Download bearded owl clover - Draft

Bearded Owl-clover (Triphysaria versicolor ssp. versicolor) Global: G5T5, Provincial: S1, COSEWIC: E, BC List: Red
Note on Taxonomy for Triphysaria versicolor ssp. versicolor: syn. Orthocarpus faucibarbatus ssp. Albidus: Bearded owl-clover is also referred to as
“yellowbeak owl’s-clover” (E-Flora/USDA Plants Database).
Distribution: Elevations usually <10 m: Bearded owl-clover occurs in disjunct populations from northern California to Oregon but is absent from Washington
State’s coast. In B.C. The versicolor subspecies is the only subspecies of Triphysaria found in British Columbia and is only known from southeastern
Vancouver Island where it is at the northern end of its range in North America (GOERT 2008). Currently, there are 9 known occurrences and 5 unconfirmed
historic localities occurring along approximately 22 km of coastline in and near Victoria from Harling Point to near Glencoe Cove. Populations range between
20 and 1000 plants.
Description: Height 100-500mm An erect annual herb the stems and leaves are a greenish brown covered in fine hairs. Leaves are alternate along the main
stem. Each tapered leaf divides into 5-9 pinnate lobes, 20-80 mm long at evenly spaced intervals along the individual leaf stem. Leaves decrease to small bracts
toward the upper parts of stems. Flowers form a dense cluster of small whitish yellow blossoms fading to rose on a terminal spike 50-200 mm long. Individual
flowers are 12-22 mm long and are club-shaped and tubular (similar to a ‘golf tee’). The lower part of the flower is two-lipped and surrounded by a leaf-shaped
bract 8-18 mm long. The bottom lip of the flower is slightly longer than the upper lip, distinctly hairy and with purple dots along the margins. Flowers produce
capsules 6-9 mm long containing 30–50 dark brown seeds (1 mm long). In BC methods of pollination are unknown but likely by out-crossing (BC
Conservation Data Center). This species is a “hemiparasite” and parasitizes the roots of a number of associated host plants (possibly grasses) as part of its life
cycle (Parks Canada 2006, GOERT 2008).
Look’s Like? When not in bloom dwarf owl-clover (Triphysaria pusilla), a small plant with distinctly separated dark reddish leaves and smaller flowers could
be confused with bearded owl-clover.
Primary Habitat: An annual tolerant of continuous sun, wind and salt spray plants favour southern, eastern or northeastern aspects. Other native wildflowers
include broad-leaved shooting star and common camas (in moist upper slope areas). These communities also tend to contain large amounts of invasive alien
pasture grasses such as orchard-grass and brome species (Parks Canada 2006)
Secondary Habitat: Populations also occupy seasonal seepages that occur on slightly sloping exposed rocky outcrops along the shoreline that dry up toward
the end of summer.
Critical Features: Bearded owl-clover is distinctly shade intolerant and is usually found growing within shallow damp to wet soils in shortgrass/forb
communities that form headland meadows and grasslands near the ocean.
Seasonal Life Cycle
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Germination in January
Leaf out in February
Flowering April until late May
Fruit production &
seed dispersal April
– July
Die-back late June
Habitat Guild: Sea level to low elevation wildflower meadows, Garry Oak woodlands and marine bluffs, rock outcroppings and seeps.
Threats
 The preferred ecological associations of this species are geographically limited and subject to urban development and associated habitat loss
 Disturbance and trampling from outdoor recreation activities.
 Competition for nutrients and shading from associated vascular plants and subsequently expansion of other more shade tolerant species.
 Fire suppression has led to increased spread and encroachment of competitive plant species (i.e. vascular plants) including several invasive species.
Key Conservation & Management Objectives
 Assess actual level and extent of threats to existing populations.
 A targeted inventory is needed to determine if undiscovered populations exist elsewhere within the Coast Region. Conduct outreach to raise awareness of
this species and how to identify it to improve distribution knowledge
 Monitor existing populations on an ongoing basis to assess viability and reduce potential disturbance from land use activities.
 Where suitable habitat occurs work with land managers and land owners to ensure development or recreational activities do not disturb or encroach on
sensitive areas.
 Prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants, especially aggressive competitors like Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry, which can be
difficult to control once they are established. When controlling invasive plants, take precautions to minimize disturbance.
 Meet objectives for this species and the conservation of its habitat as set out in the “Recovery Strategy for Multi-species at Risk in Maritime Meadows
Associated with Garry Oak Ecosystems in Canada”.
 Sightings, specimens, or observations of activities threatening its habitat should be reported to the regional Species at Risk Biologist at the Ministry of
Environment office.
Main References/Literature Cited
Parks Canada Agency. 2006. Recovery Strategy for Multi-species at Risk in Maritime Meadows Associated with Garry Oak Ecosystems in Canada. In Species
at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Ottawa: Parks Canada Agency. 93 pps.
Draft 201Disclaimer: This species account and related conservation recommendations are draft only and presently under review and subject to change.
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Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia. 2008. Triphysaria versicolor ssp. Versicolor Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery
Team.
International Forest Products Limited and BC Ministry of Environment. 2003. A Field Guide to Species at Risk in the Coast Forest Region of British Columbia
Develop With Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia.
BC Species & Ecosystems Explorer (BC Conservation Data Center Summary Report)
NatureServe Explorer
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
E-Flora Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia
USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database
Image credits:
Bearded Owl Clover: Hans Roemer
Inset: Wayne Webber, California Academy of Sciences
Dwarf owl’s – clover: randomtruth (flikr)
Habitat: Harling Point - Diane M. Rogers
Draft 201Disclaimer: This species account and related conservation recommendations are draft only and presently under review and subject to change.
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