(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BLADDER-POD and MISSOURI; BLADDER-POD;BLADDERPOD
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CAPPARALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - BRASSICACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - LESQUERELLA,
SPECIES AND SSP - FILIFORMIS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - LESQUERELLA FILIFORMIS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Missouri Bladder-pod
Lesquerella filiformis Rollins
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Capparales FAMILY: Brassicaceae
Lesquerella filiformis is an annual plant in the mustard family,
about 4-8 inches tall, with slender, wiry stems. Plants are silvery
in appearance due to a dense covering of stellate hairs. Basal leaves
are spathulate and about 3/8 to 7/8 inches long. Stem leaves are
simple, strap-shaped and 3/8 to 1-1/4 inches long. Flowers occur at
the tops of the stems in indeterminate inflorescences. Individual
flowers are 1/4 to 3/8 inches long with four, bright-yellow petals.
Fruits are round capsules with 4 seeds each (10,18).
In early taxonomic literature, L. filiformis was covered under
the name Lesquerella angustifolia (17). This was repeated in other
works (03,16), and the name L. filiformis was first published by
Rollins in 1956 (18). This treatment was upheld in subsequent works
(05,20), including the recent 1973 monograph of the genus in North
America (19).
Rollins designated a 1929 collection by Palmer as the type
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
specimen (deposited at the Gray Herbarium). Isotypes are deposited at
the Field Museum of Natural History, Missouri Botanical Garden, New
York Botanical Garden and the U.S. National Herbarium (18,19).
A complete technical description is found in Rollins' 1956
publication of the name L. filiformis (18). Line drawings are found
in Gleason (1952) (05), and Steyermark (1963) (20). A color
photograph is found in Morgan (1984) (14). Specimens are deposited at
the following herbaria: COLO, F, GH, MO, NY, POM, SMS, UC, US
(10,19).
This species is also known by the common name bladder-pod or the
alternative spelling bladderpod.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Missouri bladder-pod (Lesquerella filiformis) 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 Missouri.
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.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
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).
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
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: Missouri
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Missouri Department of Conservation
STATE STATUTE: Revised Statutes of Missouri, Chapter 252,
Wildlife Code of Missouri (3CSR-4.111).
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Petition for listing
80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82569 - Notice of Review
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of Review (Plant Taxa)
86/03/07:51 FR 11874/11877 - Proposed rule
87/01/08:52 FR 00679/00682 - Final rule - Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Herbaceous Rangeland
Deciduous Forest Land
Bare Exposed Rock
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Lesquerella filiformis, Missouri bladder-pod occurs on
limestone glades, around rock outcrops in pastures and hay fields, and
on and along highways and transmission line corridor right-of-ways,
and in rocky open woods (09,15,20). The species occurs in areas of
shallow soils, usually growing with other annual species or with small
perennial species. These habitats are typically wet in the winter and
spring and dry in the summer (09). Precise micro-habitat conditions
required by the species (temperature, moisture, soil texture) are
unknown.
Lesquerella filiformis grows on limestone glades found in areas
where Burlington limestone of Mississippian age outcrops (08). Soils
mapped in areas of known populations include Goss and Gasconade-rock
outcrop complex (alfisols and mollisols) (02,06). L. filiformis grows
in areas of thin soil over the limestone bedrock. Scattered shrubs
and small saplings (oak/hickory) are also present in areas of deeper
soils near some populations. The Missouri bladder-pod has no real
association with the surrounding forest types in that alteration or
destruction of wooded area would not impact this species (23).
However, it does occur in the ecosystem composed of a mosaic of
bluestem prairie and oak-hickory forest.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
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
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The Missouri bladder-pod is an herb (19,20).
LIFE CYCLE:
Lesquerella filiformis is a winter annual, germinating in the
fall, overwintering in a basal rosette stage, then flowering and
fruiting in early spring (14). Seeds lie dormant through the summer,
then germinate in fall (01,09,14).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Lesquerella filiformis is an annual species, it only reproduces
sexually and produces seeds (09,11,12,14).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination occurs in the fall. Leafing occurs from late March
to early April. Budding and flowering occur during April and May.
Fruit appears from April to mid-June. Seed dispersal occurs from late
April to June (01,11,12,14).
Phenology varies from year to year with temperature and rainfall.
Plants flower earlier in years with an early spring, and continued
flowering depends on temperature and soil moisture. Once hot weather
arrives, plants disperse seed and die (09,11,12,14).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (19).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollen dissemination agents include insects; primarily small bees
in the family Halicitidae. Seed dissemination probably occurs through
wind and rainwater runoff (04,14).
SEED BIOLOGY:
The number of seeds produced annually fluctuates from year to
year depending on number of plants present, if plants are present, and
the amount of insect predation on seeds. Dormancy and germination
requirements are unknown, although seeds only germinate in the fall
(01,09,11,12,14).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Since L. filiformis is an annual species, the most critical point
in the life cycle is the breaking of seed dormancy. Environmental
factors such as temperature and soil moisture probably control seed
germination. Populations fluctuate in numbers and areal extent from
year to year and in some years plants do not appear. The number of
seeds present in the seed bank is a very important part of populations
that is difficult to assess (01,09,11,12,14,21,22).
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Lesquerella filiformis grows on limestone glades found in areas
where Burlingtion limestone of Mississippian age outcrops (08). Soils
mapped in areas of known populations include Goss and Gasconade-rock
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
outcrop complex (alfisols and mollisols) (02,06). L. filiformis grows
in areas of thin soil over the limestone bedrock, and these areas
tend to be wet in winter and early spring and dry in the summer.
Because the soils are very thin, temperatures may quickly change the
amount of soil moisture present. The glades are generally open, flat
to gently sloping, with no particular aspect. Elevations of mapped
populations range from 880 to 1230 feet. Disturbance is necessary to
control invasion of woody species on these glades (07,14,15,21,22).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (19).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (09,14). Lesquerella filiformis is a very small plant
that occurs in a community where many other species are present. In a
good year, it may be the dominant species in the habitat for a short
(2-3 weeks) span of time (09,14).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Lesquerella filiformis occurs in a limestone glade community,
where grasses, herbaceous prairie and glade species dominate. Shrubs
and small saplings are also present in areas of deeper soils.
Management is necessary to prevent invasion by woody species (14,15,
22). Associated species frequently found with L. filiformis are:
Arenaria patula, Camassia scilloides, Northoscordum bivalve, Opuntia
humifusa, Satureja arkansana, Tradescantia tharpii, Verbena
Canadensis, and a species of Sedum (21).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Timber Harvesting
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vegetation
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Lesquerella filiformis, Missouri bladder-pod is not a species
that has declined drastically in the recent past. It has never been
very widespread and is presently known from only ten locations in
three counties (07,21,22). Furthermore, most of these populations are
small (21). Limited distribution, lack of protected populations and
low population numbers are threats to long-term survival of the
species (21,22). Six sites occur on private land and most of these
are currently being grazed or hayed (07,09,22). Impacts of these
practices on L. filiformis are unknown. Two populations extend onto
highway rights-of-way and one occurs entirely on a right-of-way (07,
21). At the time of listing, highway maintenance (accidental mowing
at the wrong time of year and chemical treatments) were considered
threats (21). These sites are not directly threatened by routine
right-of-way maintenance at this time (i.e., mowing after September 1
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
at a height of 8 inches), but herbicide spraying to control woody
vegetation is a threat (21,22). A better understanding of the
population biology is needed as L. filiformis has been observed at
sites in some years, and in subsequent years these populations do not
reappear (09,11,14). Although three populations occur on protected
lands, management problems include encroachment by woody species,
competition from exotic species and insect predation of developing
seeds (09,11,12,14,21,22). Increased visitor use at Wilson's Creek
National Battlefield creates a disturbance for the plants which may
actually be beneficial. Hikers using the area are not a threat to
this species (23).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Lesquerella filiformis
Recovery Plan. Tech. Rev. Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Twin
Cities, MN. 32 pp.
Recovery of this species will be considered to be accomplished
when thirty self-sustaining populations, fifteen of which must be in
secure ownership, occupy at least one acre each, and show
self-sustaining populations for at least seven to ten years. Actions
to achieve this will require:
1) protection and management of existing populations through
cooperative efforts and management aggreements with
Federal and State agencies and the private land owners;
2) establishment of management plans aimed at protecting the
species;
3) establishment of new populations through transplanting
seeds;
4) control of domestic animals by using fences and barriers
with the cooperation of private land owners;
5) removing native and non-native vegetation by cutting
overstory;
6) sustaining early successional stages by using
vegetative control measures. Such measures may include
controlled burning, timber cutting, selective grazing or
cultivation;
7) development of public awareness to acquire private land
owners assistance along with the general public support in
protecting the species;
8) continuation of monitoring and research of present
populations to learn more about the biology of the species;
9) control and restriction of herbicide use and pollutants by
acquiring support of Federal and State agencies and private
land owners;
10) control and restriction of development and adverse
agricultural practices in the bladder-pod's habitat.
Ongoing recovery activities include fostering awareness and
cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation to protect
roadside populations by reducing and delaying mowing and with the
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
general public to gain assistance in protecting the plants from
grazing and off-road vehicles. The current policy of the Missouri
Highway and Transportation Department of mowing the right-of-ways
after September 1 at a height of 8 inches apparently does not
adversely impact the species. But use of hand cutting or stump
threatment to control woody vegetation should be utilized over
herbicide use. The National Park Service will conduct management
studies to determine the species' response to disturbance.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Baskins, C.C., and J. Baskins. 1980. Pers. comm. School of Biol.
Sci., Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington 40506.
02 Dodd, J.A. 1985. Soil survey of Christian County, Missouri. USDA
Soil Conserv. Serv. and Mo. Agr. Expt. Station. 115 pp.
03 Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's manual of botany, 8th ed. D. Van
Nostrand Co., New York.
04 Figg, D. 1986. Pers. comm. Zoologist, Missouri Dept. of Conserv.
Jefferson City, 65102.
05 Gleason, H.A. 1952. New Britton and Brown illustrated flora of
the northeastern United and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical
Garden, NY. 3 vols.
06 Hughes, H.E. 1982. Soil survey of Greene and Lawrence Counties,
Missouri. USDA Soil Conserv. Serv. and Mo. Agr. Expt. Sta. 160 pp.
07 Missouri Department of Conservation. Rare and Endangered species
(Data base). Natural History Sec., Jefferson City, MO 65102.
08 Missouri Geological Survey. 1979. Geologic map of Missouri.
Dept. of Nat. Res.
09 Morgan, S. 1980. Pers. knowledge. Missouri Dept. of Conserv.,
Jefferson City, 65102.
10 Morgan, S. 1980. Status report on Lesquerella filiformis Rollins.
Missouri Dept. of Conserv., Jefferson City. Unpubl. rep. 15 pp.
11 Morgan, S. 1983. Field investigations of Lesquerella filiformis,
spring 1983. Mo. Dept. of Conserv., Jefferson City. Unpubl. rep.
12 pp.
12 Morgan, S. 1983. Species accounts; Lesquerella filiformis: an
endemic mustard. Natural Areas Journal 3:59-62.
13 Morgan, S. 1984. Select rare and endangered plants of Missouri.
MO Dept. of Conserv. 28 pp.
14 Morgan, S. 1986. A study of a population of Lesquerella
filiformis Rollins in Missouri. Mo. Dept. of Conserv., Unpubl.
rept. 11 pp.
15 Nelson, P.W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of
Missouri. Missouri Nat. Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp.
16 Palmer, E.J. and J.A. Steyermark. 1935. An annotated catalogue of
the flowering plants of Missouri. Ann. Mo. Bot. Garden 22:375-758.
17 Payson, E.R. 1921. A monograph of the genus Lesquerella. Ann.
Mo. Bot. Garden 8:103-236.
18 Rollins, R.C. 1956. On the identity of Lesquerella angustifolia.
Rhodora 58:199-202.
19 Rollins, R.C., and E.A. Shaw. 1973. The genus Lesquerella
(Cruciferae) in North America. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA
Pp. 92-95.
20 Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa State Univ.
Press, Ames. Pp. 746-747.
21 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Determination of endangered
status for Lesquerella filiformis (Missouri bladder-pod). Fed.
Reg. 52:679-682.
22 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Lesquerella filiformis
Recovery Plan (Tech. Rev. Draft). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv.,
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species BLADDER-POD, MISSOURI
Species Id ESIS703004
Date 13 MAR 96
Twin Cities, MN. 28 pp.
23 Morgan, S. 1987. Pers. knowledge. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
State College, PA.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Lesquerella filiformis
Recovery Plan (Tech. Rev. Draft). U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Twin
Cities, MN. 28 pp.
02 Rollins, R.C., and E.A. Shaw. 1973. The genus Lesquerella
(Cruciferae) in North America. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA
Pp. 92-95.
03 Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa State Univ.
Press, Ames. Pp. 746-747.
04 Missouri Department of Conservation. Rare and Endangered species
(Data base). Jefferson City, MO 65102.
05 Morgan, S.W. 1980. Status report on Lesquerella filiformis
Rollins. Missouri Dept. of Conserv. Unpubl. rept. 15 pp.
06 Morgan, S.W. 1987. Pers. knowledge. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
State College, PA.
References - 2