CPC National Collection Plant Profile
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Lupinus nipomensis
Family: |
Fabaceae |
Common Names: |
Nipomo Mesa Lupine, Nipomo Dune Lupine |
Author: |
Eastwood |
Growth Habit: |
Forb/herb |
CPC
Number: |
2724 |
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Primary
custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered
Plants is: |
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Lupinus nipomensis
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The total number of known plants has varied from between 100 and approximately 1,800 plants per year, depending on winter rainfall. Plants are distributed as a series of small colonies on the Guadalupe Dunes near the southwest edge of Nipomo Mesa in San Luis Obispo County, California. The primary threats to survival and recovery are competition from veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), selective herbivory by pocket gophers, and catastrophic loss of individual colonies.
Plants are annual, germinating with the first winter rains in November and completing their life cycle during the late winter and early spring (March-May). Reproductive plants vary in size, and may produce from one to many inflorescences.
Distribution
& Occurrence |
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State Range
Habitat
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Sandy soils near the coast, often in swales between or at the base of stabilized dunes. Associated species include such perennial species as Croton californicus, Ericameria ericoides, Eriogonum parvifolium, Senecio blochmaniae, and Ehrharta calycina, and several different annual taxa. |
Distribution
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East side of the Guadalupe Dunes at the southwest base of Nipomo Mesa, San Luis Obispo County. |
Number Left
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Only 5-7 colonies or local populations are currently known from an area less than three square miles. |
State/Area
Protection
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State/Area |
Rank |
Status |
Date |
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California |
S1.1 |
SE |
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Conservation,
Ecology & Research |
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Ecological
Relationships
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Plants require fine-grained, sandy soils of open sites or sparsely vegetated, stabilized dune communities close to the coast. Flowers are presumably capable of self-pollination, but may require insect visitation for full complements of seeds. Seed germination and maximum plant size are apparently enhanced by activities of pocket gophers, which also present a significant threat of herbivory (Walters and Walters 1989). |
Threats
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As listed in the final rule for endangered status for four plants from south central coastal California (USFWS 2000):
• The uncontrolled invasion of aggressive nonnative weeds, especially veldt grass, and the subsequent displacement of the species.
• Reduced distributions resulting from loss of habitat to coastal development.
• Vandalism on private property (nearly all occurrences are on private land, i.e., UNOCAL refinery and PG&E switching station, and remain unprotected).
• Herbivory by pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae).
• Catastrophic loss of small and vulnerable populations (including potential petroleum-processing plant catastrophes.
Additional threats:
• Proposed highway realignment for development.
• Off-road vehicle impacts. |
Current Research Summary
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Previous research has focused on habitat characteristics, life history, pests, local population size, and fruit set (Walters and Walters 1989). The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has initiated studies of seed viability and germinability, with the primary goal of determining ideal germination conditions in the natural habitat. |
Current Management Summary
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Extant sites on private lands are managed through a cooperative program involving the California Department of Fish and Game and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo. |
Research Management Needs
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• Protection of extant populations.
• Collection of seeds from remaining populations. |
Ex Situ Needs
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• Determination of microsite conditions favoring recruitment and survival.
• Experimental augmentation of population through development of seed collection by ex situ methods. |
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Journal Articles
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USFWS. 2000. Final rule for endangered status of four plants from south central coastal California. Federal Register 65 FR 14888-14898.
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Walters, B.; Walters, D. 1989. The natural history of the Nipomo Lupine (Lupinus nipomensis Eastwood). 1. Crossosoma. 15, 3: 1-14.
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Walters, B.; Walters, D. 1989. The natural history of the Nipomo Lupine (Lupinus nipomensis Eastwood). 1. Crossosoma. 15, 4: 1-10.
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This
profile was updated on 3/4/2010 |
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