''Plagiobothrys hirtus'', the rough popcornflower, is a plant species with only about a dozen reportedly extant occurrences, all within the Umpqua River watershed in

Douglas County, Oregon Douglas County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 111,201. The county seat is Roseburg. The county is named after Stephen A. Douglas, an American politician who supported Orego ...

. It is federally listed endangered in the United States of America. In fact ''P. hirtus'' is now considered to be one of the top three most endangered

vascular plant Vascular plants (), also called tracheophytes () or collectively Tracheophyta (), form a large group of land plants ( accepted known species) that have lignified tissues (the xylem) for conducting water and minerals throughout the plant. They al ...

species in the Northwest. The state of

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

has ranked this plant as its number one recovery priority due to its high degree of threat as well as its high rating in recovery potential. Its recovery depends on conservation of existing populations as well as reintroduction of new populations in protected and species-appropriate areas. The

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s most suitable for ''P. hirtus'' are seasonal wetlands, which are inundated with water from late fall until spring, but may dry out in summer. However, development, agriculture, and fire suppression have all played a role in the alteration and elimination of much of this species’ habitat. After overwintering submerged in water, this facultatively perennial herb bears a basal rosette of leaves which gives rise to a hairy flowering stalk that can be up to 70 cm tall. These stalks bear spirals of white and yellow inflorescences of five-petaled flowers. The flowers are

self-compatible Self-incompatibility (SI) is a general name for several genetic mechanisms that prevent self-fertilization in sexually reproducing organisms, and thus encourage outcrossing and allogamy. It is contrasted with separation of sexes among individuals ...

, but need insects to achieve

pollination Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds, most often by an animal or by wind. Pollinating agents can be animals such as insects, birds ...

and significant seed set, and can produce up to four tan- to black-colored, one-seeded nutlets. Recruitment is highly viable in the greenhouse, with a 65 to 95 percent germination rate, and cultivated plants transplant well into the field. These two – high viability and prolific growth after transplanting—are what make the reintroduction of the species so promising. Reintroduced populations of ''P. hirtus'' established by the Oregon Department of Agriculture have been thriving for sixteen years. To date, reintroductions projects have been successful in augmenting existing and creating new populations of the species, with plants persisting since the initial 1998 reintroductions.Amsberry, K., and R.J. Meinke. ''Plagiobothrys hirtus'' Reintroduction project and population monitoring: 2009 final report. Report prepared for Bureau of Land Management During this time, information has also been gathered concerning the life history and establishment ecology of the species. Under careful monitoring and management, this species now has an excellent chance to be self-sustaining in the future, assuming additional populations can be established on administratively protected lands.

References

External links

ODA Plant Division: Plant ConservationUSDA NRCS Plants ProfileCenter for Plant Conservation
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7200469 Hirtus Douglas County, Oregon Flora of Oregon Endemic flora of Oregon Endemic flora of the United States