Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

Rare Plant Monitoring

2009 Annual Report

Summary

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation’s Rare Plant Monitoring Project provides critically-
needed information on the status of Washington State’s rare plant species. Trained volunteers
monitor known occurrences of rare plants and report on their status and the habitat where they
occur. Monitoring data collected under this project 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 2009, a total of 123 surveys of rare plant populations were
completed throughout the state of Washington. Eighteen of these sites represented potentially new
occurrences for the Washington Natural Heritage Program. Volunteers successfully relocated the
rare plant species at 63% of the sites monitored. Reports were also provided on 3 additional
monitoring attempts; however, the surveyors could not reach the sites due to access or time
constraints. A total of 85 volunteers participated in the project and 17 new volunteers were trained
in 2009.

Introduction

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) initiated the Rare Plant Monitoring
Project in 2009 to provide critically-needed information on rare plant populations in Washington
State. The project was developed in partnership with the Washington Natural Heritage Program
(WNHP), the agency responsible for tracking native biological diversity of the state. The focus of
this project is the approximately 370 species of native plants considered to be endangered,
threatened or sensitive to decline or extirpation by WNHP. These plants face an ever-increasing
level of threat to extirpation due to ongoing loss or degradation of habitat and an ever-expanding
flora of invasive species. However, there is insufficient funding and personnel to adequately
maintain and update population data on these species or to monitor known sites for potential
threats. Thus, the information provided by this project often represents the only current
information available for individual populations of rare plant species.

Under this project, volunteer rare plant monitors visit known occurrences of rare plants throughout
Washington State located primarily on public lands. During a site visit, volunteers collect
information on population size, habitat characteristics and threats posed by invasive species and
current land use practices. This information is provided to land managers on whose land the
population occurs and to WNHP. 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 purpose of this document is to report on the results of the 2009 monitoring season.

2009 Monitoring Priorities

Species and occurrences selected for monitoring in 2009 were based on a pre-determined set of
priorities developed in conjunction with WNHP. The highest priority was given to 1) monitoring

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Page 1

occurrences specifically requested by land managers of public agencies where rare plant
populations occur and 2) Rare Care’s focus species. Focus species were those that Rare Care
selected for comprehensive monitoring such that all of their occurrences on public lands were
monitored in a three to five year time frame.

High priority was also given to monitoring occurrences whose records in the WNHP database had
not been updated since 1990. Within this group, higher emphasis was placed on species
considered to be threatened or endangered under the WNHP ranking system. Finally, priority was
placed on occurrences that were not located by Rare Care volunteers in previous years. After three
attempts on an occurrence by at least two different surveyors, Rare Care considers the occurrence
to be extirpated and will no longer include it on the list of monitoring priorities in future years.

2009 Monitoring Results

During the 2009 field season, Rare Care volunteers completed 123 surveys of rare plant
occurrences throughout Washington State representing 78 species (Table 1). Attempts were made
to monitor an additional three occurrences; however, they could not be reached due to access or
time constraints. For these three sites, volunteers provided reports that include valuable access
information for future surveyors. At 63% of the monitored sites, volunteers found and documented
the rare plant occurrence. Twenty-one of the 77 rare plant populations found consisted of fewer
than 50 individuals. It is unknown whether these populations are stable or in decline. Surveyors
reported invasive species at 48% of the sites (Table 2) and reported potential land use and
management concerns at 43% of the sites (Table 3). Original data sheets were provided to WNHP
and copies were provided to land managers for occurrences monitored under their jurisdiction.

For the third consecutive year, Rare Care organized a rare plant monitoring weekend. Volunteers
and staff gathered for two days to assist WNHP with their three-year review of Wenatchee
Mountain endemic and rare plant species. In 2009, the monitoring weekend focused on areas in
and around Upper Naneum basin in Kittitas County. In addition to compiling plant lists and
locations of endemic taxa, three occurrences of rare plants were monitored: one each of Agoseris
elata, Sidalcea oregana var. calva, and Phacelia minutissima. The weekend surveys resulted in a
detection of five potentially new occurrences of rare plants:

• A population of 51 individuals of Potentilla drummondii ssp. breweri was discovered in

the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This is the first
known population of this species in Kittitas County, and the first report of this species to
WNHP from Washington State since the 1950s.
• Two new occurrences of Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia were also found in the Cle Elum
Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Both were large populations,
one containing at least 2,000 individuals and the second with over 3,000 individuals. Only
two other occurrences of this species are known from Washington State, both in Kittitas
County.
• Two new populations of Agoseris elata were discovered in two separate meadows in
Upper Naneum basin on Forest Service Land. One population contained 65 flowering
individuals, while only two were found at the second site; however, more plants were
reported in the vicinity. Both groups contained pink and yellow-flowered individuals.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Page 2

In addition to these five new populations, Rare Care volunteers documented an additional 13
potentially new locations in 2009 for rare plants in other parts of the state. These populations
occurred outside the recorded extent of existing element occurrences in the Washington Natural
Heritage Program database. They should be reviewed by WNHP to determine if in fact they
represent new occurrences. Five of the sites were documented at the Klickitat Wildlife Area and
included thousands of individuals each of Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus,
Lomatium suksdorfii, and Trichostema oblongum; a population of over 500 individuals of
Penstemon barrettiae; and a population of over 200 individuals of what appears to be a hybrid of
Ranunculus triternatus and R. glaberrimus. A specimen from this last population will be collected
in 2010 and sent to an expert for identification. Another population of Trichostema oblongum was
also found in Klickitat County, at Conboy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This second
population contained approximately 200 to 500 individuals. A small population Eryngium
petiolatum with less than 200 individuals was also discovered at Conboy NWR. Finally, one other
potentially new population of a rare plant species was reported from Klickitat County: a single
plant of Spiranthes porrifolia on private land.

Elsewhere in the state, volunteers documented five potentially new populations of sensitive plant
species. New populations of Erigeron howellii and Sullivantia oregana were found on bluffs and
steep slopes near Skamania, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Population sizes estimated for these two new occurrences were 313 and 140, respectively. A large
population of over 600 Carex comosa individuals was reported from a state park in King County.
Also in King County, three groups of Lycopodium dendroideum, containing a total of 30 stems,
were documented in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Finally, a population of
Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii containing 150 individuals was reported from a site near
Wenatchee, Washington.

Of the 127 populations assigned to volunteers for monitoring, 25 were not attempted this season
due to a variety of reasons. In most cases, the volunteer simply did not have time to complete the
survey. In other cases, trail obstructions, washed-out or decommissioned access roads, or
inadequate mapping information kept volunteers from completing their assignments.

Addendum to the 2008 Monitoring Results

Rare Care received five additional monitoring reports from volunteers after the 2008 Annual
Report was finalized (Table 4). The surveyors successfully relocated the rare plant species at the
three of the five sites. Therefore, the total number of occurrences reported on by volunteers in
2008 was 135.

Volunteer Recruitment and Management

Overall, 85 volunteers devoted 2,731.25 hours to rare plant monitoring during the 2009 field
season. This includes hours dedicated to training, preparation and planning, field work and report
writing. Finally Rare Care trained 17 new rare plant monitoring volunteers in 2009.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Page 3

 Table 1
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Species Population
EO found? Size
1
Species name Number (Y/N/U/X) Estimate2 Management Unit Owner
Agoseris elata 16 Y 299 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Agoseris elata New4 Y 2 stems Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Agoseris elata New4 Y 65 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Anemone patens var. multifida 7 N Methow RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Astragalus misellus var. pauper 28 Y 226 Montanum ACEC BLM
Boschniakia hookeri 2 X Kitsap Forest NAP WA DNR
Calochortus longebarbatus var. New4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW
longebarbatus
Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Steamboat Rock State Park WA SPR
Campanula lasiocarpa 2 Y 2204 stems Morning Star NRCA WA DNR
Campanula lasiocarpa 5 Y >51 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Carex comosa New4 Y >600 stems Flaming Geyser State Park WA SPR
Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua 9 N Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR
Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua 11 Y 5000 stems Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR
Carex praeceptorum 1 N Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR
Carex saxatilis var. major 11 Y 13 fruiting Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
stems
Carex scirpoidea ssp. scirpoidea None5 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Carex stylosa 5 Y 1000s Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
stems
Carex stylosa 6 Y 131 Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR
Carex stylosa 7 Y Cascade District, Northwest Region WA DNR
Carex sychnocephala None5 N Sinlahekin WA WDFW
Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. 4 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
chrysophylla
Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. 4 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
chrysophylla
Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. 36 Y 4 South Puget Sound Region WA DNR
chrysophylla
Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. 49 U City of Woodinville, Parks & Recreation City of
chrysophylla Woodinville
Cimicifuga elata var. elata 6 N Lewisville Park / Vancouver -Clark Regional Park City of
Vancouver
Cochlearia groenlandica 6 N Hoodsport Hatchery WDFW
Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Crab Creek WA WDFW

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 1
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Species Population
EO found? Size
1
Species name Number (Y/N/U/X) Estimate2 Management Unit Owner
Cryptantha leucophaea 30 Y 30 Columbia Basin WA WDFW
Cryptogramma stelleri 2 N Glacier Peak EWA, Chelan RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 11 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 194 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y 13 stems Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Cypripedium fasciculatum 11 Y 12 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Cypripedium parviflorum 8 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Cypripedium parviflorum 12 Y 3 stems Turnbull NWR USFWS
(1 clump)
Cypripedium parviflorum 15 Y 13 stems Turnbull NWR USFWS
Damasonium californicum 3 Y 5880-6510 Columbia River Gorge NSA Private
Damasonium californicum 4 N Columbia Hills State Park, Columbia River Gorge NSA WA SPR
Dryopteris cristata 7 U >12 Three Rivers RD, Colville NF USFS
Erigeron howellii New4 Y 313 Pacific Cascade Distrist, Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF, WA DNR
Columbia River Gorge NSA USFS
Erigeron piperianus 51 Y >125 Southeast Region WA DNR
Erigeron salishii 6 Y 500 Alpine Lakes EWA, Enchantments SI, Wenatchee River RD, USFS
Okanogan-Wenatchee NF
Erigeron salishii 9 Y 500 - 1000 Glacier Peak EWA, Entiat RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Eryngium petiolatum New4 Y < 200 Conboy Lake NWR USFWS
Euonymus occidentalis var. 1 Y 40 Winston Creek Campground WA DNR
occidentalis
Euonymus occidentalis var. 3 N Lewisville Regional Park Lewis
occidentalis County
Eurybia merita 5 Y 1000 Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFS
Fritillaria camschatcensis 12 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFS
Fritillaria camschatcensis 15 X Alpine Lakes EWA, Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker Snoqualmie NF USFS

Gaultheria hispidula 9 N Morning Star NRCA, Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF WA DNR

USFS
Howellia aquatilis 17 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 19 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 20 Y Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 21 Y 2 Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 26 Y 51 Turnbull NWR USFWS

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 1
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Species Population
EO found? Size
1
Species name Number (Y/N/U/X) Estimate2 Management Unit Owner
Howellia aquatilis 30 Y 39 Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 35 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 38 Y abundant Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 56 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 58 Y >1000 Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 59 Y 25-Oct Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 60 Y 1 Turnbull NWR USFWS
Howellia aquatilis 62 Y 200 Turnbull NWR USFWS
Iliamna longisepala 101 N Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Isoetes nuttallii 12 Y 103 Columbia Hills State Park, Columbia River Gorge NSA WA SPR
Lathyrus vestitus ssp. bolanderi 4 Y 60 Lewis and Clark State Park WA SPR
Lobelia dortmanna 24 Y 4180 stems Moran State Park WA SPR
Lomatium sandbergii 1 N Sullivan Lake RD, Colville and Idaho Panhandle NF USFS
Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y 10,000+ Klickitat WA WDFW
Lomatium suksdorfii New4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW
Lomatium tuberosum 9 Y 1130 BLM
Lomatium tuberosum 11 X BLM
Lycopodiella inundata 5 N Skating Lake State Park WA SPR
Lycopodium dendroideum 3 Y 670 stems Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Lycopodium dendroideum 10 N Mt Baker RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Lycopodium dendroideum 12 Y 90 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Lycopodium dendroideum New4 Y 30 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Meconella oregana 9 N San Juan County Land Bank Private
Microseris bigelovii 2 N Friday Harbor Laboratories UW
Microseris borealis 9 Y >100 Cowlitz Valley RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
Microseris borealis 11 Y 127 Cowlitz Valley RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
Myosurus clavicaulis 1 N Columbia Hills State Park WA SPR
Ophioglossum pusillum 8 N Killebrew Lake NAP WDFW
Orobanche californica ssp. grayana None6 N Conboy Lake NWR USFWS
Parnassia kotzebuei 2 N Tonasket RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y 7150 Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Pedicularis rainierensis 51 Y 2600 Snoqualmie RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Pellaea breweri 5 N Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, Chelan RD, Okanogan- USFS
Wenatchee NF
Pellaea breweri 6 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 1
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Species Population
EO found? Size
1
Species name Number (Y/N/U/X) Estimate2 Management Unit Owner
Pellaea breweri 7 Y 3 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Penstemon barrettiae New4 Y >565 Klickitat WA WDFW
Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii 5 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii New4 Y 150 Swakane Unit, Colockum WA WDFW
Petrophyton cinerascens 4 Y 1390 Colockum WA, Earthquake Point ACEC, Entiat RD, Okanogan- WDFW
Wenatchee NF USFS BLM

Phacelia lenta 8 N BLM

Phacelia minutissima 1 N Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Platanthera chorisiana 3 Y 42 Skykomish RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF USFS
Platanthera chorisiana 4 N Henry M Jackson EWA, Darrington RD, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie USFS
NF
Platanthera sparsiflora 4 N Naches RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Polemonium viscosum 5 Y 9 stems Methow Valley RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Potentilla drummondii ssp. breweri New4 Y 51 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Potentilla nivea 1 Y 170 Chopaka Mountain NAP WA DNR
Potentilla rubricaulis 1 Y 914 Chopaka Mountain NAP WA DNR
Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia 2 Y 5000 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia New4 Y 3000 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Pyrrocoma hirta var. sonchifolia New4 Y >1800 Cle Elum RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y 52 stems Southeast Region WA DNR
Ranunculus cooleyae 4 Y 88 Morning Star NRCA WA DNR
Ranunculus triternatus / R. New4 U >200 Klickitat WA WDFW
glaberrimus 3
Sanguisorba menziesii 5 U >500 Carlisle Bog NAP WA DNR
Sanicula marilandica 45 Y 250 Sinlahekin WA WDFW
Saxifraga cernua 3 N Tonasket RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Saxifraga rivularis 13 Y 245 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Sidalcea oregana var. calva 11 N Colockum WA WDFW
Silene seelyi 3 Y 163 Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Silene seelyi 22 Y <10 clumps Wenatchee River RD, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF USFS
Silene spaldingii 61 Y 50 stems Turnbull NWR USFWS
Silene spaldingii 62 N Turnbull NWR USFWS
Sisyrinchium sarmentosum 18 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
Spiranthes porrifolia New4 Y 1 Columbia River Gorge NSA Private

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 1
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Species Population
EO found? Size
1
Species name Number (Y/N/U/X) Estimate2 Management Unit Owner
Spiranthes porrifolia 1 Y 1500 Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF USFS
Sullivantia oregana New4 Y 140 Pacific Cascade Distrist, Mt Adams RD, Gifford Pinchot NF, WA DNR
Columbia River Gorge NSA USFS
Trichostema oblongum New4 Y 200 - 500 Conboy Lake NWR USFWS
Trichostema oblongum New4 Y 1000s Klickitat WA WDFW
Trifolium thompsonii 26 Y 4,800-8,400 BLM
Trillium parviflorum 1 Y 60 stems Bald Hill NAP WA DNR

Number of occurrences monitored: 126

Number found: 77
Number not found: 42
Number of uncertain: 4
Number of occurrences not reached: 3

Notes:
1. Y = yes, N = no, U = identity uncertain, X = not monitored (site not reached)
2. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.
3. Identity of this Ranunculus is in question and may be a hybrid of the two species.
4. Potentially new site that may not be in WNHP database.
5. Site identified by land owner and may not be in WNHP database.
6. Land manager requested Rare Care to look for this species in this area.

Abbreviations:
ACEC - Area of Critical Environmental Concern SI - Special Interest
BLM - Bureau of Land Management USFS - United States Forest Service
EWA - Established Wilderness Area USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
NAP - Natural Area Preserve UW - University of Washington
NF - National Forest WDFW - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
NRCA - Natural Resources Conservation Area WA -Washington, Wildlife Area
NSA - National Scenic Area WA DNR - Washington Department of Natural Resources
NWR - National Wildlife Refuge WA SPR - Washington State Parks
RD - Ranger District

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 2
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Seasons Results
Invasive Species Threats
Species
found
Species name EO Num (Y/N) Invasive Species Present Comments on Invasive Species
Agoseris elata 16 Y Taraxacum officinale Interspersed in meadow - not crowding out
native species
Agoseris elata New Y Introduced grasses
Astragalus misellus var. 28 Y Bromus tectorum, Sisymbrium
pauper altissiana
Boschniakia hookeri 2 X Cytisus scoparius, Rubus
armeniacus
Calochortus New Y Ventenata dubia Weedy grasses are present, with what
longebarbatus var. appears to be V. dubia covering the
longebarbatus landscape around CALOL.
Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Bromus tectorum This species has taken over all soil areas,
under few shrubs (basically Philadelphus
sp.) and on the ribs.
Carex comosa New Y Solanum dulcamara, Phalaris
arundenacea
Carex sychnocephala New N Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Yes. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum in
shallow water, not dominant
Chrysolepis chrysophylla 49 U Rubus armeniacus, Ilex Also, other weeds common to disturbed soil.
aquifolium, Hedera helix Also, escaped or discarded landscape
plants: chestnut (many plants in various
tages), holly, and bamboo.
Cimicifuga elata var. 6 N Rubus armeniacus
elata
Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Elaeagnus angustifolia, More non-natives than natives are present.
Salsola tragus Elaeagnus augustifolia becoming dense,
Salsola tragus collecting on lee of dunes.
Moist banks of Crab Creek largely non-
native vegetation.
Cryptantha leucophaea 30 Y Bromus tectorum, Elaeagnus
angustifolia, Comandra
umbellatum
Cypripedium parviflorum 8 N Phalaris arundinacea PHAR is common at the edge of the pond
and along the inlet and outlet streams and is
present, though not dominant, in the upland
areas near the pond.
Cypripedium parviflorum 12 Y Phalaris arundinacea PHAR is very dense all along muddy
shoreline and intruding to a greater or lesser
degree into the transition zone between
wetland & upland.
Cypripedium parviflorum 15 Y Phalaris arundinacea Phalaris is abundant and dominant along
the muddy shoreline, but upslope it is mixed
with other species and does not appear to
be dominating them at the present time.

Damasonium 3 Y Phalaris arundinacea, Reed canary grass is apparently crowding

californicum Polygonum coccineum, DACA12 to one narrow side of the pond.
Polygonum aviculare
Damasonium 4 N Rushes, duck weed, Veronica, The pond appears fairly eutrophic and is
californicum Mentha arvensis, Rubus slowly filling in (due to growth of rushes and
armeniacus, Bromus tectorum decay from leaves and plants) from the west
and northern edges.
Dryopteris cristata 7 U Hypericum perfoliatum There is lots of Hypericum perfoliatum on
the open mound to the north, but I don't
think it will move into the damp, shady
woods.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 2
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Seasons Results
Invasive Species Threats
Species
found
Species name EO Num (Y/N) Invasive Species Present Comments on Invasive Species
Erigeron piperianus 51 Y Bromus tectorum Cheat grass was dominant on previously
recorded site (2 plants found) but much less
dense in area of current population.
Eryngium petiolatum New Y Ventenata dubia, Phalaris Yes, voodoo grass (V. dubia ), reed canary
arundinacea grass. Voodoo grass is abundant in the
shallow channels where ERPE7 is located.
There are a few patches of reed canary
grass at the west end of the channels.

Euonymus occidentalis 1 Y Rubus laciniatus, Ranunculus

var. occidentalis repens
Euonymus occidentalis 3 N Rubus armeniacus Various grass and lawn weeds in drainfield
var. occidentalis and around edges of forest: along roads and
parking.
Howellia aquatilis 17 N Phalaris arundinacea Dense PHAR (or Scirpus arcutus ) cover
over most of the wetland.
Howellia aquatilis 21 Y Phalaris arundinacea 30% coverage
Howellia aquatilis 26 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10-40% coverage
Howellia aquatilis 30 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10-30% coverage
Howellia aquatilis 38 Y Phalaris arundinacea
Howellia aquatilis 56 N Phalaris arundinacea PHAR dominated meadow
Howellia aquatilis 58 Y Phalaris arundinacea 50+ % coverage
Howellia aquatilis 59 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10% coverage (limited in extent, mostly
along edge)
Howellia aquatilis 60 Y Phalaris arundinacea 25% coverage
Howellia aquatilis 62 Y Phalaris arundinacea 10-20% coverage
Isoetes nuttallii 12 Y Polypogon monspeliensis Unidentified grasses are crowding the edges
of the pools as they evaporate.
Lathyrus vestitus ssp. 4 Y Anthoxantum odoratum
bolanderi
Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y Poa bulbosa, Bromus Weedy annual grasses are present on most
tectorum, Bromus hordeaceus of these slopes but most abundant on the
flatter benches which were farmed or grazed
-presumably planted (historically) as forage
for livestock and/or upland game birds. Not
sure of grass spp.
Lomatium suksdorfii New Y Poa bulbosa, Bromus In general, the site shows good native range
tectorum, Bromus hordeaceus qualities, especially on the wildlife area.
Some weedy species are present but they
do not dominate.
Lomatium tuberosum 9 Y Bromus tectorum, Holosteum
umbellatum
Meconella oregana 9 N Holcus lanatus
Microseris bigelovii 2 N Hydrica radicata
Myosurus clavicaulis 1 N Polypogon monspeliensis Unidentified grasses are crowding the edges
of the pools as they evaporate.
Penstemon barrettiae New Y Bromus tectorum, Poa bulbosa Some weedy grasses, primarily around
plants on talus or rocky slopes below the
cliffs. Generally these areas are fairly
natural.
Penstemon eriantherus 5 N Bromus tectorum Sparsely present
var. whitedii
Penstemon eriantherus New Y Linaria dalmatica, Poa bulbosa These are not dominant at site, but present
var. whitedii in small amounts, patchy through area,
especially near the road.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 2
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Seasons Results
Invasive Species Threats
Species
found
Species name EO Num (Y/N) Invasive Species Present Comments on Invasive Species
Petrophyton cinerascens 4 Y Linaria dalmatica, Bromus
tectorum, Centaurea diffusa
Platanthera sparsiflora 4 N Ranunculus repens
Pyrrocoma hirta var. New Y Cirsium arvense Beside the population, not in it.
sonchifolia
Pyrrocoma hirta var. New Y Cirsium arvense Possible weedy grasses at all, Cirsium
sonchifolia arvense at site #1
Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y Dipsacus sylvestris Found especially near the road, scattered
elsewhere - other invasives not noted in
immediate proximity to PYLI, but an earlier
visit, when forbs/graminoids are more
identifiable, would probably reveal more
invasives.
Ranunculus triternatus / New U Hypochaeris radicata, Poa Generally the area searched is in very good
R. glaberrimus bulbosa condition.
Sanguisorba menziesii 5 U Few invasives are found in the wetland
complex.
Sanicula marilandica 45 Y Kochia scopairia, Cirsium sp., In general area, not immediately with
Verbascum thapsus population.
Sidalcea oregana var. 11 N Timothy, Dactylis glomerata
calva
Silene seelyi 22 Y Bromus tectorum
Silene spaldingii 61 Y Hypericum perforatum, Linaria A few plants of H. perforatum and L.
dalmatica, Bromus tectorum dalmatica .

Silene spaldingii 62 N Hypericum performatum, Hypericum performatum and Linaria

Chondrilla juncea, Bromus dalmatica abundant; Chondrilla juncea and
tectorum, Linaria dalmatica Bromus tectorum moderately abundant.

Sisyrinchium 18 N Leucanthemum vulgare

sarmentosum
Spiranthes porrifolia New Y Phalaris arundinacea, Bromus
tectorum, Chondrilla juncea,
Bromus diandrus
Spiranthes porrifolia 1 Y Bromus tectorum, Hypericum
perforatum, Taeniatherum
caput-medusae, Cynosurus
cristatus , other weedy grasses

Trichostema oblongum New Y Euphorbia sp., Cichorium There are a fair amount of weedy species
intybus, Potentilla recta, along the edge of the road here.
Centaurea sp., etc.
Trichostema oblongum New Y Ventenata dubia Yes, voodoo grass (V. dubia ). Weedy
grasses are present, with what appears to
be voodoo grass covering the landscape
around TROB.
Trifolium thompsonii 26 Y Bromus tectorum

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 3
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Land Use and Management Concerns
Species
found?
Species name EO # (Y/N) Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments
Agoseris elata 16 Y Trampling by elk. Motorbike usage in the area is heavy - a few crossed the
meadow.
Agoseris elata 4 Y Heavy use by elk - migration, some bedding areas. Trail for hikers, horses
New
& motor bikes crosses stream at upper ed of meadow.
Anemone patens var. 7 N Better management of campers is needed to prevent degradation of
multifida meadow areas. There are rocky, flat camping areas above the lake but we
saw a group of three camped directly next to the lake on A. occidentalis.
There had been significant rock & landslides (and avalanches) in and
around basin.
Calochortus New4 Y The area is not currently grazed, but would suffer if this occurred. ATVs
longebarbatus var. and trail bikes could potentially damage the area, although the area is
longebarbatus signed to prevent such action. Any acitivities that deepen the stream
channel would prevent flooding of the surrounding flood plain, leaving
these species high and dry. In addition, local folks camp at the Canyon
Creek trailhead at a time when TROB and CALOL are both in flower.

Camissonia pygmaea
Carex comosa
Carex magellanica ssp.
irrigua
Carex praeceptorum
11 N Run off, though seldom, diminishes soil ribs. I noted deep foot prints along
edge of ribs on both sides.
New4 Y Water level maintained by beaver dam - height controlled by park
personnel.
11 Y Very little evidence of human use, some beverage containers on shore,
but old and very few. Adjacent land use will impact the quality of these
bogs. It is fortunate that the bogs are separated from the road system by
topographic ridges. ORV trail to the south appears to get used, but not a
lot of use of the bogs.
1 N Yes, There is some trampling in the bog area at the north end of the lake,
but it is limited to the lakeshore areas of the bog, probably from fisherman.
We searched less trammeled areas as well and did not find the plant.

Carex saxatilis var. major
Carex stylosa
Carex stylosa
Carex stylosa
Chrysolepis chrysophylla
Cimicifuga elata var. elata
11 Y I only found a few CASA, but they are at a seldom-visited part of this
heavily used lake. Trampling from the occasional fisherman may impact
plants. There is a lovely and unofficial campsite in the forest near the
CASA opening that does get some use (recently used fire ring and
garbage found).
5 Y Disturbance: some elk trampling & herbivore grazing. Some elk tracks,
scat, and shed anthler pieces were nearby. Some evidence of grazing was
seen. Land use threats: digging up pipeline, road repairs.
6 Y No evidence of human use. Adjacent land use may impact the quality of
these bogs. Private lands to the east and south were cut before the
original sighting. I could not tell if the changes in the hydrology or water
quality because of this has impacted the population as I did not search the
private lands. The northernmost population (10733) is hydrologically lower
than the private land and may be most vulnerable to adjacent logging
practices.
7 Y Very little evidence of human use, some beverage containers on shores,
but old and very few. Adjacent land use will impact the quality of these
bogs. It is fortunate that the bogs are separated from the road system by
topographic ridges. ORV trail to the south appears to get used, but not a
lot of use of the bogs.
36 Y Population very close to roadway.
6 N There is a maintenance-access road through the area.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 3
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Land Use and Management Concerns
Species
found?
Species name EO # (Y/N) Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments
Cryptantha leucophaea 22 N Area is seriously degraded due to heavy ATV use and extensive increase
of alien species.
Cypripedium fasciculatum 6 Y This area is bordered on two sides by a subdivision of vacation homes
with an abundance of small vehicles. A number of old roads run through
the area and garbage has been dumped in piles, then partially buried, in
the past. Neither activity seems to be current. Also, young Douglas firs are
growing among the Ponderosa which will eventually alter habitat for
CYFA. Marked herbivory of Cypripedium montanum was noted in the
area. Most flowering heads had been bitten off (see photos). A few
scattered flowering plants remained, and one clump preotected by a rose
shrub had several flowers. It seems plausible that the decline in shape IDs
of C. fasciculatum found (50% only) and the reduction in stem number of
those located may be due to herbivory.

Cypripedium fasciculatum 11
Damasonium californicum 3 Y
Y Dead fir trees throughout the area up to the old location, Pine beetles?
Spruce bud worms? Fir tree management needed for diseased trees. The
old population may be lost due to mycorrhizal disruption. The new
population has two plants right on the edge of trail. Maybe advise no trail
widening in that area.
Fence is down on the west side so cattle and horses have access to this
pond, where the horses have been observed in the pond, and where much
fecal material accumulates. Cows graze the perimeter where yound
DACA12 grow. No direct evidence of herbivory of the older plants. Fences
need to be fixed and checked on a regular basis to prevent infiltration by
neighboring cattle and horses. A bigger concern is controlling the
proliferation of reed canary grass which is over running the majority of the
pond (very little DACA12 observed amongth the canary grass).

Erigeron howellii New4 Y This area is increasingly being explored and hiked by local people.
Erigeron piperianus 51 Y Cow pies were everywhere - very heavily grazed but no damage to ERPI3
was observed.
Eryngium petiolatum New4 Y Some cattle grazing occurs to the north of the central canal. Some cow
pies (previous years) can be found in the area, but these may be strays.
There is a large herd of elk which frequents the area over the winter into
early summer which could trample plants.
Euonymus occidentalis 1 Y Campground spaces and trails should be adjusted to protect this species.
var. occidentalis
Euonymus occidentalis 3 N Yes, a restroom & related drainfield of unknown date exists within the
var. occidentalis "wooded area south of baseball field."
Iliamna longisepala 101 N Regrowth of planted Douglas fir forest/plantation for the past 13 years has
altered habitat.
Lathyrus vestitus ssp. 4 Y Population is right along a foot trail
bolanderi
Lobelia dortmanna 24 Y Reservoir draw down, recreation may impact population.
Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y We don't know how LOSU4 would be impacted by grazing nor whether
alfalfa fields present at this site are currently harvested by the WDFW or
private parties. Some of the impacted lands could be replanted with
LOSU4 and other dominant plants. Nearby corral - evidence of grazing
above area on plateau. Some trampling by deer. The site is used for
hunting (spring turkey hunts) and target practice.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 3
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Land Use and Management Concerns
Species
found?
Species name EO # (Y/N) Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments
Lomatium suksdorfii 4 Y Some of the population is on a private parcel showing minor evidence of
New
grazing and perhaps prior agricultural practices. As mentioned above,
there may be a threat due to grazing. This is a fairly high quality grassland
and oak forest with several other rare plants present.
Lycopodium dendroideum 10 N Survey area was a working quarry which may have expanded or changed
since previous survey in 1992.
Lycopodium dendroideum 4 Y Site 1 is vulnerable to foot traffic, be it human or otherwise.
New

Orobanche californica None6
ssp. grayana
Pedicularis rainierensis
Pedicularis rainierensis
N Yes. The area has been drained & grazed but most species persist in
suitable habitat.
49 Y Disturbance: possible disturbance from ridge-top road erosion of
talus/scree and sand. Also, some recreation-related items were found
scattered (cans, ski pole, scarf, etc). Expansion of resort could threaten
population, especially any new disturbance along ridges.
49 Y Disturbance from removal of ridgetop to construct new lift landing. Ridge
was cut vertical on southern side and is likely unstable. Also, some
construction debris remains as well as installation of plastic poles to mark
ski hazards or ski boundaries. Impacts to population are unknown.

Penstemon eriantherus 5 N Logging is occurring in the araea and prescribed burns are planned.
var. whitedii
Penstemon eriantherus New4 Y The northern sites are right along the road; the disturbed soil is likely from
var. whitedii road grading.
Phacelia minutissima 1 N Elk grazing in the vicinity.
Potentilla drummondii ssp. New4 Y Site #2 showed signs of numerous elk tracks disturbing site. Site #1 is on
breweri side of road where vehicles may impact plants.
Pyrrocoma hirta var. 2 Y Some impacts by elk.
sonchifolia
Pyrrocoma hirta var. New4 Y Possibility of ORV damage - none seen. Some elk trampling in moist
sonchifolia areas.
Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y The level & gently sloping areas at & above the rim of the canyon are
agricultural. Grazing also occurs in the vicinity.
Ranunculus triternatus / New4 U In talking with people familiar with the Klickitat Wildlife Area, there is
R. glaberrimus 3 evidently a proposal to graze the area.
Sanicula marilandica 45 Y Cattle grazing in the area; but, population seems to be protected between
two barbed wire fences
Saxifraga cernua 3 N 2006 fire and downed areas.
Saxifraga rivularis 13 Y Old trail ran right through this population and may still be used when snow
is covering the newer trail.
Silene seelyi 3 Y Hydrology of snow melt streams and resultant trail rehab may have
affected sites nearer to the creek.
Silene seelyi 22 Y Evidence of 2007 fire nearby but not on rock outcrops
Silene spaldingii 61 Y Evidence of forest fire (burned tree trunks).
Sisyrinchium 18 N Trampling and grazing of elk.
sarmentosum
Spiranthes porrifolia 4 Y Fences are down along several margins. Evidence of horses and cattle,
New
with horses seen eating vegetation in the pond. Evidence of a large
quantity of horse feces in the pond. Numerous hoof marks digging up the
margin of the pond.
Spiranthes porrifolia 1 Y A state rock pit is immediately south of one subpopulation near SR 14.
Mountain bikers are increasingly using the open slopes here as a slalom
course.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 3
Rare Plant Monitoring 2009 Field Season Results
Land Use and Management Concerns
Species
found?
Species name EO # (Y/N) Adjacent Land Use and Management Comments
Sullivantia oregana 4 Y This area is increasingly being explored and hiked by local people.
New
Trichostema oblongum 4 Y The road gets light use each day. The plant is on the edge of the road so
New
probably is affected by grading of the road in spring. There may be some
cattle drives along the road, but these don't look like they affect this small
annual. Tracks off to the side of the road indicated that someone had
driven off the road along the private fence, probably to fix the fence. This
is a site where there are numberous CALOL, ERPE7 and ORBR within
feet of road.
Trichostema oblongum 4 Y The area is not currently grazed, but would suffer if this occurred. ATVs
New
and trail bikes could potentially damage the area, although the area is
signed to prevent such action. Any acitivities that deepen the stream
channel would prevent flooding of the surrounding flood plain, leaving
these species high and dry. In addition, local folks camp at the Canyon
Creek trailhead at a time when TROB and CALOL are both in flower.

Trillium parviflorum 1 Y Surrounded by privately-owned forest land that motorized vehicles/bikes

use. Climbers too.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

 Table 4
Rare Plant Monitoring 2008 Field Results1
Species Population
found Size Land Use and Managment
2
Species name EO # (Y/N) Estimate3 Management Unit Owner Invasive species Comments Concerns Comments
Chrysolepis chrysophylla 23 N Mt Adams RD, Gifford USFS
Pinchot NF
Microseris borealis 4 Y 15,000 Cowlitz RD, Gifford Pinchot USFS Canada thistle observed as we
NF were exiting meadow, not too far
from road, and not close to M.
borealis populations.
Penstemon eriantherus 12 N Entiat RD, Okanogan- USFS Toadflax, cheatgrass Recreational use, evidence of and
var. whitedii Wenatchee NF witnessing of target shooting along
the road in this location, directed
across the canyon floor.
Petrophyton cinerascens 6 Y 7,000-8,000 Entiat Unit, Colockum WA WDFW Bromus tectorum

Trifolium thompsonii 1 Y 17,000 Entiat RD, Okanogan- USFS Bromus tectorum and Poa bulbosa
Wenatchee NF found in lower population which
were especially disturbed; Linaria
dalmatica uncommon but found at
a couple of sites.
Notes:
1. These reports were submitted by volunteers after the 2008 Annual Report was completed.
2. Y = yes, N = no, U = identity uncertain, X = not monitored (site not reached)
3. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation