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Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation 1

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

Rare Plant Monitoring

2017 Annual Report

SUMMARY

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation’s rare plant monitoring project harnesses the

energy and expertise of citizen scientists to provide critically‐needed information on the status

of Washington State’s rare plant species. We partner with the Washington Natural Heritage

Program to update information on known occurrences of rare plants on public lands in

Washington. Citizen scientists visit rare plants populations and report on their status and the

condition of the habitat where they occur. Field reports submitted by rare plant monitors are

provided to the Washington Natural Heritage Program, and to federal, state, and local land

managers to inform short‐term and long‐term conservation practices.

In 2017, 132 reports were completed for sites throughout the state, mostly on public lands.

Monitors found the rare plant species at 62% of the sites. Eight sites found by volunteers

represented potentially new occurrences tracked by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

Rare Care trained 29 new volunteers in 2017 and 110 volunteers participated in the project

statewide.

INTRODUCTION

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) engages citizen scientists to monitor

rare native plants at sites across Washington State in partnership with the Washington Natural

Heritage Program (WNHP). WNHP lists 336 plant species as endangered, threatened, or

sensitive to decline in Washington State, and an additional 169 species as review species. Many

of the 3,500 occurrences of rare plants tracked by WNHP are visited very infrequently;

therefore, the statuses of these occurrences are unknown. Rare plant monitoring addresses this

information gap by engaging volunteers to visit and report on the rare plant occurrences and

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences College of the Environment


the condition of the habitats in which they reside. This report provides a summary of the

accomplishments for the rare plant monitoring project in 2017.

Objectives for the program include:

Providing critical and more frequent data to support scientists and land managers in

identifying trends in plant‐population changes, testing assumptions about climate

change and other anthropomorphic impacts on native plants, and understanding

ecosystem interactions,

Producing key reports and information for managers of public lands to aid in

managing sensitive plant species,

Helping to evaluate national conservation strategies and approaches and

Generate stories to spark an increased interest in the value of native plants among

the public.

At the start of each year, volunteers select one or more occurrences of rare plants to monitor

from a list of priorities developed by Rare Care. Rare plant occurrences on the priority list are

mostly located on public lands. Volunteers are provided with information about the occurrence,

including the contact person at the public agency where the population occurs, mapping of the

occurrence, and information from previous surveyors. Volunteers are responsible for

researching access to the occurrence, how to identify the target species, and when the optimal

time for conducting the site visit. Information collected during the site visit includes population

size and phenology, characteristics of the habitat, location of plants at the site, invasive species,

pollinators, and management concerns.

Volunteers submit field reports and

maps to Rare Care, which are

provided to WNHP and to public

agencies responsible for conserving

these populations. Through WNHP,

these data are available to scientists

and land managers working on

conservation issues and making land

use decisions across the state and

the nation.

The pink blooms of the snowball cactus (Pedicactus nigrispinus) nestle

among the dense black‐tipped spines of the cactus. This population was

monitored to assess impacts of recent wildfires. Photo by Barbara

Varnum‐Finney.


Volunteers participating in the project are required to have previous experience identifying

native plants in the field. In addition, Rare Care volunteers demonstrate a strong interest in

native plant conservation and are required attend a 1‐day training session to learn the

monitoring protocols.

2017 PRIORITIES

Rare Care develops a list of potential sites to be monitored each season based on a set of

priorities developed in conjunction with WNHP and managers at partnering agencies. The

highest priority are given to 1) monitoring occurrences specifically requested by land managers

of public agencies where rare plant populations occur and 2) Rare Care’s focus species. Focus

species are those that Rare Care designate in order to complete the monitoring of all of their

occurrences on public lands in a five‐year time frame.

High priority is also given to monitoring occurrences whose records in the WNHP database had

not recently been updated. Within this group, higher emphasis is placed on species considered

to be threatened or endangered under WNHP’s ranking system; therefore, these sites are

selected if they have not been monitored in the past five years. For other species, sites are

selected if they have not been monitored within the past 10 years in western Washington and

Oregon goldenaster (Heterotheca oregona), shown in foreground, was a 2017 focus species. It occurs on cobble bars

along rivers and streams in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Photo by Niall Dunne.


the past 20 years in central and eastern Washington. Priority is also placed on monitoring

occurrences that were not found by Rare Care volunteers in previous years. After three

unsuccessful attempts have been made to locate an occurrence, Rare Care considers the

occurrence to be extirpated and will no longer include it on the list of monitoring priorities in

future years.

2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Rare Care completeded 132 field reports on rare plant occurrences in 2017 (see Table 1). These

included 106 sites of know populations selected from Rare Care’s priority list, eight potentially

new sites discovered by volunteers during the field season and 18 generated as part of Rare

Care’s annual monitoring weekend. In addition,

a group of volunteers surveyed a parcel owned

by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife

Department in Klickitat County to identify rare

plants on the site, and one species was found.

The rare plant species was successfully relocated

at 73 of the known occurrences, and at an

additional two occurrences, volunteers were

uncertain of the ID of the species they found.

These occurrences will need to be revisited. Six

volunteers were unable to reach their site

because of challenging terrain or access

constraints. For these sites, volunteers provided

reports that include valuable access information

for future surveyors.

Sites were located across Washington State on federal, state, and local public lands as well as a

couple of private properties (see Figure 1). Approximately 67 percent of the sites were on

federal land and 35 percent were on state lands (some sites occurred on two or more

jurisdictions). They included sites in the North Cascades and Olympic National Parks, all

National Forests in Washington except Kaniksu National Forest, Bureau of Land Management

lands, three National Wildlife Refuges (Turnbull, Conboy Lake, Saddle Mountain), Hanford

Reach National Monument, Yakima Training Center, Joint Base Lewis‐McChord, Washington

Department of Natural Resources lands (including NCRAs, NAPs, and state forests and trust

lands), seven Wildlife Areas managed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

(Asotin Creek, Chief Joseph, Lt, Murray, Crab Creek, Colockum, Klickitat and Columbia Basin),

The small annual bristle‐flowered collomia (Collomia

macrocalyx) was one of four species monitored at the

Yakima Training Center. Photo by Richard Johnson.


and six State Parks (Battle Ground Lake, Columbia Hills, Federation Forest, Field Springs,

Horsethief Lake and Sun Lakes).

Figure 1. Land ownership of sites monitored by Rare Care volunteers in 2017.

The 2017 season started with a very wet spring, and consequently it was a good year for

annuals. Volunteers successfully relocated one of two white eatonella populations (Eatonella

nivea), a tiny annual that occurs on pea‐sized gravel in the Columbia Basin. Two of four dwarf

evening primrose populations (Eremothera pygmaea) were found, as was a population of

beaked cryptantha (Cryptantha rostellata) and bristle‐flowered collomia (Collomia macrocalyx).

However, miner’s candle (Cryptantha scoparia) was not successfully relocated in 2017, and Rare

Care will make another attempt at this population in 2018

Rare Care also continued to focus on species and populations impacted by recent wildfires.

Most of these sites occurred in central Washington from Klickitat County north to Chelan

County. They included populations of Columbia milk‐vetch (Astragalus columbianus), pauper

milk‐vetch (Astragalus misellus var. pauper), Snake River Cryptantha (Cryptantha spiculifera),

tufted evening‐primrose (Oenethera cespitosa ssp. cespitosa), snowball cactus (Pediocactus

nigrispinus), fuzzytongue penstemon (Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii) and Thompson’s

clover (Trifolium thompsonii). In all instances except for the Snake River Cryptantha, the

population was relocated and hundreds to thousands of plants were observed. The Snake River

U.S. Forest Service

Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Department of Defense

National Park Service

U.S. Corps of Engineers

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Washington Department of Natural Resources

Washington State Parks and Recreation

Washington Department of Transportation

Private Land

Municipality

Public Utility District


cryptantha population was determined to be

a mis‐identification, but a voucher specimen

should be collected from the population to

confirm this conclusion.

At each site, rare plant monitors also

collected valuable information on the

condition of the habitat in the vicinity of the

rare plant populations and noted potential

management concerns. Surveyors reported

invasive species at 53% of the sites (Table 2)

and reported potential land use and

management concerns at 41% of the sites

(Table 3).

Rare Care’s annual monitoring weekend occurred June 2‐4, 2017 in the Asotin Creek Wildlife

Area and Umatilla National Forest in Blue Mountains of Washington. This region of the state is

infrequently botanized due to its remoteness from population centers; therefore, the event

offered an opportunity to focus on species rarely monitored by Rare Care. Nineteen volunteers

joined Rare Care staff and interns and botanists from the US Forest Service and WNHP over the

three‐day weekend, revisiting 13 known occurrences representing nine rare plants. Four

occurrences of Arthur’s milk‐vetch (Astragalus arthurii) were successfully relocated and

documented to contain populations from 7 to thousands of individuals. We also visited four

Rollins’ desert‐parsley (Lomatium rollinsii) sites where populations ranged in size from 40 to

more than 5,000. Other species monitored included tufted evening‐primrose (Oenethera

cespitosa ssp. cespitosa), stalk‐leaved monkeyflower (Erythranthe patula), and Snake River

daisy (Erigeron disparipilus). All of these species were successfully located and had healthy

populations of hundreds to thousands of plants. Finally, two populations of Idaho gooseberry

(Ribes oxyacanthoides var. irriguum) were revisited, and while one population was successfully

relocated and found to contain 91 plants, the other population appeared to be a mis‐

identification.

It is commonly observed that rare plants tend to cluster, and with so many observer in the field

during the monitoring weekend, it is not surprising that the group identified and documented

five new populations of rare plants during the weekend. These included three new Snake River

daisy populations, which may be more abundant that records suggest, and one population each

of Rollins’ desert‐parsley and wax current (Ribes cereum var. colubrinum). The Snake River daisy

populations were found on rocky, shallow soils along ridgelines and typically held hundreds to

White eatonella (Eatonella nivea), an annual found in the

Columbia basin, only occurs in Washington on sites with

pea‐sized gravel derived from basalt. Photo by Julia Bent.


thousands of plants. The new Rollins’ desert‐

parsley population was found within an

Arthur’s milk‐vetch population, and while

only nine plants were found, there are likely

more in the area. The wax current was

abundant along a drainage of the Asotin

Creek Wildlife Area.

Rare Care volunteers documented three

other new populations from around

Washington in 2017. A volunteer discovered

an undocumented population of 26

spleenwort‐leaved goldthread (Coptis

aspleniifolia) in the Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie National Forest while on route to a different

population of the same species. In Klickitat County, two volunteers found a population of

common bluecup (Githopsis specularioides) while hiking in the Klickitat Wildlife Area. Finally,

volunteers documented a large population of Bolander’s linanthus (Leptosiphon bolanderi)

while conducting a reconnaissance survey of a new property acquisition for the Klickitat Wildlife

Area.

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS Rare Care’s citizen scientists provide invaluable contributions to conserving rare plant biodiversity.

For many populations, the site visits made by volunteers represent the only time these population

were visited and assessed in recent decades. Land managers rely on the valuable information that

volunteers document in their field reports to manage and protect these sensitive species and their

habitats. In 2017, 110 volunteers devoted 3,319 hours to rare plant monitoring statewide. This

includes hours dedicated to training, preparation and planning, field work and report writing.

Rare Care offered two trainings for volunteers in 2017, one in Seattle and one in Pasco. The

trainings were attended by 29 new volunteers and six returning volunteers who were seeking a

refresher on the protocol. Rare Care also offered an orienteering training for volunteers that was

taught by The Mountaineers.

Rare Care volunteers Barbara Varnum‐Finney and Susan

Varnum hike up a ridge in the Blue Mountains to monitor a

population of (Astragalus arthurii) during Rare Care’s annual

monitoring weekend. Photo by Wendy Gibble.


ADDENDUM TO THE 2016 MONITORING RESULTS

Rare Care received one additional monitoring reports from a volunteer after the 2016 Annual

Report was finalized (Table 4). With this report, the total number of occurrences monitored in 2016

was 143.

LEFT: Volunteers at the February 25, 2017 training in Seattle. Joe Arnett, WNHP botanist, assisted with the training

(pictured at right end of the top row). Photo by Jennifer Youngman. RIGHT: Volunteers at the March 4, 2017 training in

Pasco, WA. Photo by Wendy Gibble.

Table 1. Rare plant monitoring results for 2017.

Species NameEO

Num1State

Status2 Visit Date Species Found

Pop. Size3 Managed Area Owner

Actaea elata var. elata 14 S 7/18/2017 Yes 96Cape Horn Conservancy, Columbia River Gorge

National Scenic Area

PVTUUU,

USAFS

Actaea elata var. elata 24 S 7/23/2017 Yes 27 Battle Ground Lake State Park ST SPR

Agoseris elata 15 S 8/30/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Allium campanulatum 3 T 7/31/2017 No Naches RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Arabis olympica 2 R1 8/5/2017 No Hood Canal RD, Olympic NF USAFS

Astragalus arthurii 12 S 6/2/2017 Yes 2200 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area, Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NFST DFW,

USAFS

Astragalus arthurii 15 S 6/3/2017 Yes 7 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area, Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NFST DFW,

USAFS

Astragalus arthurii 18 S 6/4/2017 Yes 1,000s Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Astragalus arthurii 22 S 6/3/2017 Yes 135 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Astragalus columbianus 25 S 4/26/2017 Yes 5037 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Astragalus columbianus 29 S 5/2/2017 NoYakima Training Center, Bureau of Land Management

Spokane District

USADOD,

USABLM

Astragalus misellus var.

pauper30 S 4/22/2017 Yes 330

Lt Murray Wildlife Area, Bureau of Land Management

Spokane District

ST DFW,

USABLM

Bolandra oregana 3 T 5/22/2017 No Washougal Oaks NAP ST DNR

Botrychium ascendens 6 S 5/25/2017 No Darrington RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Calochortus macrocarpus var.

maculosus11 S 7/16/2017 Yes 744 Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NF USAFS


maculosus24 S 6/15/2017 Yes 1 Private land PVTUUU


maculosus27 S 6/15/2017

Site not

reachedBureau of Land Management Vale District USABLM

Campanula lasiocarpa 6 S 8/5/2017 No Darrington RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Carex macrochaeta 1 T 8/26/2017Site not

reachedNorth Cascades National Park USANPS

Carex pauciflora 16 S 8/7/2017 YesSnoqualmie RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF, Cle Elum

RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NFUSAFS

Carex pauciflora 16 S 8/7/2017 YesSnoqualmie RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF, Cle Elum

RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NFUSAFS


Table 1. Rare plant monitoring results for 2017 (continued).

Species NameEO

Num1State



Chaenactis thompsonii 34 S 8/6/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Chaenactis thompsonii 34 S 8/6/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Chrysolepis chrysophylla var.

chrysophylla1 S 10/16/2017 No Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS


chrysophylla1 S 10/16/2017 No Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS


chrysophylla12 S 10/17/2017 No DNR South Puget Sound Region ST DNR


chrysophylla38 S 10/17/2017 No DNR South Puget Sound Region ST DNR

Cicuta bulbifera 20 S 8/22/2017 Yes 6 Little Pend Oreille River NAP ST DNR

Coeloglossum viride var.

virescens7 T 6/26/2017 No Tonasket RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Collomia macrocalyx 9 T 5/8/2017 Yes 40 Yakima Training Center USADOD

Coptis aspleniifolia New4 S 6/23/2017 Yes 26 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 15 T 8/24/2017 No Mt St Helens NVM, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 20 T 7/20/2017 No Mt Adams RD, Mt St Helens NVM, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 20 T 7/15/2017 Yes35

stemsMt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 44 T 6/25/2017 Yes 5 Mt St Helens NVM, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 45 T 6/26/2017 No Mt St Helens NVM, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 53 T 6/21/2017Site not

reachedMt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Cryptantha gracilis 11 S 4/28/2017 No Sun Lakes State Park ST SPR

Cryptantha leucophaea 17 T 5/1/2017 No Juniper Forest ACEC, Juniper Dunes EWA USABLM

Cryptantha leucophaea 45 T 5/20/2017 No Crab Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Cryptantha rostellata 16 T 5/26/2017 Yes ~1000 Badger Gulch NAP ST DNR

Cryptantha scoparia 4 S 4/28/2017 No Sun Lakes State Park ST SPR

Cryptantha spiculifera 28 S 6/17/2017 Yes 61 Bureau of Land Management ‐ Spokane District USABLM

Cryptantha spiculifera 35 S 5/15/2017 Yes 208 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM



Species NameEO

Num1State



Cypripedium parviflorum 20 S 6/3/2017 Yes156

stemsBureau of Land Management ‐ Spokane District USABLM

Delphinium viridescens 20 T 7/21/2017 Yes 76 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Delphinium viridescens 36 T 7/20/2017 No Cle Elum RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Dryopteris cristata 2 S 7/21/2017 Yes 78 Sullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS

Eatonella nivea 7 T 5/2/2017 Yes 219 Saddle Mountain NWR, Hanford ERP USAFWS

Eatonella nivea 9 T 5/2/2017 No Saddle Mountain NWR, Hanford ERP USAFWS

Epipactis gigantea None5 W 7/31/2017 Yes Olympic National Park USANPS

Epipactis gigantea None5 W 7/29/2017 Yes Olympic National Park USANPS

Eremothera pygmaea 14 S 6/3/2017 No Yakima Training Center USADOD

Eremothera pygmaea 24 S 5/6/2017 Yes 107Wahluke Slope, South Columbia Basin Wildlife Area,

Hanford ERPUSAFWS

Eremothera pygmaea 24 S 5/7/2017 Yes >500Wahluke Slope, South Columbia Basin Wildlife Area,

Hanford ERPUSAFWS

Eremothera pygmaea 3 S 5/10/2017 No Sun Lakes State Park ST SPR

Erigeron disparipilus 6 S 6/2/2017 Yes 1,450 Fields Spring State Park ST SPR

Erigeron disparipilus New4 S 6/3/2017 Yes 800 Asotin Creek Wildlife Area, Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NFST DFW,

USAFS

Erigeron disparipilus New4 S 6/2/2017 Yes 425 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Erigeron disparipilus New4 S 6/4/2017 Yes 100s Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Eriophorum viridicarinatum 1 S 7/14/2017 No Sullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS

Erythranthe patula 10 T 6/4/2017 Yes5,000‐

10,000Asotin Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Erythranthe suksdorfii 5 S 4/28/2017 Yes 1,000s Sun Lakes State Park ST SPR

Eurybia merita 7 T 7/21/2017 Yes 180 Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Fritillaria camschatcensis 3 T 6/13/2017 No Darrington RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Fritillaria camschatcensis 8 T 7/8/2017 Yes 2 Morning Star NRCA ST DNR

Gentiana glauca None5 S 8/8/2017 Yes 22 Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Geum rivale 5 S 8/12/2017 Yes 111 Sullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS

Githopsis specularioides 15 S 6/8/2017 No Bald Hill NAP ST DNR

Githopsis specularioides New4 S 5/17/2017 Yes 200 Klickitat Wildlife Area ST DFW



Species NameEO

Num1State



Heterotheca oregona 7 S 9/9/2017 No Federation Forest State Park ST SPR

Heterotheca oregona 9 S 8/14/2017 Yes 700 Hood Canal RD, Olympic NF USAFS

Iliamna longisepala 101 S 6/29/2017Site not

reachedWenatchee River RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Iliamna longisepala 9 S 7/16/2017 No Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Impatiens noli‐tangere 3 T 7/21/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Lasthenia glaberrima 1 T 7/10/2017 NoColumbia Hills State Park, Columbia River Gorge

National Scenic Area

ST SPR,

USAFS

Leptosiphon bolanderi 10 S 5/17/2017 Yes 40,000 Klickitat Wildlife Area ST DFW

Leptosiphon bolanderi New4 S 6/17/2017 Yes 100s Klickitat Wildlife Area ST DFW

Lobelia dortmanna None5 T 7/15/2017 Yes Olympic National Park USANPS

Lobelia dortmanna None5 T 7/26/2017 Yes Olympic National Park USANPS

Lobelia kalmii 2 E 8/23/2017Site not

reachedYakima Training Center USADOD

Lomatium laevigatum 13 T 3/27/2017 Yes 88 Horsethief Lake, Columbia Hills State Park ST SPR

Lomatium rollinsii 13 T 6/4/2017 Yes >5,000 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Lomatium rollinsii 16 T 6/2/2017 Yes 1,000s Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NF USAFS

Lomatium rollinsii 21 T 6/2/2017 Yes 40 Asotin Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Lomatium rollinsii 21 T 6/3/2017 Yes 76 Asotin Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Lomatium rollinsii New4 T 6/4/2017 Yes 9 Chief Joseph Wildlife Area ST DFW

Lomatium serpentinum 4 S 4/17/2017 No Mill Creek Project, US Army Corps of Engineers USACOE

Lycopodium dendroideum 10 S 10/7/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Lycopodium dendroideum 3 S 10/7/2017 No Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Muhlenbergia glomerata 3 S 7/21/2017 Yes >120 Sullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS

Oenothera cespitosa ssp.

cespitosaNone5 S 5/15/2017 Yes 700 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM


marginata6 T 6/17/2017 Yes 18 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM


marginata7 T 6/3/2017 Yes 675 Asotin Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Orobanche californica spp.

grayanaNone5 E 8/10/2017 Yes

500‐

1000Klickitat Canyon NRCA, Conboy Lake NWR

ST DNR,

USAFWS



Species NameEO

Num1State



Orthocarpus bracteosus 9 T 7/24/2017 Yes 1356 Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Parnassia palustris var.

neogaea14 S 7/24/2017 Yes 1 Hood Canal RD, Olympic NF USAFS

Pediocactus nigrispinus 30 S 5/6/2017 Yes 292 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Pediocactus nigrispinus 6 S 5/27/2017 Yes >500 Colockum Wildlife Area ST DFW

Pellaea breweri 8 S 8/25/2017 Yes594

stemsCle Elum RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Pellaea breweri 9 S 8/18/2017 No Hood Canal RD, Olympic NF USAFS

Penstemon eriantherus var.

whitediiNone5 NR 5/15/2017 Yes Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Penstemon wilcoxii 6 T 7/10/2017 No Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Perideridia oregana 3 S 7/17/2017 Yes 580 Lacamas Lake Regional Park LOCCTY

Platanthera chorisiana 12 T 8/24/2017 No Morning Star NRCA ST DNR

Platanthera chorisiana 13 T 8/9/2017 Yes 12 Morning Star NRCA ST DNR

Platanthera chorisiana 3 T 8/16/2017 Yes 10 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker‐Snoqualmie NF USAFS

Polemonium pectinatum 43 T 5/29/2017 Yes 14 Bureau of Land Management ‐ Spokane District USABLM

Potamogeton obtusifolius 6 S 8/26/2017 Yes 8 San Juan County Land Bank PVTUUU

Potentilla glaucophylla var.

perdissecta3 S 8/13/2017 No Chopaka Mountain NAP ST DNR

Potentilla jepsonii 1 R1 8/14/2017 Yes 227 Chopaka Mountain NAP ST DNR

Potentilla nivea 4 S 8/14/2017 Yes 100 Chopaka Mountain NAP ST DNR

Ranunculus triternatus 13 E 3/30/2017Site not

reachedKlickitat Wildlife Area ST DFW

Ribes cereum var.

colubrinumNew4 E 6/2/2017 Yes

numero

usAsotin Creek Wildlife Area ST DFW

Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp.

irriguum15 T 6/2/2017 Yes 91 Fields Spring State Park ST SPR


irriguum24 T 6/2/2017 No Pomeroy RD, Umatilla NF USAFS

Rotala ramosior None5 T 7/29/2017 No Conboy Lake NWR USAFWS

Salix candida 1 T 7/14/2017 Yes85‐95

stemsSullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS



Species NameEO

Num1State



Salix pseudomonticola 2 S 7/14/2017 Yes55

stemsSullivan Lake RD, Colville NF USAFS

Salix sessilifolia 1 S 5/23/2017 Yes1,000

stemsEdgewater Park LOCCTY

Silene douglasii var.

monantha15 NR 7/26/2017 Uncertain 101 Table Mountain / Greenleaf Peak NRCA ST DNR

Silene spaldingii 61 T 7/21/2017 Yes 18 Turnbull NWR USAFWS

Silene spaldingii 62 T 7/21/2017 No Turnbull NWR USAFWS

Spiranthes porrifolia 22 S 8/16/2017 No Frenchman's Bar Regional Park LOCCTY

Synthyris pinnatifida var.

lanuginosa8 S 8/11/2017 Yes 20 Hood Canal RD, Olympic NF USAFS

Tauschia hooveri 17 S 3/17/2017 Yes 3,000 Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Tauschia hooveri 18 S 3/25/2017 Yes2,000‐

3,750Bureau of Land Management Spokane District USABLM

Trifolium thompsonii 1 T 6/23/2017 Yes 67,000 Entiat RD, Okanogan‐Wenatchee NF USAFS

Trillium parviflorum 20 S 5/23/2017 Yes 1,500 Joint Base Lewis McChord USADOD

Trillium parviflorum 23 S 5/17/2017 Yes 550 Joint Base Lewis McChord USADOD

Trillium parviflorum 41 S 4/25/2017 Yes >3,000 Joint Base Lewis McChord USADOD

Veratrum insolitum 1 E 7/12/2017 Uncertain 64DNR Southeast Region, Columbia River Gorge National

Scenic Area

ST DNR,

USAFS

Notes:1. EO num is the element occurrence number assigned to the site by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

2. State Status: E = endangered, R1 = review species (group 1), R2 = reivew species (group 2), S = sensitive, T = threatened,

X = possibly extinct or extirpated from Washington.

3. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.

4. Potentially new site that may not be in WNHP database.

5. Site identified by land owner or other party and may not be in WNHP database.


Table 2. Invasive species documented at rare plant occurrences monitored by Rare Care in 2017 (continued).

Species Name EO Num

Species Found Owner Invasive Species Observed Invasive Species Comments

Actaea elata var. elata 24 Yes ST SPR Hedera helix

Hedera helix was prevalent on the ground layer and

appeared that it could affect space available to other

plants.

Astragalus arthurii 12 YesST DFW,

USAFS

Bromus tectorum, Poa bulbosa,

Tragopogon dubius, Hypericum

perforatum


USAFScheat grass nearby

Astragalus arthurii 18 Yes ST DFWBromus tectorum, Tragopogon

dubius

B. tectorum in a few scattered patches. Scattered

individuals of T. dubius .

Astragalus columbianus 25 Yes USABLMBromus tectorum, Poa bulbosa,

Draba verna

There is a severe invasion of Bromus tectorum that has

completely filled in the habitat and poses a continuous fire

hazard for the native species present. Draba verna and

Poa bulbosa is also present in all areas surveyed.

Astragalus misellus var.

pauper30 Yes

ST DFW,

USABLMBromus tectorum B. tectorum at lower elevation

Bolandra oregana 3 No ST DNR

Geranium lucidum, Lapsana

communis, Erodium cicutarium,

Rubus bifrons, Trifolium

subterraneum, Bromus

commutatus, Polygonum

cuspidatum, Hedera helix, other

non‐native grasses

Increased pressure from invasive weeds. Geranium

lucidum especially competing on good dripping rock faces,

but also others. These may compete not just for space but

also water.

Botrychium ascendens 6 No USAFS

Leucanthemum vulgare, Digitalis

sp., Hypericum sp., Ranunculus

repens

Calochortus macrocarpus

var. maculosus11 Yes USAFS

Tragopogon dubius, Bromus

tectorum, Lactuca serriolaNone in great numbers.



Species Name EO Num


Calochortus macrocarpus

var. maculosus24 Yes PVTUUU

Croton setiger, Centaurea

solstitialis, Linaria dalmatica,

Bromus secalinus

Large patches of Centaurea solstialis & Bromus secalinus

Campanula lasiocarpa 6 No USAFSIce caves move annually, disturbance and land use threats

due to heavy human foot traffic.

Chrysolepis chrysophylla

var. chrysophylla12 No ST DNR

A lot of nonnative annuals along easement road up from

Stetson Lake.

Chrysolepis chrysophylla

var. chrysophylla38 No ST DNR Lots of non‐native annuals and grasses along easement.

Collomia macrocalyx 9 Yes USADOD Bromus tectorumBromus tectorum abundant, but much reduced in the one

place where C. macrocalyx was found.

Corydalis aquae‐gelidae 20 Yes USAFS

Hypericum perforatum,

Leucanthemum vulgare, Cirsium

spp.

Cryptantha gracilis 11 No ST SPR Bromus tectorumBromus tectorum grows densely throughout the area of

the survey, likely to the exclusion of other species.

Cryptantha leucophaea 17 No USABLM Bromus tectorum

Cryptantha leucophaea 45 No ST DFW

Bromus tectorum, Sisymbrium

altissimum, Agropyron sp.,

Ulmus pumila, Draba verna

Except for abundant cheatgrass, habitat in good shape.

Cryptantha rostellata 16 Yes ST DNR Bromus tectorum, Poa bulbosa

Cryptantha scoparia 4 No ST SPR Bromus tectorum

Bromus tectorum is flourishing this season throughout the

area of the survey, possibly to the exclusion of other

species, at the very least, making it difficult to see

germinating plants.

Cryptantha spiculifera 28 Yes USABLM Bromus sp.



Species Name EO Num


Cryptantha spiculifera 35 Yes USABLM Bromus tectorum Bromus tectorum thick in areas of the lower slopes.

Cypripedium parviflorum 20 Yes USABLMSome unidentified thistle species nearby. Mullein and

other weeds in adjacent field.

Delphinium viridescens 36 No USAFSVerbascum thapsus, Cirsium

arvense

Although not in the talus slope or in the tiny aspen grove,

the amount of mullein and Canada thistle scattered

throughout the forest all the way up to the site was truly

astonishing. These seem to have, post fire, become

common components of the understory, even in the

unroaded areas.

Eatonella nivea 7 Yes USAFWSBromus tectorum, Erodium

circutarium

The Bromus tectorum at these two sites does not seem to

be invading the habitat of the rare plant.

Eatonella nivea 9 No USAFWSBromus tectorum, Salsola tragus,

Erodium circutarium

The area has been overrun with B. tectorum , which has

spread into and stabilized the sandy/gravelly habitat. As a

result, little of the preferred habitat remains. Also the

southeast facing slopes are now choked with dried out

Salsola koli (Russian thistle).

Epipactis gigantea None Yes USANPS Iris pseudacorus, Mysotis sp.Non‐native species introduced in a few areas by

landscaping on private property inholdings.

Eremothera pygmaea 14 No USADOD Bromus sp. Profusion of Bromus species.

Eremothera pygmaea 24 Yes USAFWS Bromus tectorum Common and widespread

Eremothera pygmaea 24 Yes USAFWSBromus tectorum, Sisymbrinum

sp., Salsola tragus

Eremothera pygmaea 3 No ST SPRBromus tectorum, Bromus

hordeaceus

Bromus tectorum found in area across the lake from

Intepretive Center. Bromus hordeaceus found throughout

site.

Erigeron disparipilus 6 Yes ST SPR

Bromus tectorum, Poa Bulbosa,

Tragopogon dubius, Lactuca

serriola

These species were present at weed infested sites

adjacent to better quality habitat with the rare plant.

Erigeron disparipilus New YesST DFW,

USAFS

Poa bulbosa, Convolvulus

arvensis, Tragopogon dubuis



Species Name EO Num


Erythranthe patula 10 Yes ST DFW

Sisymbrium altissimum, Dipsacus

fullonum, Tragopogon dubius,

Thlaspi arvense, Geranium

carolinianum (?), Cynoglossum

officinale, Bromus tectorum, Poa

bulbosa, small annual brome,

Cerastium glomeratum, Myosotis

stricta, Galium aparine, non‐

native Veronica, Lactuca serriola,

Erodium cicutarium, Onopordum

acanthium, Bromus japonicus

Numerous weedy species dominate much of the suitable

habitat.

Erythranthe suksdorfii 5 Yes ST SPR Bromus tectorumThe greatest concentration is on the shore across the lake

from the Interpretive Center.

Eurybia merita 7 Yes USAFS Lactuca muralis A few Lactuca muralis , not a big concern

Fritillaria camschatcensis 3 No USAFS Geranium robertianum

Githopsis specularioides New Yes ST DFWPoa bulbosa, Bromus tectorum,

small brome

Heterotheca oregona 9 Yes USAFSHypericum perforatum, Plantago

lanceolata, Lotus corniculatusInvasives were present in relatively small numbers.

Iliamna longisepala 9 No USABLMBromus tectorum, Clematis

vitalba, Sisymbrium altissimum

Lasthenia glaberrima 1 NoST SPR,

USAFSRubus sp., Bromus sp.

Leptosiphon bolanderi 10 Yes ST DFW Poa bulbosa, Bromus tectorum



Species Name EO Num


Lomatium laevigatum 13 Yes ST SPRBromus tectorum, Bromus

hordeaceus, Rubus bifrons

Invasives present but vertical surfaces seem to minimize

extent of ability to displace. Non‐natives and/or invasive

species threats include overgrown blackberry (Rubus

armeniacus ) displacing species in rocky habitats via

competition and shading.

Lomatium rollinsii 13 Yes ST DFW

Bromus tectorum, Onopordum

acanthium, Sisymbrium

altissimum, Tragopogon dubius,

Verbascum thapsus

The areas of shallow, rocky/sandy soil were dominated by

Bromus tectorum . Target plant not present in these

conditions. The Onopordum acanthium population is

small but needs to be controlled.

Lomatium rollinsii 16 Yes USAFSBromus tectorum, Hypericum

perforatum, Tragopogon dubius

Lomatium rollinsii 21 Yes ST DFWBromus tectorum, Centaurea

solstitialis

Lomatium rollinsii 21 Yes ST DFWTragopogon dubius, Conium

maculatum

A few nearby, but Conium maculatum thick in canyon

bottom

Lomatium rollinsii New Yes ST DFWBromus tectorum, Tragopogon

dubiusScattered

Lomatium serpentinum 4 No USACOE

Cynoglossum officinale, Bromus

tectorum, Tribulus terrestris,

Phalaris arundinacea, Conium

maculatum

Lycopodium dendroideum 3 No USAFS

Hypericum perforatum,

Tanacetum sp., Digitalis

purpurea, Verbascum thapsus,

Rubus laciniatus, Rubus bifrons


cespitosaNone Yes USABLM Bromus tectorum Thick in areas of the lower slopes



Species Name EO Num



marginata7 Yes ST DFW

Poa bulbosa, Bromus tectorum,

Onopordum acanthium,

Tragopogon dubius

Orobanche californica

spp. grayanaNone Yes

ST DNR,

USAFWS

Hieracium caespitosum,

Ventenata dubia, other small

annual grasses (not bromes or

poa), Aira sp.

Parnassia palustris var.

neogaea14 Yes USAFS Nonnative grasses

Pediocactus nigrispinus 30 Yes USABLM Bromus tectorum

Pediocactus nigrispinus 6 Yes ST DFW Bromus tectorum

Penstemon eriantherus

var. whitediiNone Yes USABLM Bromus tectorum

Perideridia oregana 3 Yes LOCCTY

Taeniatherum caput‐medusae,

Holcus lanatus, Prunella vulgaris,

Rumex acetosella, Cytisus

scoparius, Rubus bifrons

Many invasive annuals within the balds. Some Cytissus

scoparius and Rubus discolor along bald edges.

Polemonium pectinatum 43 Yes USABLM Bromus tectorum Rare

Ribes cereum var.

colubrinumNew Yes ST DFW

Conium maculatum , Poa

bulbosa, Bromus tectorum


irriguum15 Yes ST SPR

Taraxacum officinale, Verbascum

thapsus


irriguum24 No USAFS

Bromus inermis, Poa bulbosa,

Dianthus armeria, Dactylis

glomerata, Bromus tectorum,

Circium arvense

Rotala ramosior None No USAFWS Phalaris arundinaceae

Salix sessilifolia 1 Yes LOCCTYTanacetum vulgare, Cirsium

vulgare, Rubus bifronsSeasonal flooding probably keeps them in check.



Species Name EO Num


Silene douglasii var.

monantha15 Uncertain ST DNR Hypericum sp.

Silene spaldingii 61 Yes USAFWSBromus tectorum, Hypericum

perfoliatum

Silene spaldingii 62 No USAFWS Linaria dalmatica Linaria dalmatica present but not in abundance.

Spiranthes porrifolia 22 No LOCCTY

Amorpha fruticosa, Acer

saccharinum, Phalaris

arundinaceae

Amorpha fruticosa is beginning to dominate the slope.

Both Amorpha and Acer saccharinum had been cut back

but have resprouted.

Tauschia hooveri 18 Yes USABLM Draba verna , nonnative grasssesOne area is heavily impacted and covered with exotic

grasses.

Trifolium thompsonii 1 Yes USAFS

Poa bulbosa, Bromus tectorum,

Linaria dalmatica, Centaurea

diffusa

Trillium parviflorum 20 Yes USADOD Cytisus scoparius

Trillium parviflorum 41 Yes USADOD Cytisus scoparius


Table 3. Land use and management concerns documented for occurrences monitored by Rare Care in 2017 (continued).

Species Name EO Num

Species Found Owner Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments


USAFSPast grazing. Weeds. Many flowers stressed and so not producing seed.


USAFSElk and cows frequent the area. One plant appeared to be reduced in size by grazing.

Astragalus

columbianus25 Yes USABLM

Wilfire from the previous summer has caused the habitat to be devoid of shrubs. This might

cause the area to become much drier over time. The Yakima Training Range is adjacent, and

there is the possibility of wildfire spreading from the Range to this area.

Astragalus misellus

var. pauper30 Yes

ST DFW,

USABLMRecent fire through some areas, but ASMIP plants are persisting and appear vigorous.

Botrychium

ascendens6 No USAFS Alder and conifers are invading the area, creating heavy shade and competition.

Calochortus

macrocarpus var.

maculosus

11 Yes USAFSFire may have reduced the population. Logging operation has had some impact, but could not

determine severity.

Calochortus

macrocarpus var.

maculosus

24 Yes PVTUUU Both sites severely degraded ‐ grazing, erosion, invasive weeds. Plants showed signs of stress.

Campanula

lasiocarpa6 No USAFS Disturbance and land use threats due to heavy human foot traffic.

Cryptantha

spiculifera35 Yes USABLM

Degraded habitat with areas of cheatgrass invasion. There are cattle/horse trails through the

lower population. Observed a number of dead plants on the lower slope, probably from the

previous year. I assumed this resulted from the extremely dry two years prior, and possibly the

competition with cheat grass.

Cypripedium

parviflorum20 Yes USABLM Near road and open gravelly field; some litter found.

Delphinium

viridescens36 No USAFS

A large fire had moved through the Table Mountain area in 2012, so it is also possible that the

habitat had been altered enough that it affected the DEVI population, which was last seen in

1996. The forest surrounding the talus slope was heavily impacted by the fire, although the

understory vegetation, in the absence of green trees, was growing well.



Species Name EO Num


Epipactis gigantea None Yes USANPSSome isolate patches near the point are susceptible to erosion due to wave action and trampling

by humans accessing the shore.

Epipactis gigantea None Yes USANPSThe Spruce RR Trail runs above but fairly close to the lakeshore. Possible potential for

disturbance by hikers.

Eremothera

pygmaea3 No ST SPR Recommend signage at boat ramp to check boats for cheat grass seeds, etc.

Erigeron

disparipilus6 Yes ST SPR Plants along trail picked or trampled from public use.

Erythranthe patula 10 Yes ST DFW Numerous cattle trails across the slopes.

Githopsis

specularioidesNew Yes ST DFW Mountain bikers pedaling off roads through meadows may crush plants and spread weeds.

Heterotheca

oregona9 Yes USAFS

At the interface of the beach and the forest, there is evidence that may be the primary conduit

for invasive plant species. The native matrix of the forest buffer seemed relatively intact, though

we did notice signs of human presence on the ridge leading down to the river, including garbage

and a makeshift firing range (i.e. tin can lodged in branches of a shrub with a bullet hole through

it).

Leptosiphon

bolanderi10 Yes ST DFW Mountain bikes are beginning to use the area and travel off the roads.

Lobelia dortmanna None Yes USANPSIn some sections, plants and flowering stalks are covered with a brown slime (algae?), sometimes

nearly obscuring them from view. Noticeable lack of plants near newer docks.

Lobelia dortmanna None Yes USANPSNo obvious new impacts to populations but activities from numerous homes along water with

docks and small beaches could threaten some populations.

Lomatium

laevigatum13 Yes ST SPR

Minimal threats from recreation (rock climbing) and/or highway maintenance (herbicide

overspray). Blackberry may have limited or be limiting extent of population in creek

canyon/ravine. Areas north of SR bridge are densely overgrown with blackberry.

Lomatium rollinsii 21 Yes ST DFW Adjacent land use threats from aerial spraying upslope.



Species Name EO Num


Lomatium

serpentinum4 No USACOE

Dredging and channelization of upstream Mill Creek above Diversion Dam. Fluctuations of pool

elevation at lake for operation and testing purposes. The diversion canal and areas surrounding

lake planted by WDFW and Corps as wildlife areas with nonnatives. Forebay area left to develop

naturally but impacted by surrounding changes.

Oenothera

cespitosa ssp.

cespitosa

None Yes USABLMDegraded habitat with areas of cheat grass invasion. There are cattle/horse trails through the

lower population.

Orthocarpus

bracteosus9 Yes USAFS

Meadow appears to be drying out whether due to a natural progression, climate change or the

current extremely hot, dry summer Cow patties were found in south end of search area although

local Ranger District office reported grazing was not allowed. In 2012 there was a barbed wire

fence beteween the road and the prairie but that is now gone.

Parnassia palustris

var. neogaea14 Yes USAFS

The road was decommissioned on top of the population; now massive amounts of debris partially

block the creek.

Perideridia oregana 3 Yes LOCCTY Plants along trails are subject to trampling.

Platanthera

chorisiana13 Yes ST DNR

Human trampling and fire continue to be the biggest threats. Despite plenty of fire pits at

campsites, fire rings and burns at the log jam continue to be found. Once people get to the few

campsites there is little exploring they can do. The social fishing trail passes right through the

smaller patch of PLCH, and the meadow is adjacent to the most popular campsite. People explore

and play in the outlet pools (toilet paper & other trash) and meadow.

Potentilla

glaucophylla var.

perdissecta

3 No ST DNR Yes, all of the wet, damp areas in the area are heavily trampled by cattle.

Ribes cereum var.

colubrinumNew Yes ST DFW Nearby wheat farming & aerial spraying

Ribes

oxyacanthoides

ssp. irriguum

15 Yes ST SPR Unmaintained hiking trail nearby. Garbage found along creek near plants.



Species Name EO Num


Salix sessilifolia 1 Yes LOCCTY

There is foot traffic through the area, with some social trails through the willow stands, though

most plants are undisturbed. We found several homeless camps in the forested riparian area, not

currently an issue, but a large number of people might lead to brush clearing of the beach area

where the main portion of the rare plant population is.

Tauschia hooveri 18 Yes USABLMOne area is bisected by a trail heavily used on foot and by bicycle (and horses?). Possible off‐trail

hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

Trillium parviflorum 41 Yes USADODSome herbivory. Plants immediately west of road, adjacent to grassy field had been run over by a

large vehicle. Several plants were recovering and flowering, several were crushed.


Table 4. Addendum to the 2016 rare plant monitoring results.

Species Name EO Num1 State Status2 Visit Date Species

Found Pop. Size3 Site Name Managed Area Owner Contact Person

Corydalis aquae‐

gelidae 18 T 7/18/2016 Yes 561

Puny Creek

headwaters

Mt St Helens NVM,

Gifford Pinchot NF USAFS

Andrea

Montgomery

Notes:1. EO num is the element occurrence number assigned to the site by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

2. State Status: E = endangered, R1 = review species (group 1), R2 = reivew species (group 2), S = sensitive, T = threatened,

X = possibly extinct or extirpated from Washington.

3. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.


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