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Thermopsis macrophylla

Hook. & Arn.

California Golden-banner

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Very high - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.150279
Element CodePDFAB3Z0E0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusThermopsis
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic Comments
As presently treated by Kartesz (1999), Thermopsis macrophylla has no varieties and it is considered a California endemic; various former varieties are treated by Kartesz as other species. The Jepson Manual (Hickman, 1993) includes 4 varieties within a broader T. macrophylla, but states that it is a regionally diverse complex that has been classified variously.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2016-05-18
Change Date1998-06-24
Edition Date2016-05-18
Edition AuthorsK. Maybury (2003); rev. R. Bittman (2005), rev. Bittman and Treher (2016)
Threat ImpactVery high - medium
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank Reasons
Endemic to Santa Barbara County, California and known from fewer than 7 occurrences. Although seven sites are documented, only one is confirmed extant. Apparently disturbance dependent and fire suppression is the primary threat. Historic sites need to be surveyed.
Range Extent Comments
California endemic from Santa Barbara County (California Department of Fish and Game, 1997).
Occurrences Comments
Seven occurrences, three of which are extirpated or possibly extirpated. Only one site has been seen in the last 20 years. However, this is a fire follower and fire suppression has been the rule for decades in California. The seed bank may hold many more occurrences than we currently know about.
Threat Impact Comments
Fire suppression is noted as a threat but the species is ranked "not endangered" by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS 2001). It should be noted that continued fire suppression is a real threat. The seed bank may or may not be very long-lived, but at some point the seed will start to disappear. Additional threats are invasive species, ORVs, and road grading.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In chaparral. It is found in open areas such as fuel breaks, after burns; on sandstone; 420-2050 m altitude (California Department of Fish and Game, 1997).
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparral
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
California (1)
AreaForestAcres
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
References (4)
  1. California Department of Fish and Game. 1997. RareFind 2 personal computer program. Information dated March 1999. Sacramento, California.
  2. California Department of Fish and Game. 2000. Natural Diversity Database (RareFind 2), Version 2.1.2, January 25, 2000. Downloaded in 2003.
  3. California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2001. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (sixth edition). Rare Plant Scientific Advisory Committee, David P. Tibor, Convening Editor. California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA. x + 388pp.
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.