Plagiobothrys hirtus
Encyclopedia
Plagiobothrys hirtus is a plant species with only about a dozen reportedly extant occurrences, all within the Umpqua River
watershed in Douglas County, Oregon
. It is federally listed endangered in the United States of America. In fact P. hirtus is now considered to be one of the top three most endangered vascular plant
species in the Northwest. The state of Oregon
has ranked this plant as its number one recovery priority due to its high degree of threat as well as its high rating in recovery potential. Its recovery depends on conservation of existing populations as well as reintroduction of new populations in protected and species-appropriate areas.
The habitat
s most suitable for P. hirtus are seasonal wetlands, which are inundated with water from late fall until spring, but may dry out in summer. However, development, agriculture, and fire suppression have all played a role in the alteration and elimination of much of this species’ habitat. After overwintering submerged in water, this facultatively perennial herb bears a basal rosette of leaves which gives rise to a hairy flowering stalk that can be up to 70 cm tall. These stalks bear spirals of white and yellow inflorescences of five-petaled flowers. The flowers are self-compatible
, but need insects to achieve pollination
and significant seed set, and can produce up to four tan- to black-colored, one-seeded nutlets. Recruitment is highly viable in the greenhouse, with a 65 to 95 percent germination rate, and cultivated plants transplant well into the field. These two – high viability and prolific growth after transplanting—are what make the reintroduction of the species so promising.
Reintroduced populations of P. hirtus established by the Oregon Department of Agriculture
have been thriving for sixteen years. To date, reintroductions projects have been successful in augmenting existing and creating new populations of the species, with plants persisting since the initial 1998 reintroductions. During this time, information has also been gathered concerning the life history and establishment ecology of the species. Under careful monitoring and management, this species now has an excellent chance to be self-sustaining in the future, assuming additional populations can be established on administratively protected lands.
Umpqua River
The Umpqua River on the Pacific coast of Oregon in the United States is approximately long. One of the principal rivers of the Oregon Coast and known for bass and shad, the river drains an expansive network of valleys in the mountains west of the Cascade Range and south of the Willamette Valley,...
watershed in Douglas County, Oregon
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
. It is federally listed endangered in the United States of America. In fact P. hirtus is now considered to be one of the top three most endangered vascular plant
Vascular plant
Vascular plants are those plants that have lignified tissues for conducting water, minerals, and photosynthetic products through the plant. Vascular plants include the clubmosses, Equisetum, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms...
species in the Northwest. The state of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
has ranked this plant as its number one recovery priority due to its high degree of threat as well as its high rating in recovery potential. Its recovery depends on conservation of existing populations as well as reintroduction of new populations in protected and species-appropriate areas.
The habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s most suitable for P. hirtus are seasonal wetlands, which are inundated with water from late fall until spring, but may dry out in summer. However, development, agriculture, and fire suppression have all played a role in the alteration and elimination of much of this species’ habitat. After overwintering submerged in water, this facultatively perennial herb bears a basal rosette of leaves which gives rise to a hairy flowering stalk that can be up to 70 cm tall. These stalks bear spirals of white and yellow inflorescences of five-petaled flowers. The flowers are self-compatible
Self-incompatibility in plants
Self-incompatibility is a general name for several genetic mechanisms in angiosperms, which prevent self-fertilization and thus encourage outcrossing...
, but need insects to achieve pollination
Pollination
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilisation and sexual reproduction. Pollen grains transport the male gametes to where the female gamete are contained within the carpel; in gymnosperms the pollen is directly applied to the ovule itself...
and significant seed set, and can produce up to four tan- to black-colored, one-seeded nutlets. Recruitment is highly viable in the greenhouse, with a 65 to 95 percent germination rate, and cultivated plants transplant well into the field. These two – high viability and prolific growth after transplanting—are what make the reintroduction of the species so promising.
Reintroduced populations of P. hirtus established by the Oregon Department of Agriculture
Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is the agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon responsible for promoting and regulating food production and safety. It is headed by the Director of Agriculture, appointed by the Governor of Oregon subject to senate confirmation, advised by a board...
have been thriving for sixteen years. To date, reintroductions projects have been successful in augmenting existing and creating new populations of the species, with plants persisting since the initial 1998 reintroductions. During this time, information has also been gathered concerning the life history and establishment ecology of the species. Under careful monitoring and management, this species now has an excellent chance to be self-sustaining in the future, assuming additional populations can be established on administratively protected lands.