(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA; CLIFFROSE and KEARNEY; CLIFFROSE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - ROSALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ROSACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - COWANIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - SUBINTEGRA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - COWANIA SUBINTEGRA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Arizona Cliffrose
Cowania subintegra Kearney
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Rosales FAMILY: Rosaceae
Cowania subintegra is a low straggling evergreen shrub up to 1 m
(3 feet) high with light gray bark that becomes shreddy. The herbage
is not viscid, and the leaves are up to 15 mm (0.6 inch) long and 3 mm
(0.1 inch) wide, 1-veined and entire (occasionally with 1 or 2
subapical rounded teeth). The margins of the leaves are revolute, and
they are bright green and loosely arachnoid-pubescent on the upper
surface, while the lower surface is densely white lanate. The rose-
like flowers are solitary; the narrowly funnelform hypanthium lacks
stipitate glands. The white or yellow petals are about 10 mm
(0.4 inch) long. There are 3 to 7 pistils per flower, and the achenes
have long, plumose whitish persistent styles (07,15).
Arizona cliffrose was first collected by Robert A. Darrow and
Crooks on April 20, 1938. The type specimen was collected by Darrow
and Lyman Benson on April 18, 1941 (Darrow and Benson 10891 (15)) at
the same location, in the foothills of the Aquarius Mountains two
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
miles west of Burro Creek Crossing on the road from Wikieup to
Hillside, southeastern Mohave County near the Yavapai County line. On
September 7, 1968 a disjunct population of the species was discovered
19.2 km (12 miles) northwest of Bylas in Graham County by Pinkava,
Lehto and Keil (22).
On March 16, 1984, John Anderson found a third locality
approximately halfway between these two (01,26) at the north end of
the Verde Valley in the vicinity of Dead Horse Ranch State Park near
Cottonwood, Yavapai County. On May 10, 1984, N.B. Herkenham
independently found this third population of the species during a
botanical inventory of Dead Horse Ranch State Park (25). In August
1985, Dr. Barbara G. Phillips discovered a fourth population area near
Horseshoe Dam, Maricopa County, also on the Verde River, during a
search for Eriogonum ripleyi J.T. Howell, another rare species of
calcareous habitats.
Cowania (along with several other rosaceous genera) are of Madro-
Tertiary Geoflora derivation as the isolation of dry sites within a
predominant tropical savanna and subtropical forest contributed to the
evolution of many highly distinctive genera (01,02,03,16,27). There
are four other extant species of Cowania which range from central
Mexico to western Colorado, northern Utah, and eastern California
(01). The chromosome counts of all five species of Cowania, including
the Burro Creek and Bylas populations of C. subintegra, are n=9, one
of the base numbers of the Rosaceae (01,04,16,17).
According to Kearney (15) this species resembles Cowania
ericaefolia Torr. of the Chihuahuan Desert of Trans-Pecos Texas and
Coahuila, Mexico, in habit, appearance, small stature, and very
narrow, mostly entire leaves, but the latter species has linear,
sharply cuspidate leaves that are very short, stipitate glands on the
hypanthium and darker colored bark. The Arizona populations may
represent relicts of a more widespread distribution for C. subintegra
(or its precursor) (01,16,18,34).
Hybridization occurs between C. subintegra and C. stansburiana in
central Arizona where the ranges of the two species overlap (01,23,24,
25,26). The Arizona cliffrose population in Graham County lacks
evidence of past or present hybridization with C. stansburiana (24),
whereas the Burro Creek population may show some evidence of past
introgression (01).
Putative hybrids show varying degrees of lobing of the leaves,
and presence of glands on leaves, hypanthia, and pedicels,
characteristics intermediate between the parent species. Lack of
agreement among people working with Arizona cliffrose on how much
evidence of hybridization to allow in C. subintegra plants has led to
discrepancies in numbers of plants reported for various locations
(23).
According to Schaack (24), Dr. Jim Henrickson will be
incorporating Cowania into the genus Purshia and nomenclature of
Cowania subintegra and hybrids, as well as other species, will change
soon.
The type specimen is deposited at the University of Arizona
herbarium (07,15,21,34). There are several published descriptions of
the species (01,07,15,21,34). The most complete and accurate original
descriptions are those of Kearney (15), Butterwick (07), and Anderson
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
(01).
Some agencies (Coconino National Forest, Kingman District of
Bureau of Land Management) have photographs of the species and its
habitat. A drawing is located at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Endangered Species, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Specimens have
been deposited at herbaria at Arizona State University, Coconino
National Forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona
University, The University of Arizona, and The University of New
Mexico. Other common names for the Arizona cliffrose include:
Kearney cliffrose and cliffrose.
Taxonomy - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Arizona cliffrose (Cowania subintegra) 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 Arizona.
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.
BIA -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Bureau of Indian Affairs
lands.
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.
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
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: Arizona
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Arizona Commission of Agriculture
STATE STATUTE: Arizona Native Plant Law, (AZ) Revised Statutes
Chapt. 7, Sect. 3-901B.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species may be of value for some of its yet undetermined
phytochemical products and as a component of Arizona's natural
heritage of biotic diversity. Also, this plant is sought as an
ornamental. Congress, in enacting the Endangered Species Act, allowed
neither commercial nors "scenic value" to be used as criteria in the
Act to determine whether or not to list a species. The Arizona
cliffrose is apparently an important component in the diet of the mule
deer.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27824 - Notice of review
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed rule - 1700 species
79/12/10:44 FR 70796/70798 - Withdrawl of proposed rule
80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82481 - Notice of review
83/06/15:48 FR 32520/32522 - Proposed rule for this species
84/05/29:49 FR 22326/22329 - Final rule - listed as Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Cowania subintegra is a rare Arizona edaphic endemic,
restricted to nutrient deficient calcareous soils (01). Arizona
cliffrose has only been found on late Tertiary and Quaternary
lacustrine (freshwater) beds in the four localities: Burro Creek,
Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Horseshoe Dam, and Bylas vicinities.
Arizona cliffrose is found on low, arid hillsides between 625 m
(2050 feet) and 1037 m (3500 feet (3660)) elevation (23,25).
All the sites consist of limy-tuff soils derived from lacustrine
lake bed deposits (01). All soils are classified as sandy loams;
gravel content is significantly lower in Arizona cliffrose soils than
in adjacent soils, reflecting their depositional environment in basins
(01). Clay and silt content are not significantly higher in their
basins, than in adjacent soils. The mean value for pH is 8.3 (01).
On-site soil samples are lower in phosphorous and organic matter and
higher in magnesium than off-site samples. There are also large, but
statistically nonsignificant, differences in calcium and nitrate
levels, which are lower in the on-site soils. These soils do not have
the extremely low Ca:Mg ratio of serpentine soils, however; they fall
within the normal range of 2:1 (01). The lower levels of phosphorus,
nitrate, and organic matter are an indication of the infertility of
these soils. On-site and off-site samples at the Dead Horse Ranch
State Park locality were not significantly different in phosphorus and
organic matter, suggesting that Arizona cliffrose is not necessarily
limited to infertile soils (01). See Anderson (01) for more detail.
Each of the three lacustrine soils tested (Burro Creek, Dead
Horse State Park, Bylas) by Anderson were deposited within basins
quite removed from each other and consequently had different sources
of eroded parent material and ash flows. Burrow Creek was over twice
as high in potassium as the other sites, Bylas was over twice as high
in magnesium as the other sites, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park was
highest in phosporus and organic matter of the three (01).
The Burro Creek area east of Highway 93 is extremely complex
geologically, with various parent materials such as basalt, granite
gneiss, granite, limestone and tuff being exposed (35). Parent
materials on Cowania subintegra sites consist of slightly
metamorphosed volcanic ash deposits and dolomitic limestone. Soils
are a shallow to moderately deep sherty clay loam. Gypsum was not
detected at this locality (08). Arizona cliffrose is found on all
aspects of the hills and terraces, and is found on slopes varying from
0-40 degrees. Plants occur on or along a graded road, the Southern
Union Gas Co. pipeline right-of-way and the A2 Electric Power Coop.,
Inc. high voltage powerline. Juvenile plants were present along a
fenced ungrazed highway right-of-way (05).
At the upper end of the Verde Basin at Dead Horse Ranch State
Park locality, the Verde formation is a Pliocene limestone with
interbedded classic and tuffaceous sediments (20). Greatest densities
of Cowania subintegra were found an open, flat ridge-tops or other
level areas. Dense stands were also noted along shallow, first order
drainages. It occurred on all but the steepest slopes. Cowania
subintegra was found rooted in either white calcareous soils derived
Habitat Associations - 1 from a limestone member of the Verde Formation, red soils formed from
a calcareous red sandy member of the Verde Formation of a mixture of
both (25). C. subintegra was not found on the Verde formation at the
southern end of the basin (01), which is stratigraphically lower and
contains Miocene evaporite deposits (20).
At the Horseshoe Dam locality, an unnamed lacustrine deposit
outcrops here along the Verde River in a small unnamed basin between
the Matzatzal Mountains on the east and the New River Mountains to the
west. The calcareous substrates are a mixture of materials,
principally volcanic ashes with some limestone that had been weathered
and transported from original sites and redeposited in river and lake
bottoms. The calcium carbonate content of these materials is high and
results in an alkaline soil. The poorly consolidated tuffs and
sediments which characterized much of the formation are highly
unstable and erode rapidly, especially on the more steeply dipping
outcrops (23).
At Bylas Cowania subintegra grows on gypsum ridges on residual
soil, not on decomposed substrate (05). BLM soil scientists at
Phoenix and Safford District offices believe that the soils developed
on the Arizona cliffrose outcrops are most closely related to the
Retriever Series. Retriever soils are shallow gravelly loams that
develop over limestone bedrock. The soils on the Burro Creek outcrop
differ from the Retriever Series in having a high clay content as well
as an abundance of chert nodule on the surface (07). A portion of the
Bylas population occurs on U.S. Highway 70 right-of-way.
The Arizona cliffrose localities are characterized by no freezing
days (periods of 36 hours duration), up to 138 days with maximum
temperature exceeding 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees F), up to
102 nights with minimum temperature below freezing (01,37).
The average annual precipitation is at least 25.7 cm
(10.2 inches) (01). Precipitation during summer thunderstorms occurs
when moist air moves northwestward over the state from the Gulf of
Mexico. Arizona winter storms develop from frontal advances
originating in the Pacific Northwest and much of the moisture is lost
over the high mountainous terrain as snow (37). The winter/summer
precipitation ratio is within 55-45 percent or vice versa (01).
Arizona cliffrose occurs in the shrub and brush rangeland land
use/land cover association. The vegetation is characterized by
scattered shrubs and small trees 1 to 2 m (3-6 feet) in height,
perennial herbs and grasses, and seasonally annuals (01,07,11,12,14,
23,25). Arizona cliffrose also occurs in Dead Horse Ranch State Park,
which is in the other urban or built-up land use/land cover
association. Information on percent ground cover is not available.
The Burrow Creek population occurs on approximately 243 ha
(600 acres) and consists of several hundred plants (07). A small
segment of this population was observed to have a density of 37 plants
per ha (15 plants per acre) (21). The Bylas population occurs on
approximately 40.5 ha (100 acres) and consists of about 100-150
plants. Together at the time of listing, these two populations were
estimated to contain approximately 700 plants (33). Most of the
Cowania plants observed in the Horseshoe Dam area are C. stansburiana
or hybrids. Only on one exceptionally white, barren, north-facing
slope did Anderson (01) find about 50 Arizona cliffrose plants.
Reichenbacher (23), surveying the same area, reported far fewer
plants.
By far the largest population of Arizona cliffrose is in the Dead
Horse Ranch State Park vicinity. During a survey of the Coconino
Forest portion of this population Schaack and Morefield (25) came up
with an estimate of 49,000 plants occurring in the 208.5 ha
(515 acres) surveyed, or an estimated density of 235 plants per ha
(95 plants per acre). However, the authors stated that "considering
Habitat Associations - 2 that morphologic evaluation alone is not sufficient to detect all
progeny of hybrid origin, particularly those that are only slightly
contaminated, the number of C. subintegra actually in the population
is probably lower than estimated."
The sites can all be considered part of the Larrea tridentata-
Canotia holocantha (Creosotebush--Crucifixion-thorn) series of the
Arizona Upland Subdivision of the Sonoran Desertscrub (06) because
Canotia holocantha is a dominant at each site. Although Canotia
holocantha is its most constant associate across the 200 mile range,
Creosotebush is only associated at one site (01). Larrea stops
abruptly where the lacustrine deposits begin and is apparently
intolerant of the soil derived from them at Burrow Creek, Horseshoe
Dam, and Bylas (01), although it is a dominant species of the adjacent
vegetation. Cowania subintegra north of Burrow Creek is associated
with a Juniper-Sonoran Desertscrub vegetation type of the Great Basin
Conifer Woodland (06).
Other dominant woody species at more than one site are: Aloysia
wrightii (Wright lippia), Baileya multiradiata (desert marigold),
Berberis haematocarpa (red barberry), Ceanothus greggii, Dalea formosa
(feather plume), Dyssodia acerosa (dogweed), Eriogonum inflatum
(desert trumpet), Forsellesia nevadense, Fouqueria splendens
(Ocotillo), Gutierrezia sarothrae (snakeweed), Juniperus monosperma
(one-seed juniper), Krameria parvifolia (little-leaved ratany),
Oryzopsis hymenoides (Indian ricegrass), Parthenium incanum, Tiquillia
canescens (shrubby coldenia), and Ziziphus obtusifolia (gray-thorn)
(01,07,11,12,14,21,23,25).
Range disjunctions of several species also parallel the disjunct
pattern of Arizona cliffrose. Three Chihuahuan Desert species,
Polygala macradenia (milk wort), P. scaperioides (milk wort), and
Thamnosma texana, reach the northwestern edge of their ranges with
disjunctions on these deposits; nine species of northern origins,
Astragalus calycosus var. scaposus, A. newberryi var. aquarii,
Eriogonum apachense (endemic, nearest relative on the Rim), E.
ericifolium var. ericifolium, E. ripleyi, Lesquerella cinerea,
Penstemon thompsonia (Thompson penstemon), Physaria newberryi
(newberry twinpod), and Streptanthus cordatus (twist flower), are
disjunct into the Sonoran Desert from the Colorado Plateau (01).
Habitat Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
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 Human Association: Public residential parks
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The Arizona cliffrose is a shrub (01,05,07,15,21).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (01,05,07,15,21).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (07,15,21).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
The germination date is unknown. Leafing and budding occur in
the spring while flowering starts from late March to April. Fruit
appears immediately after flowering (01,07,21,23,25).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (01,07,15,21).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Unknown (32,36).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Amount and variation in annual seed production, seed viability
and longevity, percent germination, dormancy requirements, and
germination requirements are unknown (07,32,36). Seeds collected from
the Burro Creek population appeared to be non-viable (07), but normal
seed was observed in the Dead Horse Ranch State Park locality (25).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Limiting factors for Arizona cliffrose include restriction to
nutrient deficient calcareous soils with lower levels of phosphorus,
nitrate, and organic matter than adjacent soils on late Tertiary and
Quaternary lacustrine (freshwater) beds; no freezing day (periods of
36 hours duration); temperature and precipitation amounts and
patterns, with winter summer precipitation ratio is within 55-45
percent or visa versa (01,37).
Population densities of Arizona cliffrose range from 37-237
plants per ha (15-95 plants per acre) (21,25). The main mortality
appears to be due to cattle, mule deer, and feral burrow browsing (05,
07,21,23,32,33,34); juvenile plants were present along a fenced
ungrazed highway right-of-way (05), and in the large Dead Horse Ranch
State Park population (25). The hybridization which occurs between
C. subintegra and C. stansburiana in cental Arizona may be affecting
the stability of the species in those populations although
C. subintegra seems to be maintaining its integrity, probably due to
some selective advantages of the genome in its restricted habitat
(25). Since survival/mortality rates, population trends, and the
effects of hybridization are unknown, it is difficult to assess
recovery potential. However, without the adverse impacts caused by
man, the species (or its precursor) has probably existed since the
Tertiary (01,16,34).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Cowania subintegra is restricted to nutrient deficent calcareous
soils (lower in phosporus, nitrate, and organic matter and higher in
magnesium than off-site samples (01)), on late Tertiary and Quaternary
lacustrine beds which are now low, arid hillsides between 625 m
(2050 feet) and 1037 m (3500 feet (3660)) elevation (23,25). Arizona
cliffrose is found on all aspects of the hills and terraces, and is
found on slopes varying from 0-40 degrees (07,25).
BLM soil scientists believe that the soils developed on the
Arizona cliffrose outcrops are most closely related to the Retriever
Series (07). All the sites consist of limey-tuff sandy loams; mean
value for pH is 8.3 (01). The basins are quite removed from each
other and consequently have different sources of eroded parent
material and ash flows. Parent materials at Burro Creek consist of
slightly metamorphosed volcanic ash deposits and dolomitic limestone
(08); at Dead Horse Ranch State Park locality, the Verde Formation is
a Pliocene limestone with interbedded clasic and tuffaceous sediments
(20); at the Horseshoe Dam locality, volcanic ashes with some
limestone which has been weathered and transported from original sites
and redeposited in river and lake bottoms (23); at Bylas gypsum ridges
with residual soil (05).
The Arizona cliffrose localities are characterized by no freezing
days (periods of 36 hours duration), up to 138 days with maximum
temperature exceeding 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees F), up to
102 nights with minimum temperature below freezing (01,37). The
average annual precipitation is at least 25.7 cm (10.2 inches) and the
winter/summer precipitation ratio is within 55-45 percent or visa
versa (01).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (01,07,15,21).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Subdominant, component (01,07,21,25); the Burro Creek population
occurs on approximately 243 ha (600 acres) and consists of several
hundred plants (07). The Bylas population occurs on approximately
40.5 ha (100 acres) and consists of about 100-150 plants (21,33).
Fifty (01) or fewer (23) Arizona cliffrose plants occur in the
Horseshoe Dam population. By far the largest population of Arizona
cliffrose is in the Dead Horse Ranch State Park vicinity, estimated at
49,000 plants occurring in the 208.5 ha (515 acres) surveyed, but
"the population is probably lower than estimated" (25). Densities
range from 37 plants/ha (15 plants per acre) at Burro Creek (21) to
235 plants per ha (95 plants per acre) in the Dead Horse Ranch State
Park population (25).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Arizona cliffrose sites are in the Larrea tridentata-Canotia
holocantha (creosote bush--Crucifixion-thorn) series of the Arizona
Upland Subdivision of the Sonoran Desert scrub (01,06). Canotia is
its most constant associate across the 200 mile range, but
creosote bush stops abruptly where the lacustrine deposits begin and
is apparently intolerant of the soil derived from them at Burrow
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
Creek, Horseshoe Dam, and Bylas (01), although it is a dominant
species of the adjacent vegetation. Cownaia subintegra north of Burro
Creek is associated with a Juniper-Sonoran Desert scrub vegetation
type of the Great Basin Conifer Woodland (01,06). The plant community
is climax, and stable (10,19). The vegetation is characterized by
scattered shrubs and small trees 1 to 2 m (3-6 feet) in height,
perennial herbs and grasses, and seasonally annuals (01,07,11,12,14,
21,23,25). No quantitative data are available on the associated
community.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Arizona cliffrose is apparently an important component in the
diet of mule deer (23,32).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
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 Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
At the time Arizona cliffrose was listed as an endangered
species, browsing by domestic livestock, feral burros and wildlife was
considered a major threat (05,07,21,30,33). At the Bylas population,
Bingham (05) noted that no young plants were observed in the grazed
open area, whereas juvenile plants were present along an adjacent
fenced ungrazed highway right-of-way. The Burro Creek site has been
given a range rating of fair condition with a static trend, indicating
overutilization of the range (30). Individual plants are in fair to
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
poor condition and are usually hedged. The main results of browsing
are poor plant vigor, poor reproduction, and lack of seedling
establishment. The Dead Horse Ranch State Park population is not
significantly impacted by cattle browsing (13,25). Reichenbacher (23)
noted more impact in the Horseshoe Dam population because adjacent
seeps attracted cattle and wildlife to the area.
BLM (Kingman District Office) has sent notices to the holders of
the rights-of-way stipulating terms and conditions to protect Arizona
cliffrose on the graded road, the Southern Union Gas Company pipeline,
and the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. high voltage power
line in the Burro Creek population (32). A portion of the Bylas
population occurs on U.S. Highway 70 right-of-way. Widening or
herbicides, if sprayed on top of the hill (8-20 feet above the road),
could destroy plants. However, current maintenance procedures do not
threaten the Cowania or its habitat and there are no plans to widen
the highway (33).
At the time of listing, there were 114 mining claims within a one
mile radius of the Burro Creek population (33). Areas within the
population had been bladed destroying habitat, to expose sub-surface
formation for mineral exploration. This is high quality clay used for
pharmaceutical purposes. There has been no activity by the clay
miners lately (32); it is not known to what extent the mineral
resources of the area will be developed.
Restriction of the species to a specialized soil type and its
distribution in small, disjunct populations with a resultant
restricted gene pool, are ecological factors which tend to intensify
the effects of threats to the species and its habitat (21). The
hybridization which occurs between C. subintegra and C. stansburiana
in cental Arizona may be affecting the stability of the species (25).
Seeds collected from the Burro Creek population appeared to be non-
viable. The lack of fertile seeds and seedling plants suggests that
reproduction at this site is not normal (07,32). Cowania subintegra
is not widely sought for horticultural or scientific purposes (34) as
well as an ornamental.
Habitat destruction through construction and maintenance of roads
and facilities continues to threaten populations of Cowania
subintegra. Arizona State Parks (ASP) is working with the Arizona
Department of Transportation (ADOT) to identify routes for an
alternative all-weather entry road to Dead Horse Ranch State Park
(09). Several of the potential alignments go through the major
portion of Cowania subintegra population in the area north of the Park
and in the Park.
The Cowania subintegra population located just west of Horseshoe
Dam is threatened by inundation at the maximum high water level of the
proposed Cliff Dam. A proposed road to a new recreational area on the
lake also threatens plants. The Bureau of Reclamation is working with
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Ecological Services to
mitigate impacts of this proposed dam on Cowania subintegra and other
protected species (23,28).
In the future off-road-vehicle (ORV) abuse in Arizona cliffrose
populations could be a definite threat, if not properly regulated,
because of the "badland" nature of much of the terrain. Portions of
three of the populations (Burrow Creek, Dead Horse Ranch State Park,
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
Horseshoe Dam) are in or adjacent to developed recreation areas, and
ORV use is becoming a more serious problem on Federal lands (29,32,
36).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for the Arizona
Cliffrose. Tech. Review Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
Albuquerque, NM 47 pp.
The primary objective of the recovery plan for the Arizona
cliffrose is to remove threats to this plant. Populations on Federal
lands should be protected by:
1) enforceing existing laws and regulations (Endangered Species Act,
Lacey Act, and the Arizona Native Plant Law (ARS 3-901B),
2) preparing and implementing habitat management plans,
3) preparing mineral feasibility reports and controlling mineral
exploration to control further habitat destruction,
4) managing ORV use within known populations,
5) managing livestock grazing and feral burros,
6) establishing special land designations,
7) developing cooperative agreements between BLM, BIA, USFS, BR, and
FWS, and
8) monitoring populations and habitat.
Populations on state and private lands should be protected through
items 1, 2, 7, and 8 above.
The Arizona cliffrose needs to be studied in its natural habitat.
Information is needed on: (1) its soil needs, (2) the role of
herbivores and pollinators, (3) the role of fire, (4) life history
requirements, (5) demographic trends, and (6) hybridization
(electrophoretic and morphological analysis) with
Cowania stansburiana. The results of ongoing and proposed studies
should be used to determine environmental parameters defining and
restricting habitat so that all potential habitat can be identified.
New information should also be used to revise habitat management
plans. All suitable habitat thus defined should be inventoried to
make an accurate estimate of occupied habitat, the number of plants
in the wild, and determine land ownership if not already known.
Efforts to develop public awareness, appreciation, and support for the
preservation of the Arizona agave are also needed.
Ongoing Recovery Activities: BLM and USFS are working to limit
impacts of livestock grazing on known populations. Permanent
transects have been established in the Burro Creek (BLM) and Dead
Horse Ranch State Park populations. The State of Arizona Department
of Transportation has been contacted concerning protection of this
species and has agreed to notify the Service if future road
construction or maintenance activities could adversely impact this
species. Herbicide and pesticide use along highway right-of-ways is
included among these maintenance activities and have been limited.
Studies on the impact of browsing on Arizona cliffrose are beginning
using utilization cages, fecal analysis and photos. Propagation
studies have been initiated by the Arboretum at Flagstaff. Springwood
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
cuttings show the best results when being propagated for
reintroduction into the Arizona cliffrose habitat. BR and FS funded a
survey on Prescott National Forest in 1986. BR has funded an
electrophoretic and morphological analysis on Cowania subintegra. The
study is in progress.
Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Anderson, J.L. 1986. Biogeographical analysis of Cowania
subintegra Kearney (Rosaceae), an Arizona Sonoran Desert endemic.
MS Thesis. AZ State Univ., Tempe, AZ.
02 Axelrod, D.L. 1958. Evolution of the Madro-Tertiary Geoflora.
Bot. Rev. 7:433-509.
03 Axelrod, D.L. 1972. Edaphic aridity as a factor in angiosperm
evolution. The Amer. Nat. 106:311-320.
04 Baker, M.A., et al. 1984. On Cowania and its intergeneric hybrids
in Arizona. Great Basin Naturalist 44:484-486.
05 Bingham, S.B. 1977. Proposed endangered and threatened plant
species in the upper Gila-San Simon environmental impact statement
area. Bur. of Land Mgmt., Safford, AZ.
06 Brown, D.E. 1982. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-
United States and Mexico. Desert Plants 4:1-342.
07 Butterwick, M. 1979. Status report of Cowania subintegra. Bur.
of Land Mgmt., Phoenix, AZ.
08 Butterwick, M. 1983. Memorandum to Assistant Regional Director
concerning the FWS proposal to list Cowania subintegra as an
endangered species. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
09 Charpio, D. 1986. Letter to Bob Gillies, District Ranger, Sedona
Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, concerning an entry road
crossing the Coconino National Forest.
10 Cottam, G. 1956. The use of distance measures in
phytosociological sampling. Ecology 37:451-460.
11 Gierisch, R.K. 1976. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study area notes - Cowania subintegra - Bylas.
12 Gierisch, R.K. 1977. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study notes - Cowania subintegra - Burro Creek.
13 Gillies, R. 1986. Pers. comm. Sedona Ranger District, Coconino
National Forest, Sedona, AZ.
14 Hurd and Albee. 1976. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study area notes - Cowania subintegra - Burro Creek.
15 Kearney, T.H. 1943. A new cliffrose from Arizona. Madrono
7:15-18.
16 McArthur, E.D., et al. 1983. Taxonomy, distribution, and
cytogenetics of Purshia, Cowania, and Fallugia (Rosoidea,
Rosaceae). Research and mgmt. of bitterbrush and cliffrose in
western North America. USDA Forest Serv., Ogden, UT. pp. 4-24.
17 McArthur, E.D. and S.C. Sanderson. 1985. A cytotaxonomic
contribution to the western North American rosaceous taxa. Madrono
32:24-28.
18 McCarten, N. 1979. Letter to Jill Mazzoni, Museum of Northern AZ,
Flagstaff, AZ.
19 Mueller-Dombois, D. and H. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and methods of
vegetation ecology. John Wiley & Sons., Inc., NY.
20 Nations, J.D., et al. 1981. Paleontology, paleoecology, and
depositional history of the Miocene-Pliocene Verde Formation,
Yavapi County, Arizona. AZ Geological Soc. Digest 13:133-149.
21 Phillips, A.M., et al. 1980. Status report - Cowania subintegra
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
Kearney. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
22 Pinkava, D.J., et al. 1970. Plants new to Arizona flora-III and
new distribution records of noteworthy species. Journ. of the AZ
Acad. of Sci. 6:134.
23 Reichenbacher, F.W. 1986. Cliff Dam Cowania subintegra and
Eriogonum riplevi surveys. U.S. Bur. of Reclamation, Purchase
Order No. 6-PG-32-11810.
24 Schaack, C.G. 1986. Letter to Peggy Olwell, U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
25 Schaack, C.G. and J.D. Morefield. 1985. Field survey for Cowania
subintegra Kearney, Coconino National Forest. USDA Forest Serv.
26 Schaack, C.G., et al. 1985. Cowania subintegra Kearney
(Rosaceae). Madrono 32:121-128.
27 Stebbins, G.L. 1952. Aridity as a stimulus to plant evolution.
The American Naturalist 86:33-44.
28 U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Tonto National Forest Plan. USDA
Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
29 U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Coconino National Forest Plan. USDA
Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
30 U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1982. Big Sandy Herd Management
Area Plan. Phoenix Dist. Office, Phoenix, AZ.
31 U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1986. Cowania subintegra
monitoring plan. Kingman Dist. Office, Kingman, AZ.
32 U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1986. Pers. comm. to Dr. Arthur
Phillips, Museum of Northern Arizona. Kingman, AZ.
33 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Final rule to determine
Cowania subintegra (Arizona cliffrose) to be an endangered species.
Fed. Reg. 49:22326-22329.
34 Van Devender, T.R. 1980. Status report: Cowania subintegra. AZ
Natural Heritage Prog., Tucson, AZ.
35 Wilson, E.D. and R.T. Moore. 1959. Geologic map of Mohave County,
Arizona. AZ Bur. of Mines, Univ. of AZ, Tucson.
36 Goodwin, G. 1986. Pers. comm. to Dr. B. Phillips, Museum of
Northern Arizona. Coconino National Forest; Flagstaff, AZ.
37 Sellers, W.D. and R.H. Hill. 1974. Arizona climate 1931-1972.
Univ. of AZ Press, Tucson.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Anderson, J.L. 1986. Biogeographical analysis of Cowania
subintegra kearney (Rosaceae), an Arizona Sonoran Desert endemic.
MS Thesis. AZ State Univ., Tempe, AZ.
02 Bingham, S.B. 1977. Proposed endangered and threatened plant
species in the upper Gila-San Simon environmental impact statement
area. Bur. of Land Mgmt., Safford, AZ.
03 Butterwick, M. 1979. Status report of Cowania subintegra. Bur.
of Land Mgmt., AZ State office, Phoenix.
04 Gierisch, R.K. 1976. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study area notes - Cowania subintegra - Bylas. August 26, 1976.
05 Gierisch, R.K. 1977. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study area notes - Cowania subintegra - Burro Creek. April 18,
1977.
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CLIFFROSE, ARIZONA
Species Id ESIS702031
Date 13 MAR 96
06 Goodwin, G. 1985. Pers. comm. Mus. of Northern AZ, Forest
Supervisors Office, Flagstaff, AZ.
07 Hurd, and Albee. 1976. Threatened and endangered species habitat
study area notes - Cowania subintegra Burro Creek. Sept. 16, 1976.
08 Kearney, T.H. 1943. A new cliffrose from Arizona. Madrono
7:15-18.
09 Nations, J.D., et al. 1981. Paleontology, paleoecology, and
depositional history of the Miocene-Pliocene Verde Formation,
Yavapai County, Arizona. AZ Geological Soc. Digest 13:133-149.
10 Phillips, A.M. 1981. Letter 26 August 1981 to Sandra Limerick,
OES, U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
11 Phillips, A.M., et al. 1980. Status report - Cowania subintegra
Kearney. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
12 Pinkava, D.J., et al. 1970. Plants new to Arizona flora-III and
new distribution records of noteworthy species. Jour. of the AZ
Acad. of Sci. 6:134.
13 Reichenbacher, F.W. 1986. Cliff Dam Cowania subintegra and
Eriogonum ripleyi surveys. U.S. Bur. of Reclamation, Purchase
Order No. 6-PG-32-11810.
14 Schaack, C.G. and J.D. Morefield. 1985. Field survey for Cowania
subintegra Kearney, Coconino National Forest. Rept. for Coconino
NF, USDA Forest Serv.
15 Schaack, C.G., et al. 1985. Cowania subintegra Kearney
(Rosaceae). Madrono 32:121-128.
16 U.S. Department of Interior. 1986. Pers. comm. to Dr.'s Phillips.
Bur. of Land Mgmt., Kingman, AZ.
17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Final rule to determine
Cowania subintegra (Arizona cliffrose) to be an endangered species.
Fed. Reg. 49:22326-22329.
18 Van Devender, T.R. 1980. Status report: Cowania subintegra. AZ
Nat. Heritage Prog., Tucson, AZ.
References - 3