Agastache cusickii
(Greenm.) Heller
Cusick's Giant-hyssop
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158064
Element CodePDLAM03030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderLamiales
FamilyLamiaceae
GenusAgastache
Other Common Names
Cusick's giant hyssop (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2018-01-17
Change Date2003-05-05
Edition Date2018-01-17
Edition AuthorsRoth, E. (1987), rev. E. Joyal, B. Heidel (1999), rev. S. Vrilakas (2006), rev. Treher (2018)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Known from scattered locations in eastern Oregon, northern and central Nevada, and central Idaho and adjacent southwestern Montana. Reported but unconfirmed in California. There are some localized threats, but this species is primarily found in remote, relatively secure locations. Many occurrences are based on historic observations and they should be surveyed to determine their viability. Surveys would also increase our understanding of the distribution and abundance of this species.
Range Extent Comments
Agastache cusickii occurs in Oregon (Harney, Malheur, and Wheeler Counties), central Idaho, northern and central Nevada (Steens, Santa Rosa, White Pine, and Toiyabe Mountains), southwestern Montana in Beaverhead County, and possibly northeastern California in Siskiyou County. Reported from Butte, Clark, Custer, and Lemhi Counties in Idaho.
Occurrences Comments
There are 5 to 7 occurrences in Montana, 8 in Oregon, 5 EOs in Nevada, and an unknown number of EOs in Idaho.
Threat Impact Comments
Grazing, gravel removal, slope-destabilizing road maintenance, collection by rock gardeners or possibly recreationist, and mining activities are potential localized threats in part of range. Occurs in remote habitat above 10,000 in Toiyabe Range of Nevada.
Ecology & Habitat
Description
Cusick's Horse-mint is an herbaceous, long-lived perennial with numerous stems, woody at the base arising from a branched rootcrown surmounting a taproot. Plants are 1-2 dm high, but the stems often lie prostrate beneath the surface spreading from the rootcrown. Opposite leaves have blades that are 1-2 cm long and triangular with a rounded base and a petiole that is up to 1 cm long. Foliage is covered with fine, short hairs. White flowers are borne among purple-tipped bracts in a head-like inflorescence that is 1.5-4 cm long. The tubular corolla is 8-12 mm long, and the purple-tinged calyx is tubular with 5 pointed lobes. The 5 stamens are exserted from the mouth of the flower tube.
Diagnostic Characteristics
AGASTACHE FOENICULUM and the widespread A. URTICIFOLIA have stems higher than 4 dm and leaves longer than 3 cm.
Habitat
Dry slopes at mid to upper elevations, usually on loose, rock substrate.
Terrestrial Habitats
BarrensBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | S2 | Yes |
| Montana | S2 | Yes |
| Idaho | S2 | Yes |
| Nevada | S2 | Yes |
Threat Assessments
| Threat | Scope | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - Agriculture & aquaculture | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 2.3 - Livestock farming & ranching | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 3 - Energy production & mining | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 4 - Transportation & service corridors | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 4.1 - Roads & railroads | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 5 - Biological resource use | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plants | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 5.2.1 - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 6 - Human intrusions & disturbance | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 6.1 - Recreational activities | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (2)
Nevada (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | 27,569 |
| Toiyabe Range | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | 99,225 |
References (4)
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Vanderhorst, J. 1995b. Sensitive plant survey of the Tendoy Mountains in the Beaverhead National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana. Unpublished report to the Beaverhead National Forest. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 69 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. P. 1993. Monitoring of AGASTACHE CUSICKII in the Tendoy Mountains of southwestern Montana: establishment report. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management, Butte District, Dillon Resource Area. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 13 pp. plus slides.
- Vanderhorst, J. P. and P. Lesica. 1994. Sensitive plant survey in the Tendoy Mountains, Beaverhead County, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management, Butte District. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 59 pp. plus appendices.