DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis
var. amargosae)
Legal Status
State: S2.31
California Rare Plant Rank: 1B.32
Federal: Bureau of Land Management Sensitive
Critical Habitat: N/A
Recovery Planning: N/A
Taxonomy
Amargosa beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae), also
known as Death Valley beardtongue and Death Valley penstemon, is a
subshrub within the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), recently
segregated from the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) (Jepson Flora
Project 2011).
The intraspecific taxon was first described by D.D. Keck in 1937 (IPNI
2011) and was treated as a subspecies of Penstemon fruticiformis until
1992, when N.H. Holmgren published a paper treating it as a variety
(Holmgren 1992). There does not appear to be any further debate
about the taxonomic status of the variety. The Jepson eFlora (Jepson
Flora Project 2011) lists variety amargosae as one of two varieties of
Penstemon fruticiformis. The other variety is fruticiformis, which has a
slightly larger corolla than variety amargosae and a glabrous corolla
instead of a glandular one.
A single California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) occurrence
mentioned confusion about whether to call the individuals variety
amargosae or variety fruticiformis due to overlapping or similar
characteristics. However, no other record reviewed (e.g., CDFG 2012a;
CCH 2011) mentions any taxonomic uncertainty at the variety level.
1
2
S2: Imperiled; X.3: vulnerable.
1B: Rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. X.3: not very threatened in California.
1
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
Amargosa beardtongue stands approximately 30 to 60 centimeters (1
to 2 feet) tall. Descriptions of the species’ physical characteristics can
be found in the Jepson Online eFlora (Jepson Flora Project 2011), and
in collection records provided by the Consortium of California
Herbaria (CCH) (CCH 2011).
Distribution
General
Amargosa beardtongue is known from the southern Great Basin
floristic province east of the Sierra Nevada, the Desert province in the
northern desert mountains, and in western Nevada (Baldwin et al.
2002). In California, it has been documented in eastern Inyo and San
Bernardino counties, with the majority of the occurrences from the
vicinity of Death Valley.
In California, the CCH (CCH 2011) reports 22 collections of this taxon;
there are 18 occurrences in the CNDDB (CDFG 2012a). The majority
(15) of CNDDB records are located in Inyo County within the
following U.S. Geological Survey quadrangles: Ballarat, Blackwater
Mine, Cactus Peak, East of Echo Canyon, Emigrant Pass, Homewood
Canyon, Horse Thief Springs, Jackass Canyon, Last Chance Mtn.,
Nelson Range, Tecopa Pass, and Thimble Peak (CDFG 2012a). Within
San Bernardino County, there are three occurrences, which are found
within Horse Thief Springs and the Sheep Creek Spring quadrangles
(CDFG 2012a).
In Nevada, Amargosa beardtongue has been documented from Nye
and Clark counties in 21 occurrences (Nevada Natural Heritage
Program 2001).
Figure SP-P3 shows the range of Amargosa beardtongue in California.
Distribution and Occurrences within the Plan Area
Within the Plan Area, the CNDDB reports 11 occurrences of
Amargosa beardtongue located in a small portion of the Plan Area
(CDFG 2012a). These are located in the northeastern portion of the
Plan Area (CDFG 2012a).
2
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
Historical
Within the Plan Area, six CNDDB records were last seen prior to 1990,
including the two northernmost records, which were last seen in the
1980s (CDFG 2012a). Two records in the Horse Thief Springs
quadrangle in the vicinity of Tecopa Pass along Tecopa Road were last
seen in 1935 and 1941. However, there are other Amargosa
beardtongue occurrences in the immediate vicinity that were
observed in the 1980s and 1990s (CDFG 2012a; CCH 2011).
The remaining two occurrences were last seen in the 1980s and are
considered inexact locations by the California Department of Fish and
Game (CDFG). These two occurrences are located to the west and east
of Tecopa Pass; the easternmost occurrence is within approximately 4
miles of the Nevada border (CDFG 2012a). There are no CCH or other
CNDDB records in either of these two areas (CCH 2011; CDFG 2012a).
One record from the CCH (CCH 2011) is located approximately 5 to 7
miles from the nearest recorded CNDDB occurrence and is not
referenced in any CNDDB occurrence records. This collection was
made in 1986 on a pass between the Nopah and Kingston ranges.
Recent
More recent records of Amargosa beardtongue within the Plan Area are
primarily in the Horse Thief Springs quadrangle, including two records
in the Silver Rule Mine Canyon wash, which together comprise
approximately 73 acres of occupied habitat; one record from a canyon
approximately 0.7 mile south–southeast of Crystal Spring with 20
plants observed in 1991; and one record from “a wash above Crystal
Springs” with three plants observed in 2010 (CDFG 2012a).
Figure SP-P3 provides Amargosa beardtongue’s range in California
with both the recent and historic CNDDB occurrences overlaid.
Two CNDDB occurrences (element occurrence [EO] #7 and #15) in
the Plan Area are within Death Valley National Park. Of the remaining
nine occurrences within the Plan Area located outside of Death Valley
National Park, ownership is as follows:
3
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)

Five occurrences (EO #1 through #3, #12, and #17) are located on
BLM land. However, EO #17, which is a non-specific polygon, also
overlaps with three small private parcels when compared against
a recent land ownership geographic information system (GIS)
layer (CAL FIRE 2011);

One (EO #5) states that it is located on BLM and state land
according to the CNDDB (CDFG 2012a), but in fact appears to be
primarily on private land when compared against a land
ownership GIS layer (CAL FIRE 2011); and

Three (EO #4, #6, and #13) are listed as having “unknown”
ownership in the CNDDB (CDFG 2012a). Element occurrence #4
appears to be within BLM lands when compared against a land
ownership GIS layer (CAL FIRE 2011). Element occurrence #6,
which is a non-specific polygon, overlaps with private land, BLM
land, and State Lands Commission land (CAL FIRE 2011). Element
occurrence #13, which is also a non-specific polygon, overlaps
private land and BLM land. Because these are non-specific
polygons, it is difficult to assess who owns the lands where these
occurrences are actually located.
In summary, of the 11 occurrences of Amargosa beardtongue within
the Plan Area, 4 appear to occur on lands that are, at least partially,
under private control.
Natural History
Habitat Requirements
Amargosa beardtongue grows within sandy or gravelly washes
within Mojave Desert scrub communities and pinyon-juniper
woodlands (CDFG 2012a; CNPS 2011; BLM 2011). Many records
appear to be within a rocky or sandy wash or on the rocky or sandy
slopes directly adjacent to a wash within steep-walled canyons
(CDFG 2012a; CCH 2011).
There appears to be disagreement about the elevation range where
this species may be found. CNDDB element occurrence records report
elevations from 3,200 to 6,200 feet (CDFG 2012a). The California
Native Plant Society (CNPS) (CNPS 2011) reports 850 to 1,400 meters
4
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
(2,789 to 4,593 feet), and the Jepson Online Interchange (Jepson Flora
Project 2011) states 350 to 1,750 meters (1,148 to 5,741 feet).
Table 1. Habitat Associations for Amargosa Beardtongue
Land Cover
Habitat
Type
Designation
Mojave Desert Primary habitat
scrub,
pinyonjuniper
woodland
Habitat
Parameters
Sand or gravel
substrate, 1,148
to 6,200 feet
elevation
Supporting
Information
Jepson Flora
Project 2011;
CDFG 2012a;
BLM 2011
Associated species include desert almond (Prunus fasciculata), skunk
bush sumac (Rhus trilobata), desert needle grass (Stipa speciosa),
Parry’s beargrass (Nolina parryi), Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera),
Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia), Utah mortonia (Mortonia
utahensis), and Utah agave (Agave utahensis) (CDFG 2012a).
Reproduction
Plants bloom between May and June according to the Jepson eFlora
(Jepson Flora Project 2011), but the National Park Service reports that
within Death Valley National Park, plants bloom from late April to
early June above 4,000 feet on mountain slopes or upper canyons
(National Park Service 2011a). The CNPS reports an April–June
blooming period as well (CNPS 2011).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Bee Biology and Systematics
Laboratory studied bee pollination in Amargosa beardtongue, among
other species, in Clark County, Nevada. Four species of bees were
observed frequenting Amargosa beardtongue: Anthophora urbana,
Apis mellifera, Halictus tripartitus, and Lasioglossum sp. (Griswold et
al. 2006).
Ecological Relationships
According to the CNDDB, Amargosa beardtongue is host to the silvery
blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) (CDFG 2012a). No other
information is provided, such as whether Amargosa beardtongue is a
host plant or nectar plant, or whether the butterfly provides benefits
5
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
to Amargosa beardtongue (e.g., pollination, etc.). As mentioned above,
bees appear to be at least one pollinator of this plant. Additional
ecological relationships remain to be explored.
Population Status and Trends
Global: G4T3, Vulnerable (CDFG 2012b)
State: S2.3, Imperiled (CDFG 2012b)
Abundance estimates of Amargosa beardtongue are difficult to assess
given the limited number of records of this taxon within California
and typical fluctuations in population size over the short-term
resulting from rainfall and other weather patterns. Within the Plan
Area, population counts are available for only a few CNDDB records,
which report individuals numbering from three to around 20 to 58
(CDFG 2012a). It has been referred to as a “frequent shrub on scree
slopes and washes” (CDFG 2012a). Others mention the plants are
“scattered” in a wash (CDFG 2012a). The total acreage of all CNDDB
occurrences is 5,792 acres, although this includes some records that
have a large area due to uncertainty in mapping, thus likely
overstating the true occupied habitat of this species documented in
the CNDDB.
In Nevada, Amargosa beardtongue was mapped in occurrences
comprising at least 227 acres (Nevada Natural Heritage Program 2001).
Threats and Environmental Stressors
There are 11 known occurrences of Amargosa beardtongue located in
Death Valley National Park, of which 2 (EO #7 and #15) are in the
Plan Area. Threats to Amargosa beardtongue within Death Valley
National Park include the Wildrose Road Project, a road expansion
project. This species was observed during field surveys for the project
(National Park Service 2011b).
Occurrences in the Kingston Mountains (EO #2 through #6 and #12)
are likely threatened by cattle use, mine tailings, off-highway vehicle
use, trash, and human activity/trampling (CDFG 2012a). Because
many of the occurrences are located in flat, accessible washes, they
6
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
potentially are more threatened by off-highway vehicle use and
human trampling than plants occurring in less accessible areas, such
as on steep slopes or in rock crevices.
The Center for Plant Conservation (2011) reports that habitat
fragmentation, habitat degradation, and over-grazing are threats to
this species. As described previously, Amargosa beardtongue
locations overlap with a small portion of the Plan Area, a fact that
could pose a significant threat to the species if development pressure
occurs in this area.
In addition, any threats to bees or other potential pollinators would
be considered threats to this species.
Conservation and Management Activities
The BLM manages sensitive plant species occurring on land it
administers, including on lands where Amargosa beardtongue have
been documented. Management priorities are consistent with the
BLM’s principles of multiple use and include, but are not limited to:
developing and implementing range-wide and/or site-specific
management plans for sensitive plant species that include specific
habitat and population management objectives designed for recovery;
ensuring that BLM activities affecting the habitat of sensitive plant
species are carried out in a manner consistent with the objectives for
managing those species; and monitoring populations and habitats of
candidate plant species to determine whether management objectives
are being met (BLM 2003).
According to the Center for Plant Conservation (2011), plans to
modify grazing practices in sensitive areas would aid in conserving
this species, although it is unclear if they are referencing specific
grazing management plans under development or referring to future
management needs.
Data Characterization
There are considerable data gaps for this species. There is a limited
amount of information on microhabitat requirements (e.g., soil types,
why it is found within washes, and how alluvial processes affect the
7
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
plant), reproductive processes (e.g., requirements for seed
germination, how long seeds remain viable in the soil, etc.), and
interactions with climatic forces (e.g., how long plants can survive
dormancy, what rainfall amounts are required for plants to set seeds,
etc.). Finally, it is unclear how propagation of this species is best
conducted—if through transplantation, cuttings, or spreading seed.
These data could assist with establishing conservation priorities for
this species.
Management and Monitoring Considerations
Species protection activities should focus on the 11 CNDDB
occurrences known to occur in the Plan Area (CDFG 2012a), as well as
modeled habitat. Because information on the abundance and
distribution of Amargosa beardtongue in California is limited, focused
surveys for this species should be conducted within appropriate
habitat in the Plan Area.
Predicted Species Distribution in Plan Area
There are approximately 1,545,068 acres of modeled suitable habitat
for Amargosa beardtongue in the Plan Area. Modeled suitable habitat
occurs in the Amargosa Desert-Pahrump Valley, Funeral MountainsGreenwater Valley, and Kingston Range-Valley Wells ecoregion
subsections, from 1,100 to 6,200 feet. Modeled suitable habitat
comprises desert scrub and pinyon-juniper woodland vegetation
types with sandy or gravelly substrates. Appendix C includes specific
model parameters and a figure showing the modeled suitable habitat
in the Plan Area.
Literature Cited
Baldwin, B.G., S. Boyd, B. Ertter, R.W. Patterson, T.J. Rosatti, and D.H.
Wilken. 2002. The Jepson Desert Manual. Berkeley and Los
Angeles, California: University of California Press.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management). 2011. “Death Valley Beardtongue
(Penstemon Fruticiformis var. Amargosae) Scrophulariaceae.”
Accessed December 3, 2011. http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/
prog/ssp/plants/penstemon_fruticiformis_amargosae.html.
8
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
BLM. 2003. “Special Status Plant Management.” BLM Manual
Supplement 6840.06. Accessed November 21, 2011.
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib//blm/ca/pdf/
pdfs/pa_pdfs/biology_pdfs.Par.428edb73.File.pdf/
6840.06-supplement.pdf.
CDFG (California Department of Fish and Game). 2012a. “Penstemon
fruticiformis var. amargosae.” Element Occurrence Query.
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). RareFind,
Version 4.0 (Commercial Subscription). Sacramento, California:
CDFG, Biogeographic Data Branch. Accessed February 2012.
CDFG. 2012b. Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List.
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). January 2012.
Accessed March 2012. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/
cnddb/plants_and_animals.asp.
CAL FIRE. 2011. “Land Ownership (2011)” [Map]. FRAP (California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Fire and Resource
Assessment Program). Accessed December 7, 2011.
http://frap.fire.ca.gov/data/frapgisdata/download.asp?spatial
dist=1&rec=ownership.
CCH (Consortium of California Herbaria). 2011. Accession results for
Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae. Accessed December 3,
2011. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium.
CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2011. “Penstemon fruticiformis
var. amargosae.” Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.
Online ed. Version 8-01a. Sacramento, California: CNPS.
Accessed December 3, 2011. http://www.cnps.org/inventory.
Center for Plant Conservation. 2011. National Collection Plant Profile
for Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae. Accessed December
4, 2011. http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/
collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=3234.
Griswold, T., S. Higbee, and O. Messinger. 2006. Pollination Ecology
Final Report 2003 Biennium Clark County, Nevada (2004–2005).
Last revised August 2011. Accessed December 3, 2011.
http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/dcp/Documents/Librar
9
Species Accounts
March 2012
DRAFT
March 2012
PLANTS
Amargosa Beardtongue (Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae)
y/dcp%20reports/2006/Pollinator%20Ecology%20USDA349%20Final%20Rpt%2020060413.pdf.
Holmgren, N. H. 1992. “A few varietal combinations in Californian
Keckiella and Penstemon (Scrophulariaceae).” Brittonia 44:
481–482.
IPNI (International Plant Names Index). 2011. “Plant Name Details:
Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae.” Accessed December 3,
2011. http://www.ipni.org.
Jepson Flora Project. 2011. “Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae.”
M. Wetherwax and N.H. Holmgren. Jepson eFlora [v. 1.0].
Berkeley, California: University of California. Accessed
December 8, 2011. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.
National Park Service. 2011a. “Wildflowers Death Valley National
Park.” Last revised February 2004. Accessed December 3,
2011. http://www.nps.gov/deva/naturescience/upload/
Wildflowers.pdf.
National Park Service. 2011b. “Environmental Assessment: Lower
Wildrose Road Rehabilitation and Repair.” Accessed December
4, 2011. http://parkplanning.nps.gov/
documentsList.cfm?parkID=297&projectID=19159.
Nevada Natural Heritage Program. 2001. “Rare Plant Fact Sheet
Penstemon fruticiformis Coville ssp. amargosae Keck Death
Valley Beardtongue.” Compiled June 25, 2001. Accessed
December 3, 2011. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/
penstfrutiamarg.pdf.
Tropicos. 2011. “Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae.” Accessed
December 3, 2011. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/
29207732.
10
Species Accounts
March 2012