(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING; BUCKWHEAT and HOTCHKISS
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - POLYGONALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - POLYGONACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ERIOGONUM,
SPECIES AND SSP - PELINOPHILUM,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ERIOGONUM PELINOPHILUM
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Clay-loving Wild-buckwheat
Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Polygonales FAMILY: Polygonaceae
Low rounded heavily branched pulvinate subshrubs 5-10 cm high and
8-15 cm across; lower stems light brown, woody, bark exfoliating in
long loose strips or wide plates; leafless, upper branches herbaceous,
slender, floccose to glabrous; leaves solitary, scattered along entire
length of herbaceous stems, except for the last 5-10 mm, somewhat
closely placed and congested to widely speced, leaf blades
oblanceolate, 5-12 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, densely white-tomentose
below, mid-veins totally obscured by the tomentum, subglabrous to
glabrous and green above, margins entire, revolute and completely
enclosing the lower surface, apices and bases acute, leaves
persistent, perioles 1 mm long, light yellowish-brown to tan and
thinly pubescent when young, becoming glabrous; flowering stems
slender, 5-10 mm long, floccose to glabrous; inflorescence cymose,
+/- compact and congested, 1-2 cm long and wide, trichotomous, rays
2-5 mm long, floccose to glabrous without, thinly tomentose within,
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
connate at base; peduncles, when present 1-1.5 mm long, floccose to
glabrous, erect; involucres solitary, narrowly turbinate, 3-3.5 mm
long, 1-1.5 mm wide, floccose to glabrous without, glabrous within,
5 acute lobes 0.3-0.4 mm long, bractlets oblanceolate, 1.8-2.5 mm
long, minutely fringed with capitate gland-shaped cells, pedicels
2.5-4.5 mm long, glabrous; flowers white with reddish-brown mid-ribs
and brownish-red bases, 3-3.5 mm long, glabrous within and without
except for microscopic glands along the mid-ribs within, sepals
similar; achenes 3-3.5 mm long (01).
There are no known synonyms for Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal.
Another common name for this plant is the Hotchkiss buckwheat.
Type: Colorado: Delta County: Along Colorado Highway 92,
8.6 miles west of the western edge of Hotchkiss, 0.9 miles east of the
Red Mesa turnoff and 3.1 miles west of Lazear, 11.5 miles east of
U.S. Highway 50 at Delta, on rolling clay hills associated with
scattered species of Atriplex and Eriogonum lonchophyllum, at 6400 ft
elevation, 16 July, 1972. Reveal and Reveal 2780. Holotype US,
Isotypes, 30 to be distributed from US (02).
The Colorado Natural Areas Inventory (03) has photographs on file
and has records for 19 occurrences (including the type) in their
files. Significant collections are those by O'Kane, Neely, and
Ferguson, O'Kane and Neely, and Neely at COLO and CS.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The clay-loving wild-buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal)
has been designated as Endangered 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 Colorado. Critical Habitat has been designated
3 miles east of Austin near Highway 92, T14S, R94W, 6th P.M., in
portions of Sections 26, 27, 28, 34, and 35, in Delta County, CO
(50 CFR 17.96(a)).
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.
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 BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
STATE: Colorado
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Colorado Division of Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: CO Natural Areas Act, CO Session Laws, 1977,
Ch. 471, Sec. 1, 1624 (CO Revised Statutes 1973,
36-10-101, et seq.).
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The clay-loving wild-buckwheat has value as a component of
Colorado's natural diversity.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Petitioned for listing
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed Rule, Endangered
78/04/26:43 FR 17909/ - Proposal for listing
80/12/15:45 FR 82479/82569 - A New Notice of Review
83/02/15:48 FR 06752/06753 - Notice of Petition may be warranted
83/06/22:48 FR 28504/28507 - Proposal to list
84/07/13:49 FR 28562/28565 - Listed as Endangered
85/09/27/50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of Review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Residential
Commercial and Services
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Streams and Canals
Bare Exposed Rock
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Habitat for Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal (clay-loving
wild-buckwheat) is in a low human population density area of Colorado.
However, extensive land use practices such as agriculture (mostly
pasture conversion), residential expansion, irrigation projects, oil
and gas exploration, possible gypsum mining, ORV use, and the grazing
of domestic livestock all are putting increasing pressure on the
species in the form of habitat destruction or alteration. Especially
on more gently sloping topography, an increasing human population base
will accelerate the loss of habitat critical to the species survival.
Areas not currently under agricultural or residential practices
are utilized for the grazing of livestock despite the fact that
vegetative productivity is signally low, that the clay soils are
easily impacted, especially during wet periods by stock trampling, and
the potential for severe soil erosion is high.
The Mancos Shale, a saline, calcareous, cretaceous deposit,
outcrops to form nearly barren adobe (clay) hills in the area from
approximately Montrose to Delta. The hygroscopicity of these soils
and the accompanying low rainfall (9.0 inches at Delta (09)) make for
an exceptionally rigorous environment where competition for available
water is intense. Because of the rigorous environment, attendant
plant communities are characterized by low canopy cover, low density,
low productivity, and relatively low species diversity.
Species able to survive here are xerophytic and the dominants are
primarily woody prostrate or low-growing shrubs. These woody species
include: Atriplex corrugata, A. confertifolia, A. cuneata, Artemisia
nova, Xylorxhiza sp. (aster), and Tetradymia sp. Herbaceous species
include: Halogeton glomeratus (rare), Eurotia lanata, Sitanion
hystrix, Elymus sp., and Agropyron sp.
In addition, the adobe areas also have an occasional population
of two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service candidate species: Lomatium
concinnum and Penstemon retrorsus (beardtongue).
The clay-loving wild-buckwheat prefers swales and bottoms, on all
aspects, where the competition for water is somewhat less severe.
When found, the species is codominant with other xerophytic shrubs or
subshrubs. There are several streams and creeks running throughout
the clay-loving wild-buckwheat's habitat near populations as are roads
and highways.
Anywhere in this area where the Mancos Shale, a cretaceous
formation high in salts and gypsum, outcrops to form barren adobe
(clay) hills, this species has the potential to be found. Flats at
the bases of these adobe hills also occasionally support this taxon.
However, much of these flats have been either converted to alfalfa
fields, residential sites with accompanying barns, pastures, or
corrals, railroad or paved roadbeds, or are severely impacted by
domestic livestock grazing. The adobe hills themselves are favored
Habitat Associations - 1 sites for off-road vehicle recreational use.
In some locations, where erosion is slight, a saline crust forms
on the substrate surface. Soil pH is basic. Slopes range from 0 to
30 degrees, with and average of 7.1 degrees. Elevation ranges from
5180 ft (1579 m) to 6240 ft (1902 m), with an average (of 19
occurrences) of 5764 ft (1757 m). The total number of known
individuals is approximately 64,150 plants. Occurrences range from
100 to 10,000 individuals (average 2,803). Occurrence size range from
1 to 80 acres (average 22.7 acres). Plant density of the species
ranges from 75 to 500 per acre (average 180.3 per acre) (01,03,04,05,
06,07,08,10).
Precise data for soil chemistry, quantitative phytosociology,
canopy cover, and density for associated species is not available.
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
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
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The clay-loving wild-buckwheat is a shrub/subscrub (01,02).
LIFE CYCLE:
This woody subshrub is a perennial (02).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (04,05,06,07,08). Underground reproductive structures are
not evident; however, some degree of vegetative root suckering may
occur (04).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
A germination date is unknown. Leaves begin to appear during the
last week in April and into the first week in May. The budding date
is also unknown. Flowers bloom from June through July or August, and
fruit appears anywhere from late June to late July or August. Seed
dispersal occurs during late July and August (01,02,04,05,06,07,08).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (02). Flowers of Eriogonum species are proandrous,
the androecium maturing 1 to 2 days prior to gynoecium maturation
(11).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Seeds of Eriogonum species are usually dispersed through passive
means, either by being consumed or carried by animals, windblown, or
moved by gravity or water. Often, seeds are moved intact in the
senescent flower, in an involucre, or when an entire inflorescence is
detached are carried. Flowers are produced over a long period of
time, therefore, brief events are not likely to significantly reduce
seed production. Nearly every flower will produce a seed. Ants have
been observed pollinating Eriogonum sp. flowers. Flowers are
proandrous, the androecium maturing 1 to 2 days before the stima is
receptive. If an outcrossing event does not occur when the stigma is
receptive, selfing will occur as the anthers brush the stigmas as the
flowers close at night (11).
SEED BIOLOGY:
All species of Eriogonum studied so far have seeds that require a
cold period (not necessarily freezing) to break dormancy. Some
species have at least a 5-year shelf life, however, no data are
available for seed longevity in situ. No data are available on
percent germination. Variations in seed production is on a plant to
plant, or population to population basis. Since every flower
produces one seed, factors affecting flower production are the only
factors affecting seed production (11). Data on scarification,
temperature, moisture, and light are not available (04,11).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Clay-loving wild-buckwheat occurs in plant communities
characterized by relatively low species diversity and a very low total
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
leaf area index and species density. Densities of Eriogonum range
from 75 to 500 individuals per acre (average 180.3 per acre). Even at
these densities, the species is a codominant of the associated
xerophytic plant community. On a smaller scale, since the species
tends to occupy swales and lower, more mesic, slope positions, its
density is considerably greater, providing to dominant aspect in areas
measured in a few to several square meters. The total number of known
individuals is approximately 64,150 plants. Occurrences range from
100 to 10,000 individuals (average 2,803). Occurrence size range from
1 to 80 acres (average 22.7 acres). Plant density of the species
ranges from 75 to 500 per acre (average 180.3 per acre) (01,03,04,05,
06,07,08,10). However, precise data on plant density are absent (03,
04).
Habitat severity and a lack of invading species capable of
dominating the sites indicate that Eriogonum pelinophilum communities
are stable, climax associations. Reproduction appears to occur as
senescent individuals die. Significant reproductive episodes may
occur during relatively wet years.
No data are available on causes of mortality other than
observations made on human induced habitat destruction or alteration.
Certainly some mortality is experienced due to frost heaving, soil
losses to erosion, exceptionally dry periods, and cracking of the clay
due to shrinking and swelling adjacent to individual plants. It is
probably that these same cracks provide the opportunity for seeds to
be introduced into the substrate (04). The species is limited to
xeric sites with a clay substrate high in salts and gypsum. There is
some potential for an increase in range onto unoccupied Mancos Shale
hills, however, recovery efforts should be directed at eliminating or
reducing continued habitat loss.
Precise data on limiting factors, survival/mortality rates,
density, population trends, and mortality are currently lacking (04).
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Eriogonum pelinophilum Reveal occurs exclusively on substrates
derived from the Mancos Shale which is high in salts and gypsum.
Generally soils are clays, or have a high clay content, and therefore,
although having the potential for a high moisture holding capacity,
have little available moisture (09). This is exacerbated by the low
rainfall in the region (9.0 inches for Delta) (10). Because of
intense competition for water, the habitat is sparsely vegetated.
Substrates are classified as Typic Torriorthents (10). Because
of low primary productivity, much of the habitat is unclassified by
the Soil Conservation Service and is said to be "badlands or rough
broken lands (10)." Habitat on more gentle slopes is classified into
three soil series (10). However, the clay-loving wild-buckwheat
generally occurs only on the finer textured series:
1) Chipeta Series - typic torriorthents, clayey mixed calcareous mesic
shallow.
2) Persayo Series - typic torriorthent, loamy mixed calcareous mesic
shallow (the surface is loamy, not a likely
substrate).
3) Killpack Series - typic torriorthent, fine silty mixed calcareous
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
mesic (found on toe slopes).
Sites, because of low vegetative cover, have a high degree of
solar insolation and high temperatures. The species is apparently a
good competitor for water (04).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (01,02,04,05,06,07,08).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Subdominant (04,05).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Species habitat consists of barren, grey clay hills and adjacent
toe slopes and run-off plains of the Mancos Shale. Because of the
high water potential of the clays, and low local precipitation,
available moisture is extremely limited. Associated plant communities
therefore, have low productivity and sparse canopy cover and density.
Dominant species, including the clay-loving wild-buckwheat in some
areas, are xerophytic shrubs or subshrubs (subfruticose). The aspect
of the vegetation is generally flat with a large component of the
dominants being low-growing or prostrate mat-formers.
Typically associated species include: Atriplex corrugata,
A. confertifolia, A. cuneata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Eurotia
lanata, Tetradymia sp., Elymus sp., Sitanion hystrix, Artemisia nova,
and Agropyron sp. Two candidate species are also occasionally
encountered, Lomatium concinnum and Penstemon retrorsus (03).
Associated communities are probably climax (04).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Irrigating
Existing Irrigating
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Although the clay-loving wild-buckwheat occurs in a low human
density area of Colorado, its threats are manifold.
Much of the clay-loving wild-buckwheat's habitat has been either
converted to alfalfa fields, residential sites with accompanying
barns, pastures, or corrals, railroad or paved road.
Expansion of the population base in the Montrose and Delta areas
has caused residential encroachment onto habitats previously occupied
by the plant. In one especially conspicuous case, a small fenced area
has not been converted to home-sites or pasturage. This perfectly
square area has a high density population of the buckwheat.
Residential and pasture encroachment is limited primarily to
relatively level areas at the bases of the adobe hills.
Tracts of land not directly influenced by homes or pastures is
subject to heavy domestic livestock grazing. These clays, easily
eroded lands are especially impacted during wet periods when large and
deep impressions are made in the soil by animal hooves. Despite the
fact that the buckwheat is most likely unpalatable to livestock, stock
has a detrimental effect on its habitat by increasing erosion,
especially on slope positions, and by direct physical damage by
trampling.
The known habitat is dissected by roads, paved and unpaved, and
railroads. An increasing population will exacerbate this situation.
Near the towns of Montrose and Delta, city expansion is already poised
to extirpate populations of the species.
The adobe hills, the primary habitat, are subject to a great
amount of off-road vehicle use. The smooth, barren nature of the
hills attract ORV users to this recreational area (BLM) from a large
area. The sparsely vegetated hills are prone to severe erosion as
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
evidenced by deep rills on those hills receiving the heaviest ORV use.
The land between Montrose and Delta has an exceptionally dense
concentration of irrigation canals and ditches for water diversion.
Intensified agricultural uses will necessitate an increased loss of
habitat to irrigation projects (03,04,05,06,08).
Due to the nature of the Mancos Shale, and underlying strata, the
area has a high potential for oil and gas development. Should the
need for these commodities increase, as well as for gypsum, another
component of the adobe hills, the buckwheat's habitat will be subject
to use of heavy equipment for oil and gas exploration as well as
surface mines for gypsum.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species BUCKWHEAT, WILD-, CLAY-LOVING
Species Id ESIS706006
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Peterson, J.S. 1982. Abstract for Eriogonum pelinophilum.
(Unpubl.). Colo. Nat. Areas Inventory, Denver.
02 Reveal, J.L. 1973. A new subfruticose Eriogonum (Polygonaceae)
from western Colorado. Great Basin Nat. 33:120-122.
03 Colorado Natural Areas Inventory. Denver, CO.
04 O'Kane, S.L., Jr. 1985. Field work performed at Colorado
Natural Areas Inventory. Denver, CO.
05 Neely, B. 1885. Pers. comm. Rocky Mtn. Heritage Task Force,
Denver, CO.
06 Ferguson, J. 1985. Pers. comm. Bur. of Land Mgmt, Uncompahgre
Res. Area, Montrose, CO.
07 Neese, E. 1984. Field work performed for Colorado Natural
Heritage Inventory. Salt Lake City, UT.
08 Peterson, J.S. 1985. Field work performed for the Rocky Mountain
Heritage Task Force. Denver, CO.
09 Barbour, M.G., J.H. Burke, and W.D. Pitts. 1980. Terrestrial
plant ecology. Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co., Inc. Menlo Park, CA.
10 Tripp, W.P. 1985. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. Delta, CO.
11 Reveal, J.L. 1985. Pers. comm. Univ. of Maryland, Dept. of
Botany. College Park, MD.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Chronic, J. and H. Chronic. 1972. Prairie Peak and Plateau.
Colo. Geol. Surv. Bull. 32. Denver, CO.
02 Chronic, H. 1980. Roadside geology of Colorado. Mtn. Press Pub.
Co., Missoula.
03 Colorado Natural Areas Inventory. 1313 Sherman St., Room 718,
Denver, CO.
04 Reveal, J.L. 1973. A new subfruticose Eriogonum (Polygonaceae)
from western Colorado. Great Basin Nat. 33:120-122.
05 Neese, E. 1984. Field work performed for the Colorado Natural
Heritage Inventory. Denver, CO.
06 Neely, B. 1985. Field work performed for the Rocky Mountain
Heritage Task Force. Denver, CO.
07 O'Kane, S.L., Jr. 1985. Field work performed for the Colorado
Natural Areas Inventory. Denver, CO.
References - 1