(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S OTHER COMMON NAMES - ASTER, GOLDEN and RUTH'S ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Angiosperm PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA, ORDER AND SUBORDER - ASTERALES, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ASTERACEAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PITYOPSIS, SPECIES AND SSP - RUTHII, SCIENTIFIC NAME - PITYOPSIS RUTHII AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Ruth's Golden Aster Pityopsis ruthii (Small) Small KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida ORDER: Asterales FAMILY: Asteraceae The following is a non-technical description of Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's golden aster) (19). Ruth's golden aster is an extremely rare endemic known only from phyllite boulders in and adjacent to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers in Polk County Tennessee. It has clustered, upright stems (to 1 foot high), narrow, silvery, gray-green, grasslike leaves from a woody rootstock and yellow aster-like flowering heads supported by leafless stalks (0.5-2 in long) covered with tiny yellowish gland-tipped hairs. The fruiting heads strongly resemble dandelions but are only about half the size. The following is a technical description of Ruth's Golden Aster (19). HABIT: Fibrous-rooted perennial with clustered stems 1-3 dm tall, silvery-sericeous, 1-many terminal, yellow-flowered pedunculate inflorescences/stems. STEMS: Erect, clustered, few to many, 1-3 dm Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 high from woody rhizomatus base 1.5-3 mm thick; silvery-sericeous above, browm glabrate beneath. LEAVES: Alternate, sessile, gray-green, numerous, overlapping, ascending-spreading; linear to lanceolate, 3-5 cm long, 2-4.5 mm wide; midvein apparent; both surfaces silvery-sericeous; margins entire. Lower cauline leaves withering to deciduous in late summer; basal leaves when present, similar to cauline leaves. INFLORESECENCE: 1-several pedunculate involucrate heads, terminal or axillary from the upper leaves; peduncles 0.5-4 cm long, 0.6-1 mm wide, densely stipitate-glandular, glands pale yellowish; 0-3 short lancolate bracteoles 2-9 mm long subtending the heads. FLOWERS: Ray and disc in heads 5-8 mm wide, 6-8 mm high; involucre of 4-6 series; bracts ascending, inner surface smooth, outer surface with sessile to stipitate glands, tufted ciliate at tip, with a narrow scarious, hyaline margin; ray flowers yellow, 8-14/head, yellow, weakly toothed apically, pubescent on tube and back of limb, 6-10 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, pistillate and fertile, style branches glabrous; disc flowers yellow, up to 45/head, 4.5-6.0 mm long, perfect and fertile, style branches puberulent; pappus double, outer scalelike, minute, inner of antrorsely barbed capillary bristles; achenes fusiform, 2-3 mm long, with 6-8 ribs, pubsecence ascending-pilose. N=9. Other descriptions of this species may be found in references 02, 04, 12, and 14. A nomenclatural description as well as sources for specimens, photographs, and drawings of Ruth's golden aster is as follows: Ruth's golden aster was originally described by Small (14) as Chrysopsis ruthii in 1897. In 1933, Small (11) transferred this species to the genus Pityopsis. An additional transfer was effected by Harms (10) to the genus Heterotheca in 1969. The most recent taxonomic treatment (12) adopts the combination Pityopsis ruthii (Small) Small. It has been treated by others under the genera Chrysopsis (04) and Heterotheca (02,17,19). The type specimen (presumably the holotype) is on deposit at the New York Botanical Garden (NY), Bronx, NY (02,12). Additional and representative specimens are located at CU, FSU, GH, MO, NCU, TENN, US (02) and WAT (12). Line drawings may be found in Semple and Bowers 1985 (12) and Wofford and Smith 1980 (19). Photographs may be found in Bowers 1972 (02) and U.S. Department of Agriculture 1981 (16). Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status Tennessee; Federal Endangered Tennessee; State Listed E: Federal Endangered Ornamental COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's golden aster) has been designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR, Sec. 17.12). The species has this status wherever found including the State of Tennessee. This species is also protected by the Lacey Act, as amended in 1981. Under this Act it is prohibited to import, export, sell, receive, acquire, purchase or engage in the interstate or foreign commerce of any plant taken, possessed, or sold in violation of any law, or any law or regulation of any State. It is unlawful to remove and reduce to possession any endangered or threatened plant from an area under Federal jurisdiction (50 CFR 17.61(c) and 17.71(a)). RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES: USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and law enforcement/protection of this species. 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. Forest Service regulations prohibit the removal, destruction, or damaging of any plant classified as threatened, endangered or rare (36 CFR 261). TVA -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 and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of the species. STATE STATUSES AND LAWS: STATE: Tennessee DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Tennessee Department of Conservation STATE STATUTE: The Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985 (Chap. 0400-6-2-.01 et seq.). INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 None. ECONOMIC STATUSES: This attractive Composite has potential for horticultural use as a rock-garden plant. 75/07/01:40 FR 27824/27924 - Notice of review of status 76/06/16:41 FR 24524/24572 - Proposed rule, list as Endangered 79/12/10:44 FR 70796/ - Withdrawal of proposed rule 80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82569 - Notice of review of taxa 83/11/28:48 FR 53640/53670 - Supplement to review of taxa 84/11/20:49 FR 45766/45769 - Proposed rule, list as Endangered 85/07/18:50 FR 29341/29345 - Final rule, list as Endangered Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL INLAND AQUATIC LAND USE - Bare Exposed Rock Transportation, communications, and Util Streams and Canals NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Riverine, upper perennial RS2 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's golden aster) is endemic to unique riparian/inland aquatic areas of bare, exposed phyllite rock crevices in and along the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers (17,19). These areas are situated within Ecoregion/Appalachian Oak Forest. Known environmental parameters indicate that P. ruthii does not occur where light intensities are less than 50 percent of full sunlight. Rock surface temperatures frequently exceed 43 deg. C during mid-summer. Plants are rooted in boulder crevices filled with fine textured sandy-loam soils of ca. 72 percent sand, 25 percent silt, and 3 percent clay. Soil moisture conditions at mean field capacity reach 25 percent at 0.33 bars pressure. Chemical characterization of soil is fairly low in pH (pH 4.8), low to medium concentrations of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium; and high concentrations of zinc, manganese, iron, and copper (17,19). Pityopsis ruthii occupies a narrowly defined, non-successional, xeric habitat. Its restriction to dry, exposed boulder crevices selectively excludes most potential competitors except for Liatris microcephala, Andropogon ternarius, and Aster linariifolius (17,19). Riparian communities adjacent to these sites are dominated by Cornus amomum, Salix caroliniana, S. nigra, Platanus occidentalis, Liquidamber styraciflua, Acer rubrum, Alnus serrulata, Rhus radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Campsis radicans (19). No data are available on community structure or successional trends/threats from adjacent vegetation to Pityopsis ruthii habitat (21). It is uniquely adapted for survival in habitats unfavorable to competition; and this habitat appears to be stable, having supported populations with low turnover for long periods of time (21). The Louisville and Nashville Railroad line parallels the Hiwassee River population. Train derailments have resulted in chemical spills that have impacted the population. Habitat Associations - 1
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - AUTOTROPH Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   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 Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

HABIT: Ruth's golden aster (Pityopsis ruthii) is herbaceous (02,04,12,14 15,17,19,20). LIFE CYCLE: Perennial (02,04,12,14,15,17,19,20). TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Sexual and vegetative (17,19). Asexual reproduction appears the principle instrument for maintaining current populations (19,21). No seedling stages have been observed or reported for either the Hiwassee or Ocoee river populations (17,19,20) although viable seeds are known to be produced and plants have been successfully cultivated to flowering and seed set (05,17). REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY: Leafing occurs in March, budding from August to September, anthesis from August to early October, and fruiting and seed dispersal from September to October (05,17,19,12,02). SEX OR SPORE STATUS: Polygynous (21). Gynomonecious is the more exact descriptor for P. ruthii which bears both perfect and pistillate flowers in each flowering head. POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION: Pollen dissemination agents and seed dissemination agents are unknown/unverified. Pollen dissemination is speculated to be wind and/or non-selective insect foraging (19), while seed dissemination agents are assumed to be wind and water (21). SEED BIOLOGY: Some aspects of pollination and seed biology of Pityopsis ruthii have been investigated. Pollen viability, as measured by staining techniques, indicates an average percent stainability of 96.4 percent (02). No report on mechanisms for pollen transport has been published, but it is reasonable to assume that a combination of wind and non-selective insect foraging might account for low values of seed set in natural populations (19). Dispersal of seeds is probably by wind or water, but effective dispersal by actual accounts of seedling presence is apparently rare. Numbers of filled achenes per head in both natural and greenhouse-grown populations are low. The Hiwassee populations averaged 50 achenes/head, of which only 9 (18 percent) proved to be filled. Experimental populations produced an average of 11 filled seeds/head (19 percent) (17). A replicate study of Hiwassee populations reported an average of only 5 percent filled seeds/head compared to nursery-grown plants which showed an increase to 12 percent filled seeds/head (05). Further studies on seed biology and development (05) indicate the best germination (90 percent) occurred between 7-24 deg. C during a 10-day period. At temperatures ranging from 24-29 deg. C the percent germination dropped to 70 percent over Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 an extended 20 day period. Seeds stored at 3 deg. C for six months showed a 15 percent decrease in germination when tested under the optimum temperature range. Of the seedlings which passed through the cotyledonary state, 80-90 percent survived to maturity (05,19). POPULATION BIOLOGY: Early, cursory estimates of the total population of Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's golden aster) are circa 1000 plants including both Hiwassee and Ocoee River systems (17,18,19). A recent completed study (08) has mapped and counted 593 plants in eight sites along the Ocoee River; and more than 900 plants distributed in more than eight sites along the Hiwassee River. No data are available for population trends, causes of mortality, or recovery potential (21). ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS: Pityopsis ruthii occurs exclusively on barren phyllite boulders of the Walden Creek and Great Smokey Groups of Precambrian age rocks (17,19,09). The plants are rooted in fine textured, relatively fertile, sandy-loam soils that accumulate in cracks and fissures of the phyllite boulders (17,19). Soil characterization and analysis reveals a consistency of 72 percent sand, 25 percent silt, 3 percent clay, low to medium concentrations of macronutrients, high concentrations of micronutrients, pH 4.8, and field capacity of 25 percent soil moisture at 0.33 bars pressure (17,19). Specific microclimate site factors would indicate that insolation must exceed 50 percent of full sunlight, which may account for greater than 90 percent of the populations that occur on southern exposures (08,17, 19). High incident radiation may elevate surface temperatures of the phyllite boulders to as much as 43 deg. C (17,19). Species hardiness to such high temperatures may exclude competitors from these sites (21). TROPHIC STATUS: Phototrophic. CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE: Component (17,19). Pityopsis ruthii populations occupy sparsely populated sites in both river systems with few or no competitors. Within sites, individual plants are multi-stemmed and plants are rarely crowded and never shade one another. Interplant distances are dictated by the pattern of cracks and fissures in the phyllite boulders (08,17,19,21) COMMUNITY ECOLOGY: Pityopsis ruthii occupies a narrowly defined, non-successional, xeric habitat. Its restriction to dry, exposed boulder crevices selectively excludes most potential competitors except for Liatris microcephala, Andropogon ternarius, and Aster linariifolius (17,19). Riparian communities adjacent to these sites are dominated by Cornus amomum, Salix caroliniana, S. nigra, Platanus occidentalis, Liquidamber styraciflua, Acer rubrum, Alnus serrulata, Rhus radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Campsis radicans (19). No data are available on community structure or successional trends/threats from Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 adjacent vegetation to Pityopsis ruthii habitat (21). It is uniquely adapted for survival in habitats unfavorable to competition; and this habitat appears to be stable, having supported populations with low turnover for long periods of time (21). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: No information available. OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: No information available. Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                            Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                Species Id ESIS704019
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vegetation Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing Adverse Rock Climbing Existing Rock Climbing Adverse Hiking/Camping Existing Hiking/Camping Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics Adverse Surface Mines Existing Surface Mines Adverse Siltation Existing Siltation Adverse Water Level Fluctuation Existing Water Level Fluctuation Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution Adverse Competition Existing Competition COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - Ruth's golden aster is a narrow endemic restricted to phyllite boulders along the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers. Its total known range is limited to a combined 6.5 river miles of these riparian systems (17,18,19,20). Present threats to both populations include: competition by vegetation encroachment resulting from altered natural water flow cycles created by Tennessee Valley Authority dam controls on both rivers; inherently low seed production; and little or no seedling establishment. Past impacts to the Hiwassee River population are occassional chemical spills (sulphuric acid) from train derailments. Impacts to the Ocoee River population have been and continue to be more severe. Since the mid-1800's, the Ocoee River has been severely polluted from mining activities in the Copperhill area, resulting in chemical toxification, acidification, and siltation. Intensive recreational use of the channel by commercial and private white-water enthusiasts may be creating a threat of uncertain magnitude. Boaters use boulders in and along both rivers for recreation, frequently trampling and picking plants (07,17,19). UNAPPROVED PLAN: Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 A recovery plan has not yet been initiated. The first task which must be completed is the preparation of a recovery plan for Ruth's golden aster (Pityopsis ruthii). Searches in adjacent watersheds for additional populations is recommended. Only a limited amount of searching has been done in these areas. Permanent plots within each population must be established and regularly monitored. The biotic and abiotic factors of the species habitat must be determined, with special attention directed towards obtaining a better understanding of the role water levels play in maintaining the species habitat. Demographic studies must be completed. A seed bank for each population should be established. Captive propagation and reintroduction may be viable and necessary management tools. Limiting human access and disturbance to P. ruthii habitats may also be necessary. Management guidelines for each population must be developed. Management practices needed to insure the continued existence of this species must be implemented (with the cooperation of the U.S. Forest Service and the Tennessee Valley Authority). Management might include maintaining early successional stages and removal of encroaching vegetation since the species requires full sunlight. Maintenance of optimum water flow of the river systems may also be necessary. Management Practices - 2
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                              Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S
                                  Species Id ESIS704019
                                      Date 13 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 Bowers, F.D. 1972. The existence of Heterotheca ruthii (Compositae). Castanea 37:130-132. 02 Bowers, F.D. 1972. A biosystematic study of Heterotheca sect. Pityopsis. Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Tenn., Knoxville. 188 pp. 03 Cronquist, A. 1968. The evolution an classification of flowering plants. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. 04 Cronquist, A. 1980. Vascular flora of the southeastern United States. Vol. I: Asteraceae. Univ. of N.C. Press, Chapel Hill. 05 Farmer, R.E. 1977. Seed propagation of Heterotheca ruthii. Castanea 42:146-148. 06 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: Review of taxa for listing as endangered or threatened species. Fed. Reg. 45(242):82480-82569. 07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status for Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's Golden Aster). Fed. Reg. 50(138): 29341-29345. 08 Haggard, D. 1985. Heterotheca ruthii (Small) Harms. Tech. Rep., TN Dept. of Conservation, Nashville. 11 pp. + maps. 09 Hardeman, W.D. 1966. Geologic map of Tennessee. East-central sheet. TN Div. of Geology, Nashville. 10 Harms, V.I. 1969. A preliminary conspectus of Heterotheca sect. Pityopsis (Compositae). Castanea 34:402-409. 11 Kartesz, J.Y. and R. Kartesz. [n.d.] A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. Vol. II. The biota of North America. Univ. of NC Press, Chapel Hill. 12 Semple, J.C. and F.D. Bowers. 1985. A revision of the goldenaster genus Pityopsis Nutt. (Compositae: Asteraceae). Univ. of Waterloo Biology Series 29:1-34. 13 Semple, J.C., V.C. Blok, and P.P. Heiman. 1980. Morphological, anatomical, habit and habitat differences among the golden aster general Chrysopsis, Heterotheca, and Pityopsis (Compositae-Asteraceae). Can. J. Bot. 58:147-163. 14 Small, J.K. 1897. Studies in the botany of the southeastern United States. XII. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 24:493. 15 Small J.K. 1933. Manual of the southeastern flora. J.K. Small, New York. 16 U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1981. Sensitive plants of the Cherokee National Forest. U.S. For. Serv., Southern Region. 31 pp. 17 White, A.J. 1977. An autecological study of the proposed endangered species, Heterotheca ruthii (Small) Harms. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville. 73 pp. 18 White, A.J. 1978. Range extensions of the proposed endangered plant, Heterotheca ruthii (Compositae). Castanea 43:263. 19 Wofford, B.E., and D.K. Smith. 1980. Status report for Heterotheca ruthii (Ruth's golden aster). Unpubl. rep., contracted for the U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 33 pp. 20 Wofford, B.E., and D.K. Smith. 1980. Heterotheca ruthii (Small) References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species ASTER, GOLDEN, RUTH'S Species Id ESIS704019 Date 13 MAR 96 Harms. IN: Inventory of proposed threatened and endangered species--Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee. B.E. Wofford, ed. Unpubl. rep. contracted for the U.S. For. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 7 pp. 21 Wofford, B.E., and D.K. Smith. 1986. Unpublished data. ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 Bailey, R.G. and C.T. Cushwa. 1982. Ecoregion, land-surface form and hydorlogic unit maps of the United States. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 02 Bowers, F.D. 1972. The existence of Heterotheca ruthii (Compositae). Castanea 37:130-132. 03 Bowers, F.D. 1972. A biosystematic study of Heterotheca sect. Pityopsis. Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville. 188 pp. 04 Hydrologic Unit Map. 1974. State of Tennessee 1:500,000. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. 05 Small, J.K. 1897. Studies in the botany of the southeastern United States. Volume XII. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 24:493. 06 White, A.J. 1977. An autecological study of the proposed endangered species, Heterotheca ruthii (Small) Harms. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville. 73 pp. 07 White, A.J. 1978. Range extensions of the proposed endangered plant, Heterotheca ruthii (Compositae). Castanea 43:263. 08 Wofford, B.E. and D.K. Smith. 1980. Status report for Heterotheca ruthii (Ruth's Golden Aster). Unpubl. rep., contracted for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia. 33 pp. References - 2