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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

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Ed Guerrant

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Lomatium bradshawii

Family:	Apiaceae
Common Names:	Bradshaw's desert-parsley, Bradshaw's lomatium, Bradshaw's parsley
Author:	(Rose ex Mathias) Mathias & Constance
Growth Habit:	Perennial
CPC Number:	2658

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Photographer: Ed Guerrant

Lomatium bradshawii is Fully Sponsored

Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is:

The Berry Botanic Garden

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D. contributed to this Plant Profile.

Lomatium bradshawii

Lomatium bradshawii was once common, inhabiting the extensive native prairies of the Willamette Valley, creating carpets of sulfur-yellow in the spring. Like many other prairie species, Bradshaw's lomatium has been adversely affected by the extensive conversion of its habitat to agricultural and other uses by humans. Today, less than 1% of the Willamette Valley remains undisturbed. Lomatium bradshawii was believed to be extinct until a graduate student at the University of Oregon re-discovered it while jogging. Since its rediscovery in 1979, extensive research has been done to understand the ecology of this species. A majority of the remaining populations in Oregon are within a 10-mile (16 km) radius of the city of Eugene. Continued growth of the city threatens the future of these sites. In Washington, two recently discovered sites contain as many plants as are found in all of Oregon. However, both sites are on private land and are not subject to legal protection.

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

Oregon
Washington

Habitat

Moist meadows and remnant prairie patches at low elevations. Associated species include Deschampsia cespitosa, Hordeum brachyantherum, Poa pratensis, Perideridia spp., Juncus spp., Grindelia integrifolia, Microseris laciniata, and Galium cymosum.

Distribution

OR, WA
OR: Central and Southern Willamette Valley (Benton, Lane, Linn, and Marion Counties)
WA: Puget Trough, Southwestern Washington, Clark County

Number Left

As of 1992: 38 element occurrences (Oregon Natural Heritage Database) in three population centers. Populations are generally small, from fewer than 10 to about 1000 individuals. One large site contains 30,000 individuals.

In Washington, two populations were discovered in 1994. Both are on private land. One site has "several thousand" and another has approximately 70,400 individuals (WA Natural Heritage Database).

Protection

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Global Rank:	G2	7/9/2007	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:	LE	9/30/1988	Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	Yes	8/13/1993

State/Area Protection

State/Area	Rank	Status	Date

Conservation, Ecology & Research

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Ecological Relationships

Lomatium bradshawii does not reproduce vegetatively (Kaye, 1992) or maintain a persistent soil seed bank (most seeds germinate the year after they fall, leaving few for remaining years). Because of this, a loss of pollinators could have an immediate effect on population numbers (Kaye and Kirkland, 1994).

Flowers may be either male (stamens only) or hermaphroditic (male/female-stamens and pistil). On hermaphroditic flowers, the stigmas become receptive to pollen before the anthers shed their pollen. The first umbel on a plant will often have a majority of male flowers. By having the male and female parts of each plant temporally isolated (difference in timing of flowering), the potential for self-pollination is reduced (Kaye, 1992).

A wide variety of bees, flies, wasps and beetles visit the flowers of Lomatium bradshawii and are likely pollinators (Kaye, 1992).

Cattle have been shown to have both negative and positive effects on Lomatium bradshawii. Cattle eat and trample the plants and disturb the soil. Fencing has been used to effectively exclude cattle. Despite these negative impacts, carefully controlled and monitored grazing may help in maintaining the habitat of L. bradshawii, by preventing woody plant encroachment. Before European-American settlement, both natural grass fires and fires set by Native Americans served to restrict the growth of woody vegetation and keep the grasslands open. Now, cattle may provide a similar service if used carefully.

Threats

� Land development for agriculture and housing (Meinke 1982).
� Pesticides that kill the pollinators necessary for this plant to reproduce (Kaye and Kirkland, 1994).
� Non-native plant invasion (Drew 2000).
� Invasion of shrubs due to fire suppression (Kaye 1993). Fraxinus latifolia and Rosa pisocarpa are especially problematic in Washington (US Fish and Wildlife Service).
� Plant collecting (Meinke, 1982).
� Cattle grazing.

Current Research Summary

� Population monitoring to determine effects of encroaching shrubs (Kaye, 1992).
� Field experiments and observations to determine breeding system and pollinators. Pollinator exclusion experiments determined that although the species is self compatible, insect pollinators are required for seed production due to temporal separation of the male and female flower parts (Kaye and Kirkland, 1994).
� Genetic analysis of Lomatium bradshawii using AFLP markers found high levels of genetic diversity. Because of large population sizes and high genetic diversity within most populations, inbreeding depression is not considered a threat to this species. Exceptions do exist. One Oregon population has fewer than 100 individuals and lower genetic diversity than nearby populations. One Washington population has low levels of genetic diversity despite its large size. If population sizes are maintained at or near current levels, the long-term genetic stability of the species appears good (Gitzendanner, 1998).
� Evaluation of the effect of prescribed burning of Lomatium. bradshawii habitat. Over a period of 9 years, plots were burned 2-3 times in the fall. Crown area, plant height, number of flowers and number of fruit was determined. The initial response was positive in many plots, but overall, the results were inconsistent (Pendergrass et al, 1999).
� Comparison of direct seeding and transplanting as methods of establishing plants for reintroduction- direct seeding was an effective method of establishing plants. When cover vegetation was first removed, seedling recruitment increased from 17% to 38%. Different soil amendments had no effect on seedling establishment. Data is still being collected on the effectiveness of transplantation (Kaye, Kuykendall, and Nelson, 2000).
� Determination of optimum germination procedures. Pre-chilling for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks was tested as well as germination at alternating temperatures 59�F/77�F or 68�F/86�F (15�C/25�C or 20�C/30�C respectively). Eight weeks of cold stratification resulted in the highest germination. Germination was also greater under the 59�F/77�F (15�C/25�C) temperature regime than 68�F/86�F (20�C/30�C). Further work is needed to determine if germination percentages can be increased by longer cold stratification times or different temperature regimes (Kaye and Kuykendall, 2000).
� Germination trials at the Berry Botanic Garden resulted in a maximum germination of 100%. One and 13 year old seeds subjected to 8 weeks of cold stratification followed by alternating 50/68�F (10/20�C) both germinated at a rate of 80%, while a constant 68� F (20�C) resulted in 70% and 50% respectively. After 16 weeks cold stratification, one and 13 year old accessions yielded 70% and 90% germination respectively when subjected to the alternating temperature treatment, and 100% and 90% respectively at the constant temperature (BBG File).
� Study of the effects of livestock grazing and small mammal depredation on Lomatium bradshawii. Late-season livestock grazing (after fruit maturation) lead to an increase in emergence of new plants and in the density of plants with multiple umbels, but did not alter survival or population structure. This may be due to small disturbances of the soil and a reduction in shading by nearby plants. Small mammal depredation was lowest in plots that were subjected to grazing. Presumably, livestock grazing reduces standing crop biomass (residual cover), thereby changing the habitat for small mammals. The long-term effects are not known (Drew, 2000).

Current Management Summary

� The largest known site in Oregon and another smaller site are on private land that has been leased to The Nature Conservancy.
� Three occurrences in Oregon are on land designated as a "Wetlands Special Study Area."
� A salvage operation was undertaken in 1999 at a development site in southern Washington. Road construction and development of a golf course was planned for the area in which the plants grew. Since the land was private, no regulations prohibited the owner from paving over the plants. Berry Botanic Garden employees and volunteers removed plants from the area where the road was to be built and brought them to the BBG to become part of the living collection.
� The recovery plan was finalized in 1993. In 1994, two additional populations were discovered in Washington. An amendment to the recovery plan added the Washington populations as another recovery area. Lomatium. bradshawii can be downlisted to "threatened" when 10 populations are protected and managed to ensure their continued existence (US Fish and Wildlife Service).
� Conservation Agreements for the two Washington populations were finalized in 1995 and 1998 (US Fish and Wildlife Service).
� Manual control of woody plants and other invasive species has occurred at one of the Washington sites since 1997 (US Fish and Wildlife Service).
� Both Washington sites have been monitored since 1997 (US Fish and Wildlife Service).
� Seeds from Washington and Oregon populations stored at The Berry Botanic Garden. All recent collections (since 1998) are from one of the sites in Washington. Many seeds have been collected from garden grown plants. The last collection from wild populations in Oregon was in 1993.

Research Management Needs

� Control of invasive shrubby species (Meinke, 1982).
� Protect nesting habitat of native pollinators (Kaye and Kirkland, 1994).
� Continue monitoring plots to determine long-term impact of different grazing intensities. Collect baseline data, map individuals, conduct demographic study (plant fates, etc) (Drew, 2000).
� If warranted, utilize periodic late-season livestock grazing to maintain suitable habitat for Lomatium bradshawii. Determine the best time of year for grazing. Winter or early spring may be more beneficial than late-season grazing because L. bradshawii plants have not yet emerged (Drew, 2000).
� Determine most appropriate intensity and periodicity of grazing (ex, light grazing every other year, moderate grazing every three years, heavy grazing every five years) (Drew, 2000).
� Compare tree and brush removal, prescribed fire and mowing with livestock grazing in their effectiveness in maintaining Lomatium bradshawii (Drew, 2000).
� Occasional burning of prairie habitat. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain permits for burning due to concerns of air pollution.

Ex Situ Needs

� Collect genetically representative sample of seeds. Keep maternal lines separate when collecting seed.
� Determine reliable propagation and reintroduction protocols.

References

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Books (Single Authors)

Abrams, L.; Ferris, R.S. 1944. Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States: Washington, Oregon, and California. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

Meinke, R.J. 1982. Threatened and Endangered Vascular Plants of Oregon: An Illustrated Guide. Portland, Oregon: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region 1. 326p.

ONHP. 2001. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals of Oregon.

Electronic Sources

(2002). Endangered Species Network (ESIN). Pacific Biodiversity Institute, Winthrop, WA. http://www.pacificbio.org/ESIN/ESIN.html. Accessed: 2002.

ONHDB. (2000). Oregon Natural Heritage Program Database. Portland, Oregon.

WNHP. (2000). Washington Natural Heritage Program Database. Olympia, Washington.

Journal Articles

1942. (Original Publication). Bull. Torrey Club. 69: 246.

1997. The Jackson-Frazier Wetland. Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. 30, 6: 65-66.

Caswell, H.; Kaye, T. 2001. Stochastic demography and conservation of an endangered perennial plant (Lomatium bradshawii) in a dynamic fire regime. Advances in Ecological Research. 32: 1-51.

Falk, D.; Thibodeau, F.R. 1986. Saving the Rarest. Arnoldia. 46, 3: 2-17.

Gitzendanner, M.A.; Soltis, P.S. P. S. 2001. Genetic variation in rare and widespread Lomatium species (Apiaceae): A comparison of AFLP and SSCP data. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 58, 2: 347-356.

Huntington, D. 1990. BLM, OSU, and Nature Conservancy study rare plant. BLM News, Oregon and Washington. 4 pp.

Huntington, D. 1990. Rare Plant Focus of Cooperative Study. Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. 23: 132.

Kaye, T. 1989. Endemism and Rarity in Plants. Native Plant Society of Oregon. 22: 23-24.

Kaye, T.N. 1992. Bradshaw's Desert-Parsley: Population Monitoring and Pollination Biology. Kalmiopsis. 2: 1-4.

Kaye, T.N.; Connelly, K.; Finley, K. 1994. Population viability analysis of an endangered plant, Lomatium bradshawii, under three prairie burning treatments. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America (Supplement). 75: 106.

Kaye, T.N.; Pendergrass, K.L.; Finley, K.; Kauffman, J.B. 2001. The effect of fire on the population viability of an endangered prairie plant. Ecological Applications. 11, 5: 1366-1380.

Lindh, B. 1996. Conservation Corner: Seeds and Rare Plants. Newsletter, The Berry Botanic Garden. 9, 4: 4.

McMahan, L.R. 2000. The Endangered Plants of Portland & Surrounding Areas. The Berry Botanic Garden Newsletter. 13, 1: 4-5.

Pendergrass, K.L.; Miller, P.M.; Kauffman, J.B.; Kaye, T.N. 1999. The role of prescribed burning in maintenance of an endangered plant species, Lomatium bradshawii. Ecological Applications. 9, 4: 1420-1429.

Raven, A. 1999. Aese's Onion: A Rare Plant with an Urban Life. The Berry Botanic Garden Newsletter. 12, 2: 4-5.

Rees, M.D. 1988. Final listing rules approved for 25 species. Endangered Species Technical Bulletin. 13, 9-10: 3-5.

USFWS. 1976. Proposed Endangered Status for 1700 U.S. Plants. Federal Register. 41: 24523-24572.

USFWS. 1986. Proposed Endangered Status for Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw's Lomatium). Federal Register. 51: 42116-42119.

USFWS. 1988. Final Endangered Status for Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw's Lomatium). Federal Register. 53: 38448-38451.

Newspaper Articles

2001 June 14, 2001. Holding on for Life: Local endangered species survive in isolated patches. Eugene Weekly-Online Edition; Volume XX No. 24.

Reports

Caswell, H.; Kaye, T. 1997. Life, Death and Fire: Demography of Lomatium bradshawii in a Dynamic Environment. Eugene, Oregon: Report to the Oregon Department of Agriculture and The Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District.

Finley, K.K.; Kauffman, J.B. 1992. Soils and hydrology of Willamette Valley wetland prairies and ecological response of Lomatium bradshawii and Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens to prescribed fire. Eugene, Oregon: A progress report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management.

Gitzendanner, M.A. 1998. Genetic analysis of Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw's Lomatium). Final report on Challenge Cost Share Grant issued by the Eugene District Office Bureau of Land Management. p.14.

Guerrant, E.O. Jr. 1992. Summary of the Activities by The Berry Botanic Garden between 10/1/90 and 9/31/91 on Sensitive Plant Species of Concern to the Bureau of Land Management. Portland, OR: The Berry Botanic Garden. p.6.

Kaye, T.N.; Kirkland, M. 1994. Population Biology of Lomatium bradshawii: II. Insect Interactions, Phenology, and Breeding System. Unpublished report funded by the USDI Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District and Oregon Department of Agriculture, Plant Conservation Biology Program. p.12.

Kaye, T.N.; Kuykendall, K. 2000. Germination and propagation of rare Willamette Valley prairie plants. March 2000. Unpublished report prepared for Eugene District.

Kaye, T.N.; Kuykendall, K.; Nelson, C. 2000. Seedling transplanting rare Willamette Valley prairie plants for population restoration. Progress Report. Unpublished report prepared for Eugene District Bureau of Land Management, City of Eugene, and Institute for Applied Ecology. p.22 +.

USFWS. 1993. Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw's lomatium) Recovery Plan. Portland, Oregon: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. p.47.

Wilson, M.V.; Connelly, K.P.; Lantz, Lisa E. 1993. Plant Species, Habitat, and Site Information for Fern Ridge Reservoir. A Component of the Project to Develop Management Guidelines for Native Wetland Communities. Submitted to Waterways Experiment Station, Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi AND Soil Conservation Service, Portland, Oregon by Restoration Ecology and Plant Conservation Biology Cooperative Project, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, and Department of Rangeland Resources, Oregon State University.

Wilson, M.V.; Hammond, Paul C.; Christy, John A.; Clark, Deborah L.; Merrifield, Kathy; Wagner, David H. 1998. Upland Prairie. Contributed Chapter: Part I the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Willamette Basin Recovery Plan. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office. Order no. 13420-6-0287 (2).

Wilson, M.V.; Hammond, Paul C.; Christy, John A.; Clark, Deborah L.; Merrifield, Kathy; Wagner, David H. 1998. Wetland Prairie. Contributed Chapter: Part I the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Willamette Basin Recovery Plan. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office. Order no. 13420-6-0287 (2).

WNHP. 1999. Field Guide to Selected Rare Vascular Plants of Washington. Produced as part of a cooperative project between the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and the U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District.

Theses

Drew, A. 2000. Effects of Livestock Grazing and Small Mammal Populations on Endangered Bradshaw's Desert Parsley (Lomatium bradshawii) at Oak Creek, Willamette Valley, Oregon. [M.S. Thesis]: Oregon State University. Corvallis, Oregon.

Jackson, Scott Alan. 1996. Reproductive Aspects of Lomatium Bradshawii and Erigeron Decumbens of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. [M.S. Thesis]: University of Oregon. Eugene.

Kagan, J.S. 1980. The biology of Lomatium bradshawii (Apiaceae), a rare plant of Oregon. [M.S. Thesis]: University of Oregon. Eugene.

Kaye, T.N. 2001. Population Viability Analysis of Endangered Plant Species: An Evaluation of Stochastic Methods and an Application to a Rare Prairie Plant. [Ph.D.]: Oregon State University. Corvallis, Oregon. 153p.

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This profile was updated on 7/8/2010