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Collomia mazama

Coville

Mt. Mazama Collomia

G3Vulnerable Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
HighThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.153210
Element CodePDPLM02070
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilyPolemoniaceae
GenusCollomia
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 Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-05
Change Date1989-09-21
Edition Date2025-05-05
Edition AuthorsJoyal, E., rev. D. Gries, rev. Johnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Collomia mazama is a perennial herb known from the western United States where there are 31 extant occurrences in three counties in southern Oregon. Most of the occurrences are on federally managed land. Hikers, trail crews, and logging pose minor threats to this species; wildfire and deer predation are more serious threats.
Range Extent Comments
Collomia mazama occurs in the western United States, where it is known from the southern Cascade Range of Oregon in Douglas, Jackson, and Klamath counties. The three main population areas are near Crater Lake (Mount Mazama), the Sky Lakes Wilderness, and the Rogue-Umpque Divide Wilderness (Oregon State University 2025). The range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 29 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Several Collomia mazama populations have been impacted by recreational activities associated with the trail system in Crater Lake National Park (Baldwin 1999). Logging is a potential threat for populations outside of Crater Lake National Park and wilderness areas. Predation by deer appears to play a significant role in the population dynamics of this species, with up to 45 percent of a population being eaten before setting seed (Baldwin 1999.) The forest habitat of this species is threatened by increasing wildfire size and total area burned per year in the southern Cascades (Wildland Fire Management Research, Development, & Application Program 2025).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

The edges of alpine meadows and slopes and dry rocky places in mountain hemlock, red and noble fir, or lodgepole forest (Baldwin 1999).

Reproduction

"Research results indicate that a large number of seeds may be produced during a given year (up to 750 seeds per square meter) but the rates of germination and survival are extremely low. No more than ten percent of seeds will germinate the following year, with a mortality rate of 50 percent in each of the successive growing seasons. Seedling growth averages one centimeter per year, with flower and seed production beginning at a height of 5-10 cm, or at an estimated age of 7-12 years. Up to 50 percent of the plants flowering in a given season will not flower the following year, and approximately 10 percent of the population will be dormant for a full growing season. Additionally, predation by deer appears to play a significant role in the population dynamics of this species, with up to 45 percent of a population being eaten before setting seed. Taken together, these factors indicate that the rarity of this plant may be due to the combination of low survivorship, slow growth rates, and predation." (Baldwin 1999)
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferGrassland/herbaceousAlpine
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
OregonS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useRestricted - smallUnknownModerate (short-term)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvestingRestricted - smallUnknownModerate (short-term)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsLarge (31-70%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionLarge (31-70%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (3)
Oregon (3)
AreaForestAcres
SherwoodUmpqua National Forest2,449
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Sky Lakes BWinema National Forest9,615
References (10)
  1. Baldiwn, C. 1999. The Rare Treasure of Mount Mazama Collomia. Crate Lake Nature Notes, v 30
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  3. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  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.
  5. NatureServe. 2025. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
  6. NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2024. Version: 1.1.1 (released Oct 01, 2024).
  7. Oregon State University (OSU). 2025. Oregon Flora website. Oregon State University Herbarium at Oregon State University. Online. Available: https://oregonflora.org/ (accessed 2025).
  8. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  9. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  10. Wildland Fire Management Research, Development, & Application Program. 2025. InterAgencyFirePerimeterHistory All Years (1900-2023) [data set]. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). https://data-nifc.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/e02b85c0ea784ce7bd8add7ae3d293d0_0/explore