a natural regime of flooding or at
least saturation during winter is essential for this plant.
Natural community: C. palmatus grows in alkali sink scrub (01).
Competition: That C. palmatus is found at the outermost border of
vegetation in soils so alkaline or saline suggests that this species
is unusually tolerant of extreme soil conditions (pers obs). It may,
however, be a poor competitor under more favorable conditions for
growth. In the greenhouse, the species grows under non-saline
conditions without competition quite well, but it may not be
competitive in the field under non-saline conditions (03).
Tolerance of disturbance: Since one recently-mapped locality was
noted as occurring on disturbed soil at the shoulder of a dirt road
(16), lack of soil disturbance appears less important than other
factors.
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
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 Terrestrial Features: Depressions
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The palmate-bracted birds-beak (Cordylanthus palmatus) is an
herb (01,02,03).
LIFE CYCLE:
Cordylanthus palmatus is unusual among annual plants of the
Central Valley in growing, reproducing and setting seed so late in the
summer. This is made possible, it is theorized, because it is a
hemiparasite on perennial plants, whose moisture and nutrient reserves
can be drawn upon late in the summer (10,22).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
The palmate-bracted birds-beak reproduces sexually (03).
Chromosomes are 21 while other members of the genus contain 12, 13,
14, 15 and 16 chromosomes (Heckard 1985).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination dates are uncertain, but is estimated to occur after
the rains begin. Leafing dates are unknown, budding occurs most
likely in May to June, anthesis in May/June to September/October, and
fruiting occurs in August to October. Seed/fruit dispersal dates
are unknown (03,19). Heckard (03) reports that little is known of the
winter habitat for C. palmatus; it is difficult to find in its early
stages, and on those occasions when it has been searched for in
winter, the ground it occupies is sticky, wet, and difficult to
traverse.
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
The palmate-bracted birds-beak is monoecious (02,03).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Heckard (03) suspects this species is bee pollinated, as the
insect must be able to pry the lips of the flower open. Other members
of the genus are bee-pollinated. This species will not self-pollinate
in the greenhouse. Its seed dissemination agent is most likely water.
C. palmatus has the most elaborate reticulations on the seed-coat of
any member of the genus, and it has waxy formations on the seed-coat
as well. These two features would tend to form a water-resistant
envelope of air pockets which would serve to float the seed (03).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Cordylanthus palmatus, like many highly specialized species
of intermittently flooded plant species in the California Central
Valley, almost undoubtedly has considerable capacity for extended
periods of dormancy, since the irregular weather conditions typical of
the region may result in unfavorable conditions for germination for
more than one year.
In the greenhouse, the present year's seed germinated without any
pre-treatment and was known to germinate up to four years later (03).
In germination trials, Chuang and Heckard (22) found C. palmatus
germinated most readily at 80 degrees F. in comparison with other
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
Western North American congeners: it had 12 percent germination while
the others had a maximum of 4 percent. It germinated better at 50
degrees F; they obtained 94 percent germination at that temperature.
They found no difference in germination between light and dark
regimes. Germination typically took place in 10-14 days, with an
epigeous radicle emerging first, followed by hypocotyl and cotyledon
(22).
No information has been reported on the annual average or
variation in seed production.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Those populations which have been observed over a period of
several years or more have shown downward trends in numbers, even in
the absence of apparent outside influences.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Cordylanthus palmatus grows in saline-alkaline soils of
lowland flats and plains (03), often in overflow lands which flood
intermittently during the winter rainy season (01).
Soil: The soils at two sites have been reported as Pescadero clays
and Solano fine sandy loams (19,20). Both soils are alfisols formed
over quaternary alluvium. Solano soils are typic natrixeralfs, fine
loamy mixed-thermic soils. Pescadero soils are aquic natrixeralfs,
fine textured montmorillonitic, thermic soils (24). Both have
massive clay subsoils, and percolation and infiltration are slow. In
some reports, a white, powdery residue has been observed on the soil
surface during the dry period (15); this is reported as being sodium
bicarbonate (03). Both soil types are characterized as saline or
saline-alkaline (20), but C. palmatus appears to occupy only the most
extreme microsites.
Soil chemistry: The soil series at one Mendota site was reported by
Heckard (03) as being black-alkali, or saline-alkaline; they had a
pH of 8-9 (10). Dr. Heckard believes that this species, while
occurring in soils with high levels of dissolved salts, may require
inundation and flushing associated with periodic stream overflow
during the winter months to reduce salinity and thereby stimulate
germination (03). The plant apparently can tolerate higher
concentrations of dissolved solids at later periods in its life cycle.
Microhabitat: Various microhabitats have been reported for
C. palmatus; however, an understanding of the hydrology of the various
sites may help to create a more unified picture of its requirements
(see hydrology section). Heckard (03) has observed the plant growing
in the lowest part of roadsides; Taylor (16) reported it growing on
the dirt thrown up on a roadside as result of grading. The plant is
at the edges of shallow drainages at the Livermore site, as well as at
the edges of scalds on higher ground (23). The available water,
dissolved solids, soil texture, and microtopography and patterns of
water movement and salt accumulation probably determine the
microhabitat occupied by C. palmatus--high ground or low ground--at a
given site.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
Soil saturation may play a critical part in the life cycle of
C. palmatus. Germination is the most vulnerable stage in the life
cycle of a plant, and the bird's-beak may rely on the flooded winter
period as a time when the dissolved solids present in the soil
solution are most dilute, enabling germination and survival (03).
Although speculative at this time, it suggests that a natural regime
of flooding or at least saturation during winter is essential for this
plant.
TROPHIC STATUS:
C. palmatus is a hemiparasitic plant. Heckard and Chuang (22)
investigated the parasitic relations of this and other members of
Cordylanthus in the greenhouse. They found members of the genus to
not be host-specific, although there were variations in plant growth
between different hosts. Heckard (03) reports the haustorial
connections extremely difficult to see. Taylor (16) speculated that
Suaeda fruticosa and Atriplex cordulata may be the hosts; Heckard
also speculates that Distichlis may be a host (03).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The areas where C. palmatus are found are dominated typically
by Frankenia grandifolia, Suaeda fruticosa, Distichlis spicata var.
stricta, Cressa truxillensis var. vallicola, Allenrolfea occidentalis
and Hemizonia pungens (02,15,19). C. palmatus is by no means a
dominant or co-dominant in the community (it is a component) (02,03,
14,15,19). The characteristic aspect of vegetation is very sparse in
this uninviting habitat.
Other species reported as growing in close association with
C. palmatus are as follows (asterisks indicate the species is
non-native): Bassia hyssopifolia*, Atriplex argentea var. expansa,
Spergularia bocconii*, Lasthenia platycarpha, Medicago polymorpha*,
Heleochloa schoenoides, Plantago bigelovii, Polypogon monspeliensis*,
Eryngium aristulatum, Hordeum geniculatum*, and Salicornia
subterminalis (02,14,15,19).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
The plant community where palmate-bracted birds-beak is found has
been described as an alkaline scrub.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
C. palmatus is hemiparasitic; the host species are not well
known, but likely hosts are Distichlis spicata var. stricta,
Suaeda fruticosa and Atriplex fruticosa, as well as possibly
Allenrolfea occidentalis, Salicornia subterminalis (03,16).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Salinity alteration
Existing Salinity alteration
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Strip mining
Existing Strip mining
Adverse Water Level Stabilization
Existing Water Level Stabilization
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Groundwater drawdown
Existing Groundwater drawdown
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Land conversion to agricultural and urban uses. Although the
seasonally ponded "black-alkali" (nonsaline alkaline or
saline-alkaline) soils are marginal for agriculture, salt-tolerant
strains of crops have been developed, making the conversion to
agriculture economically feasible. As a result, even these poor soils
have been increasingly farmed in the Central Valley of California.
Of the 11 extant and historic sites, the College City type locality,
the greater portion of the Woodland site, possible all or part of the
Kerman, Madera and Stockton sites may have been lost to agriculture.
The suitability of these soils for urban use is likewise
marginal; however, urban encroachment into C. palmatus habitat seems
to make development irresistible to land owners. The Livermore site,
which was discovered during the course of environmental surveys for a
proposed housing project, continues to be in jeopardy from
urbanization, both from development and as a result of recreation
pressure from adjacent suburban residents. In addition, in January,
1983, about 90 ac of the Livermore site was bulldozed and a portion of
the associated wetlands were filled (12, 13); this was probably done
intentionally in an attempt to eliminate the birds-beak and pave the
way for development (14). The Woodland site was extirpated by a
sewage pond, and a portion of the Davis property lies on City of Davis
lands (01).
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
Aside from direct loss of habitat from agricultural or urban
uses, indirect effects to the population caused by changes in soil or
water flow regime on adjacent lands may threaten the species as well.
Runoff made more rapid or more sluggish may be detrimental to the
population (12); changes in the water table, whether higher or lower,
could affect the salt concentrations in the soil, creating too saline
an environment or rendering the site habitable for more competitive
species (14); off-site pollution flowing onto existing populations may
cause deleterious effects; and changes in the levels of
naturally-occurring dissolved solids may adversely affect the life
cycle of this species (13).
Grazing: Historically, cattle grazing affected many of the areas once
supporting this species. In some areas the plant species composition
was undoubtedly altered significantly by grazing animals. Since
palmate-bracted birds-beak is a hemiparasite, it might be subject to
effects indirectly. Existing grazing levels do not appear to threaten
those areas still supporting C. palmatus (14).
Waterfowl management: The marginally productive overflow areas of the
Central Valley were, before coming under pressure for agricultural
conversion, to a large degree managed for waterfowl use by private
duck clubs and government refuges. Although not documented as clearly
as loss to agricultural conversion, seasonal fall flooding would
almost certainly degrade habitat for this species (03). Evidence for
this is that the recently-discovered remnant populations at the
Colusa NWR and the Mendota WMA are found in areas which do not receive
the seasonal flooding required for waterfowl, but instead are found in
sites nearby which are not flooded. Doug Stone (15) indicates that
the levee adjacent to the Colusa NWR site represents a threat to the
population, as inadvertent flooding could destroy the site.
Off-road vehicle use: Half of the ten individuals reintroduced to the
Mendota WMA in 1973 by Dr. Larry Heckard were destroyed by off-road
vehicles (02). The newly-mapped colony at the Mendota WMA is located
on the shoulder of a dirt road and is clearly vulnerable to off-road
pressures (16). The discoverer of the newly-mapped population at the
Colusa NWR, Doug Stone, noted in his field notes (15) that the site is
accessible by road and by foot; it appears that ORV use may also
represent a threat at that site. The Livermore site is also
threatened by off-road vehicles; on several occasions, Dr. Larry
Stromberg has observed dirt bikes, presumably ridden by nearby
residents, in the C. palmatus site (14). Here, the danger is most
acute, since the prospect of continuing, increasing, and heavy ORV
use is not merely a possibility but a certainty.
Inadequate legal protection: Although C. palmatus is listed as
endangered by both the USFWS and the California Department of Fish and
Game, agricultural conversion is not precluded by the legal protection
afforded under either the Endangered Species Act or the California
Native Plant Protection Act. Penalties for intentional vandalism,
although covered under the Endangered Species Act, are not sufficient
to represent a deterrent in some cases. Considerable protection may
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
be afforded under the regulations of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
which have jurisdiction over wetlands, including the seasonal wetlands
inhabited by Cordylanthus palmatus). The Corps has asserted its
jurisdiction over portions of the Livermore site; however, its
criteria for defining wetland sites, which includes consideration of
soil, water and vegetation characteristics, may not include the actual
habitat occupied by C. palmatus (14).
Inherent reproduction and population characteristics:
Dr. Larry Heckard has reported observing an otherwise undisturbed
population decline to zero on a barren alkali plain east of Mendota
(02,03). Genetic depletion and reduced reproductive potential may
further threaten the species (17,18).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Munz, P.A. and David Keck. 1973. A California flora and
supplement. Univ. of Calif. Press, Berkeley, CA. 1905 pp.
02 Heckard, L.R. 1977. Rare plant status report, Cordylanthus
palmatus. Calif. Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 3 pp.
03 Heckard, Larry R. 1987. Pers. comm. Research botanist, Jepson
Herbarium, Sacramento, CA.
04 Ferris, R.S. 1918. Taxonomy and distribution of Adenostegia.
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club. 45:399-423.
05 Macbride, J.F. 1919. Reclassified or new spermatophytes, chiefly
North American. Contr. Gray Herbarium. 59:28-39.
06 Pennell, F.W. 1947. Some hitherto undescribed Scrophulariaceae of
the Pacific States. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 99:155-199.
(see p 199).
07 Munz, P.A. 1958. California miscellany IV. Aliso 4:87-100.
08 Mason, H.W. 1957. Flora of the marshes of California. Univ. of
Calif. Press, Berkeley. 878 pp.
09 Abrams, Leroy. 1951. Illustrated flora of the Pacific States. Vol
III. Stanford Univ. Press. 866 pp. (see pp 850-851).
10 Chuang, T.I. and L.R. Heckard. 1973. Taxonomy of Cordylanthus
subgenus Hemistegia (Scrophulariaceae). Brittonia 25:135-158.
11 Smith J.P., Jr., and R.P. York. 1984. Inventory of rare and
endangered vascular plants of California (third edition). Calif.
Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 174 pp.
12 Farless, Jack. 1983. Letter dated 12 December, 1983 from Jack
Farless, Acting Chief, Construction and Oper. Div., U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, to Gerald Peeler, Assist. City Manager, City of
Livermore, CA.
13 Farless, Jack. 1985. Letter dated September 16, 1985, from Jack
Farless, Chief, Construction Oper. Div., U.S. Army Corps of
Enginers, to William Shake, USFWS, Portland, OR.
14 Stromberg, Larry. 1987. Pers. comm. Consulting plant ecologist,
Albany, CA.
15 Stone, Doug. 1987. Biologist, Biosystems Analysis, Santa Cruz.
Field notes on file at Calif. Nat. Diversity Data Base, Sacramento,
CA. 3 pp.
16 Taylor, Dean. 1987. Letter dated January 28, 1987 to Calif. Nat.
Diversity Data Base, Sacramento, CA.
17 U.S. Fish and wildlife Service. 1985. Proposed rule, Cordylanthus
palmatus (Palmate-Bracted Birds-Beak). Fed. Reg. 50 (136)
28870-28873.
18 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Final rule, Cordylanthus
palmatus, (Palmate-Bracted Birds-Beak). Fed. Reg. 51(126):
23765-23769.
19 California Native Plant Society. (various dates). California
native plant field survey forms. On file at: Calif. Dept. of Fish
and Game Nat. Diversity Data Base, Sacramento, CA.
20 U.S. Soil Conservation Society. 1966. Soil Survey, Alameda Area,
CA. US Department of Agriculture. See map 10 for Alameda County
site.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species BIRDS-BEAK, PALMATE-BRACTED
Species Id ESIS701041
Date 13 MAR 96
21 Zander, M. 1984. Memo dated October 1, 1984 to Vicki Reynolds,
Robin Cox, Lin Grayson, Kathy Zavitz, Paul Kelly, Monty Knudsen.
4 pp.
22 Chuang, T.I. and L.R. Heckard. 1971. Observations on
root-parasitism in Cordylanthus (Scrophulariaceae). Amer. J. Bot.
58(3):218-228.
23 Leitner, Barbara. 1987. Pers. observ. Oakland, CA 94618.
24 Rogers, John. 1987. Pers. comm. USDA, Soil Cons. Soc., Davis,
CA.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 California Native Plant Society. (various dates). California
native plant field survey forms. On file: Calif. Dept. of Fish and
Game Natural Diversity Data Base, Sacramento.
02 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Proposed rule, Cordylanthus
palmatus (Palmate-bracted birds-beak). Fed. Reg. 50(136)
28870-28873.
03 U.S. Fish and Wildife Service. 1986. Final rule, Cordylanthus
palmatus (Palmate-bracted birds-beak). Fed. Reg. 51(126):23765-
23769.
04 Heckard, L.R. 1977. Rare plant status report, Cordylanthus
palmatus. Calif. Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 3 pp.
05 Cox, Robin. 1984. Element preservation plan, Cordylanthus
palmatus. The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, CA. 3 pp
+ attachments.
06 Stromberg, Larry. 1987. Pers. comm. Consulting plant ecologist,
Albany, CA.
07 Farless, Jack. 1983. Letter dated 12 December, 1983, from Jack
Farless, Acting Chief, Construction and Operations Division, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, to Gerald Peeler, Assistant City Manager,
Livermore, CA.
08 Farless, Jack. 1985. Letter dated September 15, 1985, from Jack
Farless, U.S. Army Corps pf Engineers Construction Division, San
Francisco, to William Shake, USFWS, Portland, OR.
09 Zander, Michael. 1982. Garaventa, Barnet Range, Anden Mitigation
Planning, Phase I. ESA/Madrone, Novato, CA. Cited in Farless 1985
memo.
10 Taylor, Dean. 1987. Letter dated January 28, 1987 to California
Natural Diversity Data Base, Sacramento, CA.
11 Harlow, David. 1987. Memorandum dated September 9, 1987 to Refuge
Manager, Sacramento National Wildife Refuge Comples, Willows, CA.
12 Heckard, Larry R. 1987. Pers. comm. Research botanist, Jepson
Herbarium, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley.
13 Steele, Dale T. 1985. Letter from Dale Steele (no address) dated
November 15, 1985 to Regional Director, USFWS, Portland, OR.
References - 2