(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED

OTHER COMMON NAMES - ARROWHEAD and BUNCHED

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Angiosperm

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - LILIOPSIDA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - ALISMATALES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ALISMATACEAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - SAGITTARIA,

SPECIES AND SSP - FASCICULATA,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - SAGITTARIA FASCICULATA

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Bunched Arrowhead

Sagittaria fasciculata E.O. Beal

KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm

DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Liliopsida
ORDER: Alismatales FAMILY: Alismataceae

The bunched arrowhead is a small, monoecious, herbaceous
perennial. Plants are to 4 dm tall. Emergant leaves are spatulate to
oblanceolate, to 3 dm long and 3 cm wide, petiolate. Winter rosette
leaves and submergant leaves are linear, to 1.5 dm long and 2 cm wide.
Inflorescence is a raceme, flowers in 2-4 whorls, lower flowers
pistillate, upper flowers staminate, petals white, 6-18 mm long.
Fruiting heads 0.5-15 cm broad, achenes 2.5-3.5 mm long, beak obsolete
or lateral, resin ducts 3 or more. Flowering: May, June. Fruiting:
June, July (01,04,05).
E.O. Beal described Sagittaria fasciculata as a new species in
1960 (05). Previous to his treatment, specimens of S. fasciculata
collected in Henderson and Buncombe Counties, NC, were included with
S. macrocarpa by J.G. Smith (1894) and by Small (1909), and in S.
graminea var. macrocarpa by Bogin (1955). Both of these names were
misapplied, with Smith's S. macrocarpa a direct synonym of S. graminea
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

var graminea. However, even with the confusion of names most authors
recognized the morphologically distinct and geographically isolated
plants in southwestern North Carolina.
Bunched arrowhead is the only Sagittaria species in the Southern
Appalachians with non-sagittate leaves. Wooten (07) found that S.
fasciculata had a mean of 40 percent pollen stainability, compared
with over 80 percent in all other species in the S. graminea group,
and that S. fasciculata exhibited low crossability with varieties of
S. graminea and S. platyphylla. Wooten suggests that S. fasciculata
has diverged genetically from other species of the S. graminea group
during a period of long geographic isolation (01).
The type specimen is housed at US and duplicates at MO and NY
(05). Herbarium specimens include #897 (US,MO,NY); #3674 (Duke); NW
#57253 (NC,SU,NCU); #3359 (GH); #8976 (GH,MO,NY,US); #682 (MO); #16372
(Duke); and #4897/#4891 (NCU) (01).
Several photographs and drawings are on file at the Plant
Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture,
P.O. Box 276647, Raleigh, NC 27611. (919) 733-3610.

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
North Carolina; Federal Endangered
North Carolina; State Listed
South Carolina; Federal Endangered
South Carolina; State Recognized
South Carolina; Unofficially Listed

E: Federal Endangered
Commercial

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The bunched arrowhead (Sagittaria fasciculata) 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 States of North Carolina and South Carolina.

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: North Carolina
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
STATE STATUTES: General Statutes of North Carolina 19b, 106 and
202.12 through 202.19, North Carolina Plant
Protection and Conservation Act, 1980.

STATE: South Carolina
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: South Carolina Wildlife and Marine
Resources Department
STATE STATUTES: The Heritage Trust Act Sec. 51-17-10 thru
51-17-140, 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws.
UNOFFICIAL LIST: Endangered; IN: Rare, Threatened, and
Endangered Plants in South Carolina; South
Carolina Advisory Committee, 1984.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

None.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species may have limited value in commercial trade because of
the increased interest in rare plants.

75/07/01:40 FR 27825/27924 - Notice of review
76/06/04:41 FR 24572/ - Proposed as Endangered
79/07/25:44 FR 43701/ - Listing as Endangered
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Shortleaf Pine-Oak shrub--seedling
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak mature tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth

LAND USE -
Residential
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Deciduous Forest Land
Streams and Canals
Forested Wetland
Nonforested Wetland

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES

NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC

Palustrine SS1
Palustrine FO4
Palustrine FO1
Palustrine EM2

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Sagittaria fasciculata occurs in seepages along small streams or
near gently sloping bogs. Wooten (07) reports that these bogs are
underlain by a clay layer. Studies by Douglass (08) mention that the
seepages may be related to a long, linear fault which occurs in the
four northwestern South Carolina counties. Observations of the
populations in an extreme drought year verified the constancy of the
seeps (01).
The continuous flow of unconfined ground water, with temperatures
between 57 and 67 degrees F, in areas of nutrient poor soil appear to
be the most common environmental conditions. Nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium are present in low amounts. Wet pH's vary between 5.0 and
7.1. The natural habitat for the species is in forested seepages;
however, there are several colonies in the open, in powerline
rights-of-way or on railroad rights-of-way. Adjacent to the seepage
areas red maple (Acer rubrum), tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), sweet gum
(Liquidambar styraciflua), and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) are
the common tree species. Little is known of precise habitat
requirements for bunched arrowhead. It is thought that the species
survives best in sites with little competition with other species
(01).
The seepage habitat in which bunched arrowhead occurs is
extremely threatened by the activities of man. The
Hendersonville/East Flat Rock area in North Carolina once contained
numerous bogs and seepages and had been known to contain many rare and
Habitat Associations - 1 widely disjunct plant species. Little remains of these habitats
today. Many of the rare species such as Bog asphodel (Narthecium
americanum), Sweet gale (Gale palustris), Linear pipewort (Eriocaulon
lineare) and many species of orchids have been extirpated from the
region. Many other species, native to this area, are considered
endangered in North Carolina, including Mountain sweet pitcher plant
(Sarracenia jonesii) and Swamp pink (Helonias bullata). The expanding
human population of Henderson and Buncombe Counties threatens the
remaining bogs. Development of lands for pasture and residential
homes threatens the South Carolina population.
More detailed information on the hydrology and ecology of the
sites in which Sagittaria fasciculata occurs is now available.
A two year hydrology study was initiated in 1984 with funding from the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A three year ecological study was
also initiated in 1984. This information is now available from the
Plant Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture,
Plant Industry Division, Plant Protection Section, P.O. Box 27647,
Raleigh, NC 27611. (919) 733-3610.

Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
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 Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
G Inland Wetlands: Bogs
G
G

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

Detailed information on seed biology, population biology,
ecological/edaphic factors, community ecology, species
interrelationships, etc. is also available from the Plant
Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Plant
Industry Division, Plant Protection Section, P.O. Box 27647, Raleigh,
NC 27611. (919) 733-3610.

HABIT:
The bunched arrowhead is an emergent plant (01,05).

LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (01,05).

TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
The species reproduces sexually (01,05).

REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Dates for germination are unknown. Leafing occurs in March and
April and budding in April and May. Anthesis occurs May through June
and fruiting during July and August. Seed/fruit dispersal occurs in
July and August (01,02,05).

SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoecious (01,02,05).

POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
The methods by which pollen is disseminated are unknown. Seed is
disseminated by animals and water (02). The urbanization of this
region has significantly altered the processes of animal dispersal.
The modification and channelization of adjacent streams have probably
also disturbed natural dispersal patterns (02).

SEED BIOLOGY:
Based upon work recently completed by the North Carolina
Plant Protection Program (09), it appears that seed set may be
a limiting factor for the species; outcrossing appeared to be the
major factor in determining seed set. Colonization of new sites
is accomplished primarily by seeds or whole plants floating
downstream. Within populations, new plants form from seedling
propagation and from rhizomes. Attempts at growing the plants
from seed in cultivation have failed, bur further germination
studies are underway at the North Carolina Plant Conservation
Program and Brookgreen Gardens (Myrtle Beach, SC).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
A study into the population biology of this species was
conducted from 1984 through 1986. 81 percent of the monitored
plots throughout the species limited range showed a decline in
area covered due primarily to habitat alteration and successional
competition. At least 1 population was reported to have been
completely destroyed by drainage and conversion to pasture (09).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
The species' habitat is "...characterized by a continuously
flowing seep containing a hydrated organic muck and sand suspension
which is shaded in late summer. The muck temperature does not
exceed 27 degrees C during the summer and is frozen for only
brief periods during the winter" (09). Thes muck-filled seep
areas are usually on Quaternary alluvial floodplains, or
occasionally on small sandbars in streams (10).
According to Sniper et al. (10), The North Carolina populations
are located on Paleozoic Henderson gneiss, close to its point of
contact with another formation of biotite gneiss. The dominant
minerals are plagioclase and quartz, with muscovite and biotite
being subordinate constituents. Humus comprises much of the
organic matter in the muck, and serves to increase the porosity
and water holding capacity of the soil, as well as providing a
buffer against rapid changes in acidity. It also assists in
retention of plant nutrients. The muck is moderately to slightly
acidic, with pH ranging from 5.3 to 6.8. Kaolinite is the dominant
clay mineral in the sediment.
One of the Enoree River populations (probably the best
remaining population of the species) occupies an area of
approximately 10 acres; the drainage area feeding these seeps was
found to be 50 acres in size and so hydrologically sensitive
that a continuous 10 gallon/minute withdrawal from the
groundwater supply was predicted as being lethal to the plants (10).

TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (01,05).

CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (01,02).

COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Sagittaria fasciculata shares its habitat with Juncus,
Decumaria, Pettandra, Iris, Alnus serrulata, Sparganium, Rhus,
Impatiens, and Lycopus. The major competitor was found to be
Aneilema keisak. Several other potential competitors include
Glyceria striata, Decumaria barbara, and Gratiola virginiana.
To protect and recover the species, the hydrology of each site
must be protected from disruption and excessive siltation;
trampling should be prevented; and selective removal of competing
vegetation should be accomplished by non-destructive means (09).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None known other han competitors described above.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Maintaining Later Stages of Succession
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vegetation
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
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 Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The primary threat to bunched arrowhead is the destruction or
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

alteration of its habitat. Factors identified in the destruction,
partial destruction, or alteration of known sites include wetland
filling for residential, industrial, highway, agricultural, or
grazing purposes; maintenance of transmission lines and railroad
right-of-ways (i.e., with herbicides, etc.); channelization, grazing
and trampling by cattle and horses; and the dumping of fill from a
road project. Pollutants may be a factor at one site. Alteration of
the natural forest cover affects the species by allowing the invasion
of highly competitive species. Development of the upland areas
adjacent to the plants habitat (the recharge areas for the seeps)
could affect the flow and quality of the water in the seeps. Several
seepage sites would be excellent locations for a pond or a small lake.
It is possible (but not documented) that extensive farm pond
development has destroyed colonies of S. fasciculata in the past, as
evidenced in the number of possibly extirpated occurrences of S.
fasciculata in North Carolina habitat (01,02).

APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Bunched Arrowhead Recovery
Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 37 pp.

The primary objective of the Recovery Plan is to protect a
sufficient number of colonies and populations to ensure the continued
survival of the species. This is to be accomplished by:

1. Protecting the existing populations with their essential habitat
from development or alteration of seeps. Utilize land acquisition,
conservation easements, dedication, or other means when appropriate
and feasible. Control or restrict the use of herbicides along
rights-of-way and/or cropland, and control domestic animals which
threaten the species by trampling. Removal of aggressive competitive
plants (e.g., Salix sp., Rosa sp., rushes, and other woody herbaceous
plants) and retaining the existing tree canopy may be necessary at one
of the North Carolina populations.

2. Conducting population and ecological studies on the species.

3. Conducting transplant and propagation studies. Transplant
individuals propagated from wild seed. Maintain a supply of wild seed
in the Macon Seed Bank.

4. Monitoring the existing and tranplanted colonies.

5. Enforcing laws and regulations protecting the species and its
essential habitat.

6. Informing the public of species' status and recovery plan
objectives.

One of the three known populations in North Carolina has been
protected through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy. The South
Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department has contacted all
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

owners of the South Carolina sites and is negotiating for their
protection through easements, conservation agreements, or outright
purchase, as appropriate. Baseline biological, ecological, and
hydrological studies on the species are entering their third year and
are producing valuable information. Transplanting studies have been
conducted and are currently being reviewed. All known populations
have been carefully monitored during the past three years. Protection
of the species and its habitat continues through implementation of
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the North Carolina Plant
Protection Act.

Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species ARROWHEAD, BUNCHED
Species Id ESIS704005
Date 13 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Bunched Arrowhead Recovery
Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 37 pp.
02 Newberry, G. November 1984. Personal communication. Professor of
Biology, University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, Spartanburg,
SC 29303.
03 Currie, R. November 1984. Personal communication. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Ashevile Field Office, 100 Otis St., Room 224,
Asheville, NC 28801.
04 Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the
vascular flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina
Press, Chapel Hill.
05 Beal, E.O. 1960. The Alismataceae of the Carolinas. J. Elisha
Mitchell Sci. Soc. 76:68-79.
06 Kartesz, J.T. and R. Kartesz. 1980. A synonymized checklist of
the vascular flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland.
University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
07 Wooten, J.W. 1973. Taxonomy of seven species of Sagittaria from
Eastern North America. Brittonia 25:64-74.
08 Douglass, M. 1981. Unpublished data. Research data on Sagittaria
fasciculata. South Carolina Heritage Trust Program, Columbia.
09 Newberry, G., M. Hague, and R. Sutter. 1986. 3rd year Report
on the biological monitoring of Sagittaria fasciculata. NC
Plant Protect. Prog., Raleigh. 49 pp.
10 Snipes, D., L. Sacks, J. Wylie, D. Israel, S. Dawson, E. Hicks,
and D. Ries. 1986. Hydrology of the bunched arrowhead. Tech.
Completion Rept. Submitted to the NC Plant Conserv. Prog.,
Raleigh. 78 pp.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

References - 1