The Status and Distribution of Christ's Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja christii) and Davis' Wavewing (Cymopterus davisii) In The Albion Mountains, Sawtooth National Forest and City of Rocks National Reserve
Moseley RK. 1993. The Status and Distribution of Christ's Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja christii) and Davis' Wavewing (Cymopterus davisii) In The Albion Mountains, Sawtooth National Forest and City of Rocks National Reserve. Conservation Data Center, Natural Resource Policy Bureau
The Albion Mountains of Cassia County, Idaho, are an isolated massif rising over 5,000 feet above the eastern Snake River Plain. This high elevation "island" contains two endemic plants along its crest, Castilleja christii (Christ's Indian paintbrush) and Cymopterus davisii (Davis' wavewing). Due to their very restricted range, both are candidates for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act and are Intermountain Region Forest Service Sensitive Species. Castilleja christii occurs only on the summit of Mount Harrison at the north end of the Albion Mountains. Cymopterus davisii is somewhat more widespread, occurring on Mount Harrison with Castilleja christii and on Independence Mountain and Graham Peak at the southern end of the range. In late July 1993, I delineated the known populations of these two species, as well as thoroughly searched potential habitat for additional populations. I found no new populations, although I greatly expanded the Independence Mountain population of Cymopterus davisii. The single paintbrush population occupies approximately 200 acres on the summit plateau of Mount Harrison and consists of several thousand individuals. I estimate that over 100,000 Davis' wavewing individuals occupy around 314 acres on Mount Harrison, several hundred thousand occupy at least 370 acres on Independence Mountain, and the small population on Graham Peak contains between 500-1000 individuals. The Independence Mountain and Graham Peak populations of Davis' wavewing are isolated from any significant anthropogenic threats. Considerable disturbance has taken place on Mount Harrison and some habitat for both species has been destroyed. I make several recommendations regarding the conservation status and management of the two species.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Moseley, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 1993-10
- Publisher
- Conservation Data Center, Natural Resource Policy Bureau
- Units
- CIRO , UCBN
- Keywords
- Castilleja christii, Cymopterus davisii, NPSpecies, Rare Plant Inventory, Vegetation Inventory