Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.147424
Element CodePDFAB2B1R0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusLupinus
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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 Date2015-06-15
Change Date2015-06-15
Edition Date2015-06-15
Edition AuthorsGravuer, K., rev. G. Davis (2012), rev. R. Bittman (2015)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank ReasonsKnown only from high elevations of the central High Sierra Nevada region of California, where known occurrences are largely limited to Yosemite National Park in Inyo, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Madera counties; there may be a few scattered occurrences in the surrounding National Forests. Thirteen mapped occurrences and 9 unprocessed sources are known. Threats do not appear to be severe at this time and include trampling, trail erosion, recreational activities, potential trailhead redevelopment, large floods, and in some places, over-shading by Pinus contorta.
Range Extent CommentsKnown only from high elevations of the central High Sierra Nevada region of California, where known occurrences are largely limited to Yosemite National Park in Inyo, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Madera counties (Hickman 1993, Moore et al. 2005, CNPS 2009, Consortium of California Herbaria 2009). Botti (2001 cited in Moore et al. 2005) describes the species as ranging throughout the Cathedral Range south through the Clark Range. Weeden (1996) described the range as "Rock Creek Lake Basin to Yosemite National Park."
Occurrences Comments13 mapped occurrences and 9 unprocessed sources in the backlog (CNDDB 2015).
Moore et al. (2005) estimate that there are approximately eight known localities in Yosemite National Park. They were able to confirm and census four of these localities during a 2003-2004 survey; some of the remaining sites are only vaguely described in original records, complicating their re-location. Moore et al. (2005) believe that "L. gracilentus appears to be more common in Yosemite than current park or herbarium records indicate. Additional collections of this rare species, which often forms extensive stands, are needed to better document its distribution." Although this species is believed to be " largely limited to Yosemite" (Moore et al. 2005), there may be a few scattered occurrences in the surrounding National Forests. For example, CNDDB (2009) has one mapped occurrence in the Inyo National Forest, and the species is on the Watch Lists of the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests.
Threat Impact CommentsThreats include development, roads, foot traffic, trampling, and in some places, over-shading by Pinus contorta; however, it is mostly in Yosemite National Park (CNDDB 2015).
Threatened by foot traffic (trampling), trail erosion, and recreational activities (Moore et al. 2005, CNPS 2009). One population is potentially threatened by the possible redevelopment of a trailhead in its vicinity (Moore et al. 2005). At least two of the known occurrences are in locations vulnerable to large floods; they persisted through a large flood in 1997, however (Moore et al. 2005).