Bensoniella oregona

USFWS tracks spelling variant Bensoniella 'oregona' (9/93).

The range of this species is limited to 2 counties in Oregon, and 1 in California. The total number of occurrences is less than 100. Logging and associated logging activities continue to be a major threat. But, at least 3 occurrences are protected in a Forest Service Special Interest Area developed for this species.

Bensoniella is found mainly in the Siskiyou Mts. of southwestern Oregon, Curry and Josephine Counties, with a few small disjunct populations in adjacent Humboldt County, California.

There are approximately 90 known occurrences in Oregon, and another 10 in California.

Bensoniella grows in wet meadows, and edges of bogs and springs within coniferous forests that have been historically used for timber production. These sites may be affected by changes in water regime or directly impacted from associated logging practices, e.g. landing placements. Current fire suppression techniques may also be a threat since wildland fire fighters tend to use and enhance natural openings as part of their fire line. In addition, the long term practice of preventing fires and changing the natural fire cycle may now expose plant populations to hotter and potentially more devastating fires. California pop's are threatened by logging and heavy grazing.