(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - GEOCARPON MINIMUM

OTHER COMMON NAMES - GEOCARPON

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Angiosperm

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARYOPHYLLALES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CARYOPHYLLACEAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - GEOCARPON,

SPECIES AND SSP - MINIMUM,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - GEOCARPON MINIMUM

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
No Common Name

Geocarpon minimum MacKenzie

KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm

DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Caryophyllales FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae

Geocarpon minimum is a small, succulent annual herb ranging from
1-4 centimeters (0.4-1.6 inches) in height. The stems, which may be
simple or branched near the base, extend from a slender tap root.
Leaves are opposite, somewhat succulent when young, sessile, joined at
base, 3-4 mm (0.1-0.2 inches) long, and narrowly oblong in shape. The
flowers, which are inconspicuous in the leaf axils, are apetalous, and
have greenish-red calyx. The fruit, a capsule, dehisces into three
parts at maturity, releasing numerous seeds measuring 0.5 mm
(0.02 inch) long. Young plants are dull gray and turn reddish-purple
at maturity (01,02,03).
Geocarpon minimum, a monotypic genus, was first collected in 1913
by E. J. Palmer in Jasper County, MO. MacKenzie (04) described this
new taxon and placed it in the family Aizoaceae. Palmer and
Steyermark (05) later transferred the genus to the Caryophyllaceae
family based on the following characters: Staminodal rudiments,
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

apetalous flowers, lack of stipules, gamophyllous calyx, 5 perigynous
stamens, 1-celled ovary, and free-central placentation.
Chemotaxonomic studies on Geocarpon by Bogle et al. (06) revealed the
presence of anthocyanins, which provided further support to its
placement in the Caryophyllaceae family. To date no controversial
taxonomic problems exist.
Although this species has no generally accepted common name,
botanists often refer to it by its generic name, Geocarpon (03).
The holotype is located in Gray Herbarium, Harvard University,
Cambridge, MA. Descriptions and/or illustrations of Geocarpon minimum
can be found in Morgan (01), Kral (02), Tucker (03) and Steyermark
(07).

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status

Arkansas; Unofficially Listed

T: Federal Threatened

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
Geocarpon minimum (no common name) has been designated a
Threatened 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 Arkansas and Missouri. Critical Habitat has not been
designated.
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.
DOD (COE) -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.

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:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

STATE: Missouri
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Missouri Department of Conservation
STATE STATUTE: 252.240 Related Statut. Provis. Endang. Sp.
Import., Transp. or Sale when Prohibited-How
Designated-Penalty.
UNOFFICIAL LIST: Endangered. IN: MO Dept. of Conserv. & USDA
Soil Conserv. Serv. 1978. Rare and Endangered
Species of Missouri. MO Dept. of Conserv.,
Jefferson City.

STATE: Arkansas
UNOFFICIAL LIST: Endangered. IN: AR Dept. of Planning. 1974.
AR Natural Area Plan, AR Dept. of Planning,
Little Rock.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.

75/08/01:40 FR 27823/ - Acceptance of Smithsonian report
76/06/15:41 FR 24523/ - Proposed rule
80/12/15:45 FR 82479/ - Notice of review
86/04/10:51 FR 12460/12463 - Proposed rule, list as Threatened
87/06/16:52 FR 22930/22933 - Final rule, listed as Threatened

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL

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

LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Herbaceous Rangeland
Deciduous Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
Bare Exposed Rock
Mixed Barren Land

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Geocarpon minimum is an early pioneer species which occurs on
sandstone glades in Missouri and in pine/grassland savannas in
Arkansas. In Missouri, Geocarpon minimum grows on moist, sandy soils
on exposed sandstone outcrops which are primarily of the Channel sands
formation (01). Arkansas sites are characterized as sandy-clay
prairies occurring in otherwise savanna type areas. In these areas,
Geocarpon occurs on bare mineral soils of the Lafe or Wing Series
(high in sodium and magnesium) which may represent relict Pleistocene
Lake beds (02,03). These bare areas are referred to locally as "salt
licks" or "slick spots". Species diversity is low in these
communities. Common associates include Houstonia minima, Nothoscordum
bivalve, Plantago hybrida, Plantago elongata, Krigia occidentalis,
Krigia virginica, and Oenothera linifolia (01,02,03). Sites in
Arkansas are also characterized by prominent blue-green algal colonies
(03).
Geocarpon appears to require some type of natural disturbance to
maintain bare substrate for seedling establishment. It also appears
to have a high light requirement and tolerates little or no
competition by other species (03).
Sites in Arkansas are on small, level to nearly level areas
representing old terraces near streams. Elevation range for the sites
is 100-300 feet. The soils are primarily of the Lafe Series (one is
on Wing Series). They are poorly drained, slightly acid to moderately
alkaline in pH, and contain litle organic matter. Runoff and
permeability are slow (03).
In Missouri, the soils are Entisols just beginning to form over
sandstone outcrops. They are shallow, acidic, with a texture of fine
sand and show no development of horizons (01).
A population in Dade Co., Missouri occurs in a roadside ditch and
could be impacted in the future by the results of certain maintenance
practices, such as drift from herbicide use. Some sites could be
impacted by silvicultural practices due to their proximity to oak/pine
and oak/hickory timber stands (11).

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
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 Terrestrial Features: upper 1/3 of slope
G
G
G
G

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

HABIT:
Geocarpon minimum is an herb (01,02,03).

LIFE CYCLE:
Geocarpon is ephemeral, usually completing its life cycle
(germination to senescence) within a four week period (01,02). It is
a winter annual (08).

TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Reproduction occurs by sexual means (01,02).

REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Anthesis occurs during March and April in Arkansas and in April
and May in Missouri. There apparently is a two week time lapse
between flowering first in Arkansas and then in Missouri (01,02,03).
Fruiting occurs in April in Arkansas and in May in Missouri (01,02).

SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (01,02).

POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
It is not known how pollen is disseminated. Most pollination
probably occurs by selfing, though ants are possible pollinators.
Presumably seeds are shaken from the seed capsule and fall a short
distance from the plants; ants may provide some secondary dispersal
(01,02,05).

SEED BIOLOGY:
Slight disturbance of the soil crust is probably necessary for
seedling establishment as provided through slight erosional forces
(02).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Geocarpon is limited to open areas with little competition from
other species. Shading by large herbaceous or woody species is a
limiting factor (02).

ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
In Missouri, Geocarpon grows in moist pockets of generally drier,
sandy soils on exposed sandstone outcrops of the Channel Sands
formation. Soils are Entisols just beginning to form over the
outcrops (01). Geocarpon occurs on bare mineral soils of the Lafe or
Wing Series which are high in sodium and magnesium (02,08).
Geocarpon appears to have a high light requirement and tolerates
little or no competition by other species. This species appears to
require some type of natural disturbance to maintain bare substrate
for seedling establishment (03).

TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (04).

Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Geocarpon minimum is a component within its vegetative community
(01,02).

COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Geocarpon is an early pioneer species which occurs on sandstone
glades in Missouri and in pine/grassland savannas in Arkansas.
Species diversity is low in these communities. Common associates
include Houstonia minima, Nothoscordum bivalve, Plantago hybrida,
Plantago elongata, Krigia occidentalis, Krigia virginica, and
Oenothera linifolia (01,02,03). Sites in Arkansas are also
characterized by prominent blue-green algal colonies (03).
Overcrowding and shading by mosses and lichens has impacted several
populations in Missouri (09).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Arkansas sites of Geocarpon characteristically have prominent
blue-green algal colonies in close associaton at anthesis. The alga
appears to be of the genus Nostor or a closely related species (03).

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None known.

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
A major threat to Geocarpon minimum is the destruction or adverse
modification of its habitat. In Missouri, some sites have been
damaged by trampling and grazing by cattle (08). However, Chaplin
(09) suggests that the physical disturbance associated with cattle
grazing may actually benefit Geocarpon at some sites by maintaining
bare substrate for seedling establishment. A more serious threat
concerns pasture improvement which, coupled with the successional
overgrowth of prairie species, is thought to have destroyed Geocarpon
at the type locality (09). The habitat of Geocarpon continues to be
damaged by ORV's, and this problem is amplified by the easy access to
many of the sites from adjacent roads (03). Suitable habitat for
Geocarpon is limited, and most such areas have been heavily disturbed.
In southern Arkansas many of the areas have been adversely modified by
silvicultural practices such as piling and/or burning slash and the
use of heavy equipment (03,08).
Geocarpon is vulnerable due to the small amount of available
habitat, its limited range, and low numbers (potential loss of genetic
variability) at many sites. Over-crowding and shading by invading
plants from succession pose a major threat to this species (02); this
is especially evident in Missouri (09).
While the Missouri Department of Conservation and Arkansas
Natural Heritage Commission consider Geocarpon to be endangered, the
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

species is afforded State legal protection only in Missouri. However,
Missouri law only protects the plant from commercial exploitation as
an endangerd plant and provides no protection from habitat loss - the
major threat to Geocarpon minimum (10).
Populations in close proximity to roads could be threatened by
future road expansions and improvements. Road maintenance activities
are not currently a threat.

UNAPPROVED PLAN:
There is no recovery plan for Geocarpon minimum at the present
time. Actions recommended for recovery of this species include:

1. Protect habitat and existing populations through land acquisition
and use of Cooperative Agreements (CA).
a. Pursue CA with State highway departments to insure
right-of-way maintenance activities are compatible with the
protection of populations near roads.
b. Limit human access and restrict off-road vehicle use on
sites.
2. Search for additional populations concentrating on northern
Arkansas.
3. Assess population status, monitor and determine community
associations.
4. Conduct research on the reproductive biology and autecology of
Geocarpon.
5. Determine proper management techniques for Geocarpon through
experimental studies. Management activities which may be
appropriate on certain sites include: Controlling domestic
animals, restricting extensive timber harvesting, and maintaining
early stages of succession (particularly in Missouri sites).
6. Refine recovery goals incorporating information obtained during
the recovery process.

Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species GEOCARPON MINIMUM
Species Id ESIS704046
Date 13 MAR 96

References

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

01 Morgan, S.W. 1980. Status report on Geocarpon minimum in
Missouri. MO Dept. of Conservation, Jefferson City. 16 pp.
02 Kral, R. 1983. A report on some rare, threatened, or endangered
forest-related vascular plants of the South. USDA, Forest Service,
Tech. Publ. R8-TP2. Pages 409-412.
03 Tucker, G.E. 1983. Status report on Geocarpon minimum MacKenzie.
Contracted to U.S Fish and Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 41 pp.
04 MacKenzie, K.K. 1914. A new genus from Missouri. Torreya
14:67-68.
05 Palmer, E.J. and J. Steyermark. 1950. Notes on Geocarpon minimum
MacKenzie. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 77:268-273.
06 Gogle, A.L., T. Swain, R.D. Thomas, and E.D. Kohn. 1971.
Geocarpon: Aizoaceae or Caryophyllaceae? Taxon 20(4):473-477.
07 Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa St. Univ. Press,
Ames.
08 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [n.d.] Endangered Species Field
Office records. Jackson Field Office, Jackson, MS 39213.
09 Chaplin, S.J. 1986. [Letter to D.B. Jordan, Field Supervisor,
Jackson Endangered Species Office.] On the proposal to list
Geocarpon minimum as a threatened species. On file: Jackson Field
Station, Jackson, MS 39213.
10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. June 16, 1987. Endangered and
threatened wildlife and plants; threatened status for Geocarpon
minimum. Fed. Reg. 52:22930-22933.
11 Norquist, C. 1987. Pers. knowledge. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
Jackson Field Station, Jackson, MS.

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

01 Morgan, S.W. 1980. Status report on Geocarpon minimum in
Missouri. MO Dept. of Conservation, Jefferson City. 16 pp.
02 Palmer, E.J. and J. Steyermark. 1950. Notes on Geocarpon minimum
MacKenzie. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 77:268-273.
03 Steyermark, J., J.W. Voigt, and R.H. Mohlenbrock. 1959. Present
biological status of Geocarpon minimum MacKenzie. Bull. Torrey
Bot. Club 86:228-235.
04 Tucker, G.E. 1983. Status report on Geocarpon minimum MacKenzie.
Contracted to U.S Fish & Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 41 pp.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered Species Field Office
records. Jackson Field Station, Jackson, MS 39213.

References - 1