Home/Species/ Damnation Pass Phacelia

Phacelia damnationensis

Kierstead, Lindstrand & M.J. Lenz

Damnation Pass Phacelia

G2Imperiled Found in 4 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G2ImperiledGlobal Rank

MediumThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1311264

Element CodePDHYD0C750

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicendemic to a single state or province

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderSolanales

FamilyHydrophyllaceae

GenusPhacelia

Concept Reference

Kierstead, J.A., L. Lindstrand, and M.J. Lenz. 2022. A new species of Phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae) from the southeastern Klamath Mountains, California. Madrono 69(4): 341-348.

Taxonomic Comments

Phacelia damnationensis is described as a new species by Kierstead et al (2022). "Morphologically it appears most closely related to Phacelia Juss. sect. Baretiana Walden & R.Patt., which contains three other species: P. bolanderi A. Gray, P. hydrophylloides Torr. ex A. Gray, and P. procera A. Gray" (Kierstead et al. 2022).

Conservation Status

Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2

Review Date2024-05-13

Change Date2024-05-13

Edition Date2025-06-11

Edition AuthorsTomaino, A. (2024), rev. Johnson, J. (2025)

Threat ImpactMedium

Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)

Number of Occurrences6 - 20

Rank Reasons

Phacelia damnationensis is a known only from five small areas in the eastern Klamath Ranges of Shasta County, California, United States. The open, rocky ridgetop locations in which it occurs have been subject to timberland and other management activities and exposed to historical and recent wildfire but the species appears to be well-adapted to wildfire.

Range Extent Comments

"Phacelia damnationensis is endemic to the southeastern Klamath Mountains from the divide between Clear Creek and the upper Sacramento River canyon, and from the South Fork Hazel Creek watershed located on the east side of the upper Sacramento River canyon" (Kierstead et al. 2022). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, California Natural Diversity Database records, and Calflora observations collected between 1994 and 2025 (Calflora 2025, CNDDB 2025, GBIF 2025, RARECAT 2025).

Occurrences Comments

By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records, California Natural Diversity Database records, and Calflora observations collected between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 9 occurrences rangewide (CNDDB 2025, Calflora 2025, GBIF 2025, RARECAT 2025). When a 0.25 mile separation distance is applied, there are 11 occurrences (CNDDB 2025, CNPS 2025).

Threat Impact Comments

The species has an apparent tolerance, or even preference for disturbed habitats and occurs in relatively remote areas (Kierstead et al. 2022). "Habitats at or near all known occurrences have been subject to historical wildfire, forest road construction, logging, and recent disturbances from the 2018 Carr and Delta wildfires and subsequent timber salvage activities. These areas receive regular human visitation, particularly during hunting season and through various forest management activities. Activities in the immediate vicinity of most occurrences are limited due to the steep, open slope habitat. Surrounding land use includes recreational activities, timberland management, and the BLM occurrence is in a designated off-highway vehicle area" (Kierstead et al. 2022).

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Phacelia damnationensis occurs on open, rocky, gravelly, mountain slopes in coniferous forest habitats, and also on talus, roadsides, disturbed areas (Kierstead et al. 2022).

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest/WoodlandForest - ConiferBare rock/talus/scree

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN2

Province	Rank	Native
California	S2	Yes

Threat Assessments

Threat	Scope	Severity	Timing
4 - Transportation & service corridors	Unknown	Unknown	High (continuing)
4.1 - Roads & railroads	Unknown	Unknown	High (continuing)
5 - Biological resource use	Restricted (11-30%)	Moderate or 11-30% pop. decline	Moderate (short-term)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvesting	Restricted (11-30%)	Moderate or 11-30% pop. decline	Moderate (short-term)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbance	Small (1-10%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activities	Small (1-10%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
7 - Natural system modifications	Pervasive (71-100%)	Moderate or 11-30% pop. decline	Moderate (short-term)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppression	Pervasive (71-100%)	Moderate or 11-30% pop. decline	Moderate (short-term)

Plant Characteristics

DurationPERENNIAL

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (4)

California (4)

Area	Forest	Acres
Backbone	Shasta-Trinity National Forest	11,466
Dog Creek	Shasta-Trinity National Forest	5,001
Lake Eleanor	Shasta-Trinity National Forest	397
Slate Creek	Shasta-Trinity National Forest	6,636

References (6)

CalFlora. 2025. Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. Berkeley, California: The CalFlora Database [web application]. Available: http://www.calflora.org/. (Accessed 2025).
California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2025. A Manual of California Vegetation, Online Edition. <a href="http://www.cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/">http://www.cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/</a>; accessed 2025. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). 2025. RareFind Version 5.3.0. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
Kierstead, J.A., L. Lindstrand, and M.J. Lenz. 2022. A new species of <i>Phacelia </i>(Hydrophyllaceae) from the southeastern Klamath Mountains, California. Madrono 69(4): 341-348.
<p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>

Phacelia damnationensis

Habitat

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