Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense
Pitkin Marsh lily | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Subfamily: | Lilioideae |
Tribe: | Lilieae |
Genus: | Lilium |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | L. p. subsp. pitkinense
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Trinomial name | |
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense (Beane & Vollmer) Skinner
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Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense, the Pitkin Marsh lily, is an
Distribution
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense is found in the narrow elevation range of 35–60 metres (115–197 ft) above mean sea level.[2] The Pitkin Marsh lily is found only in freshwater marshes and wet meadows in western Sonoma County, Northern California.[2] There are only three known colonies of this rare species in the vicinity, including the Pitkin Marsh situated near State Route 116 between Sebastopol and Forestville, California.[3][4] A land development proposal has been proposed which would infringe upon this
The historic range is thought to have been throughout a slightly wider portion of the wetlands of Sonoma County,[5] with much higher densities of organisms, possibly ranging into the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
Description
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense attains a height of 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft). The leaves of the Pitkin Marsh lily are typically about 14 centimetres (5.5 in) long and one to two centimetres (0.39 to 0.79 in) in width. The whorled leaves of the Pitkin Marsh lily are staggered along the stem, and are generally elliptical to oblanceolate in shape.[6] Near the Pitkin Marsh, individuals are found which seem to be hybrids with the closely related Panther lily.[6]
The plant blooms in the months of June and July.
This species is distinguished from its more common lookalike, the Leopard lily (Lilium pardalinum), by shorter petals and anthers.
Conservation
The U.S. Federal Government undertook hearings on listing the Pitkin Marsh lily as early as 1996.
- Five colonies status
There are three known extant colonies of the Pitkin Marsh lily in wetland areas of western Sonoma County.[11] The owner of the first property has denied researchers access to the colony since 1975. It is presumed that the plants still exist, but there is no confirmation of the number of organisms remaining.
The second site is the Pitkin Marsh, which was nearly extirpated by land development in 1960s, but approximately 200 plants remain. A major subdivision is planned in the surrounding area, but a "conservation easement" agreement between the California Department of Fish and Game and the landowner will mitigate in preserving this population. The recent threat to the Pitkin Marsh colony occurred when a 27-acre (110,000 m2) parcel, including part of the marsh, was proposed for development as a 29-bed residential care facility. This zoning application is pending with the County of Sonoma.
At the third known site, where this had once been a common species, only two individuals remain. This loss was due to wetland filling, but was primarily caused by the collection of specimens and bulbs for horticultural use. Owners of the latter two sites entered into voluntary protection agreements with The Nature Conservancy in 1989.
The fourth site is Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sabastopol Ca. There are several individuals but they are in decline due to being in a well traveled area of the park.
The fifth site is a forest north east of the town of Bodega. Their status is unknown.
See also
References
- ^ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plant profile for the Pitkin Marsh lily Archived 2007-06-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Jepson Manual, University of California Press (1993)
- ^ Sonoma County Audubon Society Online Archived 2007-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ P. Rubtzoff, A phytogeographical analysis of the Pitkin Marsh (Sonoma County). Wasmann Journal of Biology. 11:129-219 (1953).
- ^ Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Roblar Road Rock Quarry, Earth Metrics Inc. Report 7673, prepared for Sonoma County and the California State Clearinghouse, September, 1989
- ^ a b Flora of North America: Profile of the Pitkin Marsh lily
- ^ U.S. Federal Register: Consideration of federal listing of nine plant species
- ^ U.S. Federal Register 62 FR 54791 54808 (1997)
- ^ Habitat Conservation Planning Branch (2006). "Conservation profile of Pitkin Marsh lily". California Department of Fish and Game. Archived from the original on 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ Sierra Club plant profile for the Pitkin Marsh lily Archived 2007-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Center for Plant Conservation: Profile for Pitki Marsh lily Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine