(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - FLEABANE, RHIZOME
OTHER COMMON NAMES - FLEABANE, RHIZOME; FLEABANE and ZUNI; FLEABANE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - ASTERALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ASTERACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ERIGERON,
SPECIES AND SSP - RHIZOMATUS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ERIGERON RHIZOMATUS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Rhizome Fleabane
Erigeron rhizomatus Cronq.
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Asterales FAMILY: Asteraceae
Rhizome fleabane is a perennial herb with a slender upright
subterranean stem having the form of a creeping rhizome, this giving
off at intervals arenate-ascending slender branches which, on reaching
the surface become erect aerial stems (01). The stems are sparsely or
moderately strigose, the flowering ones sparsely leafy, the sterile
ones, which arise as branches near the base of the flowering stems,
densely leafy. The leaves are longer than the internodes, glabrous or
nearly so, ranging from narrowly oblong to near linear, mostly about
1 cm long and up to 3 mm wide (01). The heads are solitary, 13-16 mm
wide with 25-45 pronounced blue or white ligules, each 6-7 mm long and
1.3-1.5 mm wide. The phyllaries are imbricate in several series.
They are firm, long acuminate, and yellowish-green with a slightly
darker mid-rib. The achenes are 5-6 nerved, nearly glabrous, with a
pappus of 25-35 fragile bristles, and a few short bristles (01).
Erigeron rhizomatus clearly belongs to the section Wyomingia of
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
the genus Erigeron. However, it does not seem closely related to any
other known species. Its subglabrous leaves and involucres separate
it from anything else in the section (01). The taxonomic history of
rhizome fleabane (another common name Zuni fleabane) is quite clear.
It has never been put into synonomy with any other species (02). The
type specimen was collected by Ripley and Barneby # 5272 on May 16,
1943. The type collection is housed at the New York Botanical Garden.
Current collections of this species are housed at UNM, NMSU and ALB.
Slides of the rhizome fleabane are available through the Regional
Forest Service Botanist in Albuquerque. Line drawings are available
through the New Mexico Department of Natural Resources in Santa Fe,
New Mexico. Another common name used in the Federal Register (Notice
of review - 50 FR 39526-39527) is fleabane.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The rhizome fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus) has been designated as
Threatened 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 States of
Arizona and New Mexico.
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.
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
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
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
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: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Ariz. Game and Fish Department
STATE STATUTE: Admin. Rules and Regs. Sec. 12-4-210.
STATE: New Mexico
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: NM Energy, Minerals, & Nat. Resour. Dept.
STATE STATUTE: NM Stat. Annot., Sec. 1, Sec. 9-10-10, 1978.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species may be of value for some of its yet undetermined
phytochemical products and it has value as a component of New Mexico's
natural heritage of biotic diversity.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27824 - Notice of review
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed rule
79/12/10:44 FR 70796/70798 - Withdrawal of proposed rule
80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82569 - Continued notice of review
84/04/24:49 FR 17548/17551 - Proposed rule
85/04/26:50 FR 16680/16682 - Final rule, listed as Threatened
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Evergreen Forest Land
Mixed Barren Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The rhizome fleabane (Zuni fleabane) is found in pinyon-
juniper woodland in an elevational range of 7300-8000 feet. It
prefers slopes of up to 40 degrees, usually on a north facing aspect,
but also occurs on east and western exposures. It never occurs on
southern aspects (02,03,05). The Zuni fleabane occurs in an area that
receives between 14-16 inches of rainfall a year, with approximately
120-140 days a year without a killing frost. The last killing frost
in the spring occurs approximately May 20, and the first killing frost
in the fall occurs approximately September 25 (11).
It is often directly associated with Pinus edulis (Pinyon pine),
Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper), Quercus gambellii
(Gambel oak), Atriplex canescens and Cerococarpus montanus (05,06,07).
The rhizome fleabane is found on a red detrital clay normally
derived from the Chinle shale or Baca formations. This plant grows in
a zone of Chinle shale and associated soils in the pinyon-juniper
landtype. The Zuni Mountain population is found on loose, decaying
slopes of the Chinle shale formations (12). The Zuni Mountains clay
substrate on which Erigeron rhizomatus grows is of Chinle origin, and
was deposited during the mesozoic era. However, the Datil and
Sawtooth Mountain populations are on the Baca formation, a
structurally similar redbed clay of Eocene-Oligocene origin (08).
Although the Baca and Chinle formations are of radically different
temporal origins they may be related in their fundamental composition.
It has been clearly demonstrated the Baca formation in Catron County
is the result of fluvial deposition of reworked sedimentary strata
eroded from sedimentary rocks north and west of the Datil range (09).
It is quite likely the Baca formation in the Datil and Sawtooth
Mountains is the product of reworked Chinle material carried in from
the north and west during fluvial and lucastrine activities in the
late Eocene. If so it is quite likely that the Baca formation is
chemically similar to the Chinle shale. The rhizome fleabane is found
where these formations are in the process of decay, resulting in the
formation of a steep, easily erodable slope which does not crust over.
Occasionally some of the plants will develop on soils where a surface
crust has formed, but the bulk of the populations prefer the coarse
particulate material little degraded from the parent rock (05,10).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
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 Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The rhizome fleabane is an herb (01).
LIFE CYCLE:
This species is a long lived perennial that forms large
rhizomatus clumps (01,03).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
The plants sets fertile seeds which are presumed to be from
sexual reproduction rather than apomictic means (01,02,03,04).
However, the plant also reproduces by pronounced spreading rhizomes
that lead to the formation of localized clonal groups (01,03,04).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
The germination date is unknown but probably early spring.
Leaves appear from late March to early April. Budding occurs from
late April through May. Flowers are produced from late May through
June with fruit noticeable between mid-June and August. Seed
dispersal occurs from late June through August (01,02,03,04). No
major variation is known (02,04).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (01,03). There is ample evidence that this species
reproduces by seed as well as through rhizomes. However, there is no
documentation to clearly show that it is not apomictic. Some members
of the Asteraceae reproduce in this fashion. To date there is no
evidence that any of the genus Erigeron are apomictic (04).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
This species is visited by a variety of insects and would be
considered a generalist (03,04). To date there is no evidence of seed
predation, but many members of the Asteraceae are subject to seed
predation by insects (04). There is no evidence to suggest what
effects that habitat modification would have on the parent plants
(03,04). The seeds (achenes) are capped with a pronounced bristly
pappus which is well suited for wind dispersion. It is also possible
that these bristles could adhere to animal fur or bird feathers and
provide a mechanism for dispersion (01,02,04).
SEED BIOLOGY:
At present there is virtually nothing known about the seed
biology of this species, short of the fact that it does produce seed.
The New Mexico Department of Natural Resources is planning to
undertake work on seed production and viability, commencing
approximately in the summer of 1987 (03,04).
It should be noted that this plant produces numerous flowering
heads with large numbers of seeds. As such each plant is an enormous
reservoir of seed potential (03,04).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Rhizome fleabane is often a rather diffusely distributed species.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
A dense population might contain a few hundred plants spread over
several acres. In some cases you may find only one plant every
several hundred yards (03). The largest limiting factor for this
species is the presence or absence of its preferred micro-habitat. It
needs the proper substrate (eg. Chinle of Baca formation), at the
right elevation, on a gentle slope with the right exposure. Even if
all of these conditions are met, the plant might not occur on the
site. In general, most of the known populations are composed of
mature plants with few juveniles. However, the wet seasons we have
had in recent years has supported significant reproduction, and many
of the populations have devoloping young plants (03,04). Zuni
fleabane appears to be long lived, forming large spreading clumps.
The chief cause of mortality for this species is surface disturbance.
Recovery involves preventing such disturbance (03,04).
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
The rhizome fleabane occurs on red detrital clay derived from
either the mesozoic Chinle formation of the Eocene Baca formation (02,
03,04). All of the populations in the Zuni Mountains are on Chinle
shale soils (03). However, the Datil and Sawtooth Mountain sites are
on elements of the Baca formation (03,04). The Baca and Chinle
formations are of radically different temporal origins however they
have the same fundemental composition (09). It appears that the Baca
formation is a fluvial deposition of reworked Chinle material carried
in from the north and west during the fluvial and lacustrine activity
of the late Eocene in New Mexico (09). Zuni fleabane prefers exposed
slopes of up to 40 degrees on north, east and west facing exposures.
It never occurs on southerly exposures (03). All known populations of
this species occur between 7300-8000 feet in elevation (02). In
general, it occurs in areas that receive 14-16 inches of precipitation
a year, with approximately 120-140 frost free days (11). The plants
tend to prefer the coarse particulate clay like soils little degraded
from the parent rock (05,10).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (01,02). There is no obvious variation in trophic
status, nor any indication of a host symbiont relationship (01,03,04).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The rhizome fleabane is a minor component of the surrounding
pinyon-juniper woodland. It is highly localized to those areas within
the surrounding woodland where the soil type and preferred exposure
are adequate to support its micro-habitat (03,04,05). It appears
wholly reactive to the substrate on which it occurs and has no
significant influence on the surrounding community (03,04,05).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
The rhizome fleabane is a minor localized component of the
pinyon-juniper woodland (05). It is normally associated with Pinus
edulis (Pinyon pine), Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper),
Cercocarpus montanus, Quercus gambellii (Gambel oak), Chrysothamnus
nauseousus and Atriplex canescens (03,04,05). This community type is
widespread over the mid-elevations of the southwestern United States.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
It is highly stable and requires heavy impact to revert to a
successional stage (03). However, the Erigeron occurs on a highly
specific micro-habitat within this community, which is highly
susceptible to disturbance (03,04).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None (02,04).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Although there is no physical evidence to link the rhizome
fleabane with specific properties of the substrate on which it occurs,
it should be noted that it invariably thrives near uranium deposits.
Such soils are known to be high in Selenium. The plant has somewhat
of an ill odor and bad taste. It might prove to be a selenium
indicator and possibly concentrator of this element (03,04).
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
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
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Underground Mines
Existing Underground Mines
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The primary threat to the rhizome fleabane or Zuni fleabane,
(Erigeron rhizomatus) is disturbance due to exploration, mining,
transportation and processing of uranium ore (i.e., habitat
destruction and heavy equipment resulting in surface disturbance) (02,
03). This species seems to intimately associated with formations that
contain known reserves of uranium (03). The mining operations of
either shaft or pit mines would have a devastating effect on adjacent
populations of Erigeron rhizomatus. The soil on which rhizome
fleabane grows is a highly errodable clay (02). The population on
BLM Administered land occurs on an allotment under moderate cattle
grazing use (12). Trampling and the subsequent erosion could damage
the population and its habitat (12). Vandalism poses a threat to the
survival of this species (12). In addition to mining, activities such
as off-road vehicle traffic on these clay hills could adversely impact
the plant. At present such traffic near the population sites is
infrequent. However, if mining operations are applied in the area the
consequent construction of new roads and access would probably
increase the incident of ORV traffic (02,04).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for Zuni
fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus). (Tech. Draft). U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. 39 pp.
The primary objectives of the recovery plan are to protect
existing populations of Erigeron rhizomatus (rhizome fleabane) by
removing threats to the species and by managing its habitat by:
1) enforcing existing laws and regulations (The Endangered
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
Species Act, Lacey Act, and New Mexico Rare Plant Act;
2) documenting and assessing the potential for mineral or
other development on or near population sites;
3) developing cooperative agreements with the Bureau of Land
Management for the withdrawal of rhizome fleabane habitat
from future mineral exploration, lease, or development, and
with the U.S. Forest Service to monitor habitat for adverse
effects of mineral exploration or development, off-road
vehicle use, or other events and to establish monitoring
plots to gather biological and demographic data,
construction of new roads and access would probably
increase the incident of ORV traffic, and;
4) developing and implementing a habitat management plan for
the species and its habitat.
It will also be important to study rhizome fleabane populations
in their natural habitat to determine:
1) soil requirements (and the effect of acid rain or dry acid
deposition on the soil);
2) water needs;
3) pollinators;
4) seed predators and dispersers;
5) geology of occupied habitat;
6) life history requirements;
7) demographic variation in Erigeron rhizomatus;
8) parameters for germination and ex situ propagation, and;
9) reintroduction potential.
It is also necessary to conduct an inventory of all suitable
habitat for other populations. Laboratory studies on the seed biology
and chemical makeup of plant tissue are also recommended. The results
of these studies should be used to revise the habitat management plan.
Finally, the development of E. rhizomatus is needed.
Current recovery activity: Monitoring plots have been established
by the State of New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Natural
Resources is planning to undertake work on seed production and
viability, commencing approximately in the summer of 1987.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species FLEABANE, RHIZOME
Species Id ESIS702035
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Cronquist, A. 1947. A revision of the North American species of
Erigeron, north of Mexico. Brittonia 6:274-275.
02 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for Zuni
fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus). Tech. Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. 39 pp.
03 Fletcher, R. 1987. Pers. comm. Regional botanist, U.S. Forest
Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
04 Knight, P.J. 1987. Pers. comm. NM Dept. of Energy, Minerals, and
Nat. Resour. Corrales, NM.
05 Fletcher, R. 1978. Report on Erigeron rhizomatus. U.S. Forest
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. (Unpubl.).
06 Martin, W.C. and C.R. Hutchins. 1980. A flora of New Mexico.
J. Kramer Press Germany. 2591 pp.
07 Sabo, D.G. 1982. Status report for Erigeron rhizomatus. U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
08 Lucas, S.G. 1983. The Baca formation and the Eocene-Oligocene
boundary in New Mexico. N.M. Geological Soc. Guidebook, 34th field
Conf., Socorro Region. pp. 179-185.
09 Cather, S.M. 1983. Lacustrine deposits of the Eocene Baca
formation, Western Socorro County, New Mexico. NM Geol. Soc.
Guidebook, 34th Field Conf., Socorro Region. pp. 179-185.
10 Wagner, W.L. and D.G. Sabo. 1977. Status report of Erigeron
rhizomatus. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
11 Tuan, Y., et al. 1973. The climate of New Mexico. The NM State
Planning office, Santa Fe, NM. 197 pp.
12 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; final rule to determine Erigeron rhizomatus
to be a Threatened species. Fed. Reg. 50:16680-16682.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for Zuni
fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus). Tech. Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. 39 pp.
02 Cronquist, A. 1947. A revision of North American species of
Erigeron, north of Mexico. Brittonia 6:274-275.
03 Fletcher, R. 1978. Report on Erigeron rhizomatus. U.S. Forest
Serv., Albuquerque, NM. (Unpubl.).
04 Fletcher, R. 1986. Maps and unpublished notes. U.S. Forest
Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
05 Fletcher, R. 1986. Pers. comm. U.S. Forest Serv., Albuquerque,
NM.
06 House, D. 1986. Pers. comm. Bur. of Indian Affairs, Window Rock,
AZ.
References - 1