Schwalbea
Schwalbea | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Orobanchaceae |
Tribe: | Cymbarieae |
Genus: | Schwalbea L.[5] |
Species: | S. americana
|
Binomial name | |
Schwalbea americana L.[4]
|
Schwalbea americana, commonly known as American chaffseed, is the
Description
This species is an herbaceous plant that grows 1.0-2.6 ft (0.3-0.8 m) in height. It flowers April through June, and is
Life cycle
Although it is a root-hemiparasite (partially dependent on its host), the species is not host-specific and may parasitize a variety of trees, shrubs, and herbs.
Fire appears to be a requirement for long-term viability strongly affecting the reproductive success by controlling conditions necessary for successful seed germination and possibly required for young plants to make their haustorial connection. The few brief months immediately following a fire are enough time for the minute seeds to germinate in the mineral soil under full sun without litter and competing vegetation. The coarse, thickened chaffseed capsule insulates the seeds from the higher temperature of the fire and the heat exposure may increase germination rates.
Taxonomy
Schwalbea americana was first described by
Distribution and habitat
American chaffseed typically grows in sandy, acidic, seasonally moist to dry soils. It is generally found in open habitats such as moist pine flatwoods, pine/wiregrass savannas, and ecotonal areas between peaty wetlands and xeric sandy soils. All of these habitats were historically maintained by human or lightning-caused wildfires.[1] These pine savanna habitats are known for being particularly species-rich.[3]: 44704
Status and conservation
American chaffseed was listed as Federally Endangered effective October 29, 1992.[3]
Historically, the species occurred on the
In total, 71 extant populations have been identified, but most are small in plant numbers and area covered. In North Carolina, there are 18 extant occurrences, 17 of which occur on
Recovery plan
A recovery plan was launched on September 29, 1995, by
American chaffseed will be considered for reclassification when:[10]: 27–28- at least 50 viable sites, distributed throughout the current range of the species, are provided permanent long-term protection;
- four of the 50 sites are located in the northern portion of the species range (Massachusetts to Virginia);
- management agreements or plans are in place for all 50 of the protected sites (land management objectives to include items related to "fire suppression, hog damage, and/or silviculture practices" per amended criteria[11]);
- life history and ecological requirements are understood sufficiently to determine viability of extant populations (at least 100 individuals per population per amended criteria[11]); and
- biennial monitoring shows that the 50 sites are viable over a 10-year period.
References
- ^ a b c d NatureServe (5 January 2024). "Schwalbea americana". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ a b "American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Peters, Dana M.; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (29 September 1992). "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Schwalbea Americana (American Chaffseed)". Federal Register. 57 (189): 44703–44708. 57 FR 44703
- ^ a b "IPNI Plant Name Details for Schwalbea americana L." The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2017-02-26.
- ^ "IPNI Plant Name Details for Schwalbea L." The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^ "IPNI Plant Name Details for Schwalbea australis Pennell". The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^ "Schwalbea americana var. australis (Pennell) Reveal & C.R. Broome". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^ "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States by Alan Weakley".
- ^ Annear, Steve (3 August 2018). "Endangered plant that hasn't been seen in Mass. for 50 years found on Cape Cod". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ a b Peters, Dana (29 September 1995). American Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) Recovery Plan (PDF) (Report). Hadley, Massachusetts: Region Five, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ a b c American Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) Recovery Plan Amendment 1 (PDF) (Report). Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2024.