Field Investigations of Selected Sensitive Plant Species on the Nez Perce National Forest: Carex californica (California sedge), Ivesia tweedyi (Tweedy's ivesia), Synthyris platycarpa (Evergreen kittentail), Dasynotus daubenmirei (Daubenmire's dasynotus), Astragalus paysonii (Payson's milk-vetch)

摘要

Field investigations were conducted for five plant species of historical occurrence along Coolwater Ridge and in the Fog Mountain area on the Nez Perce National Forest. These five species included Carex californica, Ivesia tweedyi, Synthyris platycarpa, Dasynotus daubenmirei, and Astragalus paysonii. All but Ivesia tweedyi are U.S. Forest Service Region 1 Sensitive Species. The results were as follows: Two populations of Carex californica were located. One of these, comprised of only two small patches lies east of the fire lookout tower on Coolwater Mountain. The second population, which lies on Fog Mountain is far more extensive and the plants are locally abundant. Other areas of potential habitat in the vicinity were identified for future inventory. It is recommended that the species be retained on the Sensitive Plant list until further data on its range and abundance are available. Five populations of Ivesia tweedyi were encountered by botanists working on the Nez Perce National Forest during the 1989 field season. Three of these lie in the vicinity of Big Fog Mountain. The other two lie to the south near Elk Mountain. One population in the latter area had between 1500-2000 plants. The largest population in the Big Fog Mountain area was comprised of several hundred plants. All other populations had less than 100 individuals. No immediate threats were identified to any of the populations. It is recommended that the species be not be included on the Sensitive Plant list unless further data on its range and abundance suggest that such listing is appropriate.