(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
OTHER COMMON NAMES - FRANKENIA and JOHNSTON'S
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - VIOLALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FRANKENIACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - FRANKENIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - JOHNSTONII,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - FRANKENIA JOHNSTONII
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Johnston's Frankenia
Frankenia johnstonii Correll
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Violales FAMILY: Frankeniaceae
Low shrub to 3 dm tall, 1.5 - 6 dm across, with a woody taproot
and a woody caudex giving rise to many ascending or recurved stems,
the entire plant grayish - or bluish-green; stems subherbaceous,
short-pilose; internodes 4-10 mm long; long-shoot leaves distinctly
petiolate, petioles 0.7 - 2.2 mm long, slightly winged; leaf-blades
oblanceolate, narrowly obovate, or oblong-elliptic, 4 - 10.5 mm long,
1.4 - 4 mm wide, rounded at the base, minutely apiculate at the
rounded apex, the margins somewhat revolute, surfaces gray-green,
abaxial surface thinly canescent, adaxial surface sparsely
short-pilose; short-shoot leaves borne in fascicles of 2(-6), similar
to long-shoot leaves; flowers sessile and solitary or less commonly in
dichasia bearing 2 - 3 flowers; peduncles 1.5 - 5(-8) mm long; floral
bracts leaf-like, 2.5 - 7 mm long, blades oblong-elliptic to elliptic,
connate at the base into subequal verticils of 4, enveloping the
lower calyx for 0.5 - 0.8 mm; calyces tubular, dilated slightly toward
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
the base, indurate, 3.8 - 6.5 mm long, 1.2 - 2 mm wide, short-pilose,
with 5 triangular, spreading lobes, 1.5 - 2.5 mm long; petals 5(-6),
spathulate, 6-10 mm long, white, occasionally with a pink tinge,
clawed, with rounded erose-dentate apices; stamens (5-)6(-12), in 2
subequal whorls, 3.5 - 6.8 mm long, exserted, anthers yellow,
0.8 - 1.4 mm long, pollen bright yellow; style 3.5 - 6 mm long,
exserted, white, style-branches 3, filiform, 1.8 - 2.5 mm long;
capsules narrowly ovoid, 2.8 - 3.5 mm long, 1.2 - 1.4 mm wide,
golden-brown, closely enveloping solitary seed; seeds elongate-ovoid,
2.1 - 3.1 mm long, 0.8 - 1.4 mm wide (01,02,03).
Frankenia johnstonii was described in 1966 by Dr. D.S. Correll
(04). In 1973, Dr. B.L. Turner described F. leverichii from Nuevo
Leon, Mexico (05). Dr. M.A. Whalen placed F. leverichii in synonymy
with F. johnstonii in her Ph.D. dissertation (03), although according
to Turner she apparently considered making F. leverichii a variety of
F. johnstonii (06).
The holotype of Frankenia johnstonii is housed at the University
of Texas at Austin herbarium (03,04,06). Isotypes are stored at the
New York Botanical Garden, the University of California at Berkeley,
the Gray Herbarium, and the U.S. National Herbarium (03,04,06). Other
specimens are available at the following herberia: University of
Texas at Austin, Royal Botanic Garden, Dudley Herbarium, and Swedish
Museum of Natural History (04). A list of specimens examined by
Whalen for her dissertation is available at the University of Texas at
Austin (03). The only illustrations currently available are line
drawings of the leaves, flowers (including all parts), and seeds (03).
Descriptions are available in several sources (01,02,03,04,06).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Johnston's frankenia (Frankenia johnstonii) 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 Texas and Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
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: Texas
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
STATE STATUTE: Chapter 88 of the Texas Parks and Wildl. Code,
Sections 57.401-57.413
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species has value as a component of Texas' natural heritage
of biotic diversity.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Notice of Review
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed Rule
79/12/10:44 FR 70796/70797 - Withdrawl of Proposed Rule
80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82569 - Revised List of Plants Under Review
83/07/22:48 FR 33501/33503 - Proposed Rule
84/07/19:49 FR 29232/29234 - Final Rule - Listed as Endangered
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of Review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Mixed Rangeland
Dry Salt Flats
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Johnston's frankenia grows on mixed rangeland used for pasture
within the Texas savanna (07). This region is referred to as the
South Texas Plains by Gould (08), the mesquite-blackbrush brush by
McMahan (09), and the Tamaulipan Scrub (03). In Mexico the known
population occurs, according to Whalen (03), in the transition zone
between the Tamaulipan Scrub and the Chihuahuan Desert, or in the
matorral xerofilo, according to Rzedowski (10).
In general Johnston's frankenia is found on sparsely vegetated,
rocky gypseous hillsides or saline flats (01). The soils are chiefly
saline sands or clays with a high (an average of 10 percent) gypsum
content (01).
In Texas, the elevation varies from 250 to 510 feet (01). In
Mexico the locality is at approximately 2500 feet (01). The plants
are usually found on gentle slopes of no particular aspect or on
flats.
The climate is hot and semi-arid. In the area between Laredo and
Rio Grande City, the precipitation averages 20-21 inches per year,
with a peak during August to October (usually in September) and a
lesser peak in May and June (11). In this same area the average
annual low temperature is 60-62 degrees Farenheit and the average
annual high temperature is 85-86 degrees Farenheit (11).
The frankenia occcurs along fences dividing private land and
county highway rights-of-way along Ema Blanca Rd. (Starr Co.) and near
Farm-to-Market Rd. (Zapata Co.) (16).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
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 Availability of fence rows: roadside ditches and grassy
G
G
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Johnston's frankenia is a shrub (01,02,03,04,05,06).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (01,02,03,04,05,06).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (03); by using pollen-ovule ratios as an indication of
breeding system, Whalen concluded that Johnston's frankenia is a
facultative outbreeder (03). Whalen cites Fryxell that apomixis has
not been reported in the Frankeniaceae (03). Whalen states that only
four of the 14 American Frankenias have any means of vegetative
reproduction; Johnston's frankenia is not one of the four (03).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Whalen states that fruits from the previous year(s) were
occasionally found on Johnston's frankenia (03). Although the seeds
germinate readily after a few days' exposure to fresh water, they are
enclosed in a hard semi-impermeable calyx tube which may encase them
until a strong rain can wash the seeds from the fruits (03). Whalen
suggests that these hard rains might also insure enough soil moisture
for early seedling growth, an important factor in a semi-arid climate
(03). Exact dates for reproductive phenology are not known but
budding and flowering occur after rains. Fruit appears several weeks
after flowering (06).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (03).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
There is a definite difference between pollinators and floral
visitors (03). There is no information available about specific
pollinators of Johnston's frankenia, but the most common floral
visitors were hymenopterans and dipterans (03).
SEED BIOLOGY:
According to Whalen's studies, the mean fruit set in Johnston's
frankenia is 59 percent (03). Although the mean ovule number is
approximately 3, only one of the three consistently develops into a
mature seed (03). The seeds are very large and enclosed by the hard,
semi-impermeable calyx tube which may require hard rain to release the
seed (03). Heavy rains might also assure sufficient soil moisture for
early seedling growth, an important factor in a semi-arid environment,
just as the large seeds giving rise initially to larger seedlings with
longer radicles would be advantageous in seedling establishment in a
drier climate (03). Fruits occasionally persist on plants for up to
several years, and the seeds have some degree of longevity (03).
Two-year-old seeds in Whalen's work gave high germination percentages
(03). The seeds germinate quickly, (most within five to eight days),
another advantage for exploiting brief favorable conditions in xeric
climates (03). The final germination percentage in Whalen's study was
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
88 percent for Johnston's frankenia (03). Whalen also conducted
experiments on germination under increasing concentrations of salinity
(03). Johnston's frankenia exhibited reduced germination at and above
1.1 percent salinity (03). However when the seeds were soaked in a
3.4 percent saline solution for 30 days and then transferred to
distilled water for a week, 56 percent germination occurred (03).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
At present approximately 1500 plants are known from seven sites
(01). The populations contain two to several hundred plants (01).
The populations are fairly widespread; the Texas populations occurring
within a 35-mile radius and the Mexican population being 125 miles
disjunct (01). Nothing is known about population trends or causes of
mortality.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
In general Johnston's frankenia occurs on saline sandy or clay
soils with a high gypsum content (an average of 10 percent) (01). The
northern Zapata county site is on the Maverick-Catarina association
(primarily saline, gypsiferous, or saline clays) (12,13). In southern
Zapata county, the plants occur on the Zapata-Maverick association
(shallow loams over caliche or saline clays) (12,13). Whalen had the
soil at this site tested, and the composition was 28 percent clay,
45 percent silt, and 21 percent sand, with a 0.2 percent gypsum
content (03). In Starr County Johnston's frankenia has been found on
the Copita fine shady loam, the eroded Maverick soils, and the saline
Montell clay (13). Whalen had the soils tested at the site north of
Roma on the eroded Maverick soils, and the composition was 20 percent
sand, 77 percent silt, and 0 percent clay, with a 11.7 percent gypsum
content (03). At the Mexican locality the soil was 41 percent sand,
55 percent silt, and 0 percent clay with a 39 percent gypsum content
(03).
Most of the Johnston's frankenia localities are on the Jackson
Group geologic formation (Eocene sandstones and clays) (14,15). There
are also localities on the Laredo formation (Eocene sandstones and
clays) and Rio Grande floodplain alluvium (Holocene clay, silt,
gravel, and organic matter) (14). In Mexico Johnston's frankenia is
found in an area of Cenozoic and Mesozoic marine sediments
(principally limestone, shale, and marl) (01).
Johnston's frankenia grows in full sunlight on gentle slopes of
no particular aspect. The populations in Texas occur at elevations
from 250 to 510 feet (01). At the Mexican locality, the elevation is
about 2500 feet (01).
The climate is semi-arid with an average of 20-21 inches of
precipitation annually with peaks in fall and spring (01). The
temperature has an average low of 60-62 degrees F and an average high
of 85-86 degrees F (11).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (03).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Dominant/codominant, component (06). Usually Johnston's
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
frankenia is of scattered occurrence at a site. However, at two
sites, the one in northern Zapata County and the one near El Sauz, the
species is a codominant (06).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Johnston's frankenia occurs in a saline scrub community,
dominated by salt tolerant species such as Varilla texana (saladillo),
Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush), Tiquilia canescens (gray
coldenia), Suaeda sp. (seepweed), Isocoma drummondii (Drummond's
jimmy-weed), and Sporobolus pyramidatus (whorled dropseed) (01). This
community is stable unless disturbed by man.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Whalen observed considerable predation of frankenia flowers by
moth larvae (03). However, the species which preys on Johnston's
frankenia was not identified. Turner noted that the plant is
apparently readily grazed (06).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Johnston's frankenia is threatened by its inherent biological
characteristics and habitat modification or destruction. Specific
past and present factors detrimentally affecting Johnston's frankenia
are low numbers of individuals, restricted distribution, low
reproductive potential, heavy grazing, and land management practices.
Threats to the Mexican population are not known.
In Texas six populations are currently known. Numbers of
individuals within a population vary from two to several hundred, with
approximately 1500 individuals overall. Such a small gene pool has
limited variability, and could result in a diminished capacity to
tolerate various stresses and threats. At such low levels, losses of
any individuals could cause irreversible population decreases.
Johnston's frankenia occurs in highly specialized habitats of
high salt or gypsum content. Such sites are localized, scattered, and
not widespread. Thus the sites available for colonization are
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
limited.
Johnston's frankenia has low reproductive potential. Seed set
is less than 50 percent in nature (06) and seedlings or young plants
are rarely observed (01).
All Johnston's frankenia sites are, or have been, grazed by
cattle and other livestock. Heavy grazing leads to changes in
community composition, soil compaction and/or erosion, and habitat
destruction. Tender new growth of Johnston's frankenia is eaten by
livestock (06). At one heavily grazed site, all plants were among or
very close to other shrubs, perhaps acquiring some protection from
grazing or trampling (01).
Whalen observed considerable predation of frankenia flowers by
moth larvae (03). However, the species of moth which preys on
Johnston's frankenia was not identified.
Land management practices of south Texas, are in general,
extremely destructive of the natural habitat. Pastures are often
cleared by mechanical and/or chemical means, and usually reseeded with
the highly competitive bermuda or buffelgrass. If not totally
destroyed by clearing, Johnston's frankenia is easily shaded out by
buffelgrass.
A future threat to Johnston's frankenia might be reservoir
development. The majority of the populations occur near small
drainages or creeks which could be developed to hold water and flood
surrounding area.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for the
Johnston's Frankenia (Frankenia johnstonii). Tech./Agency Draft.
U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM. 37 pp.
The final approved recovery plan is scheduled for completion on
December 31, 1987.
The prime objective of the recovery plan is to manage and protect
the essential habitat of Johnston's frankenia so that healthy
populations can be sustained in their natural habitat. The first step
in this process is to protect existing plants and habitat by:
1. identifying essential habitat required for the species continued
existence,
2. working with landowners of essential habitat to make them aware of
the plants and habitat and helping them to manage their land to the
benefit of the species,
3. obtaining permanent protection (land acquistion) of plants at the
known site,
4. erecting and maintaining fences around the protected site,
5. developing a management plan, and
6. monitoring the known populations.
Habitat requirements of Johnston's frankenia should be
identified, including: (1) edaphic factors (i.e., soil
characteristics), (2) local microclimate, (3) air and water
quality requirements, (4) physiographic and topographic
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
characteristics, (5) vegetation physiognomy and community structure,
(6) frequently associated species, (7) dominance and frequency, (8)
successional phenomena, and (9) dependence on natural disturbance.
The demography and phenology of the species should be studied. The
reproductive biology must also be investigated. Factors that
need to be understood include: (1) types of reproduction,
(2) pollination biology, (3) seed dispersal, (4) seed biology,
(5) seedling ecology, and (6) survival and mortality
factors. Population ecology studies should investigate positive,
negative, and neutral interactions and hybridizations. There should
be continued searches for additional populations. The recovery of
the species may help by the establishment of additional populations
(by transplanting individuals and/or seeding) in suitable natural
habitats and in cultivation. This will require the development of
effective cultivation techniques, the maintenance of populations in
botanical gardens, and searches for suitable natural habitat for
transplants. Public awareness and support for the preservation of
Johnston's frankenia must be encouraged.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species FRANKENIA, JOHNSTON'S
Species Id ESIS702029
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery plan for
Johnston's frankenia. Tech. Rev. Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. 37 pp.
02 Correll, D.S. and M.C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular
plants of Texas. Texas Res. Foundation, Renner.
03 Whalen, M.A. 1980. A systematic revision of the New World Species
of frankenia (Frankeniaceae). PhD. Diss., Univ. of Texas, Austin.
04 Correll, D.S. 1966. Some additions and corrections to the flora
of Texas, III. Rhodora 68:420-428.
05 Turner, B.L. 1973. A new species of frankenia (Frankeniaceae)
from Gypseous Soil of North Central Mexico. Sida 5:132-135.
06 Turner, B.L. 1980. Status report on Frankenia johnstonii Correll.
U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
07 Garrison, G.A., et al. 1977. Vegetation and environmental
features of forest and range ecosystems. U.S. Dept. of Agri.
Agri. Handbook No. 475. Wash., D.C.
08 Gould, F.W. 1975. Texas plants - a checklist and ecological
summary. Texas A&M Univ., College Station.
09 McMahan, C.A., et al. 1984. The vegetation types of Texas. Texas
Parks and Wildl. Dept., Austin.
10 Rzedowski, J. 1978. Vegetacion de Mexico. Editorial Limusa,
Mexico City.
11 Bomar, G.W. 1983. Texas weather. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin.
12 Soil Conservation Service. 1971. General soil map of Zapata
County. U.S. Dept. of Agri., Wash., D.C.
13 Thompson, C.M., et al. 1972. Soil survey of Starr County, Texas.
U.S. Dept. of Agri., Wash., D.C.
14 Bureau of Economic Geology. 1976. Geologic atlas of Texas:
McAllen-Brownsville sheet. Univ. of Texas at Austin.
15 Bureau of Economic Geology. 1976. Geologic atlas of Texas:
Laredo sheet. Univ. of Texas at Austin.
16 Poole, J.M. 1986. Pers. knowledge. Texas Natural Heritage
Program, Austin, TX 78701.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Turner, B.L. 1980. Status report on Frankenia johnstonii Correll.
U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
02 Texas Natural Heritage Program. 1986. Data on Frankenia
johnstonii. Austin, TX.
03 Whalen, M.A. 1980. A systematic revision of the New World Species
of Frankenia (Frankeniaceae). Ph.D. Diss., Univ. of TX, Austin.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Final rule to determine
Frankenia johnstonii to be an endangered species. Fed. Reg.
49:31418-31421.
References - 1