Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development

MacFarlane's Four-o'clock

Mirabilis macfarlanei -- Endangered

Idaho

Current Status:

The number of known individuals rangewide has increased from about 30 plants when listed in 1979 to about 2,300 plants in 1991. Although drought has resulted in smaller plants, as well as fewer flowers and seeds, four-o'clock colonies do not show major declines. Livestock overgrazing and the weedy invasion of exotic plants it encourages continue to be a problem. Pressure from collectors exists also, especially from those interested in introducing the species into "wild gardens." Indiscriminate herbicide spraying is a threat to plants growing near roadsides.

Achievements:

Fourteen of the 18 known four-o'clock colonies occur in Idaho, where grazing has been reduced or eliminated on the public lands occupied by this plant. In addition, grazing that could impact one of the largest colonies on private land has been voluntarily reduced by the landowner to help conserve the wildflower. The discovery of additional colonies on public lands, better grazing management, and the stability of existing colonies have reduced threats to this species rangewide. As a result, the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering reclassifying the species from endangered to threatened. In addition, habitat management plans have been implemented for three four-o'clock populations on Bureau of Land Management lands. The Fish and Wildlife Service is coordinating with the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service on recovery strategies.

Current Recovery Needs:

Recovery needs include continued searches for new populations, population monitoring, habitat protection, and further studies on the effects of exotic plant invasions, the impacts of grazing, and the plant's reproductive cycle.

Partnerships

Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service: Actions taken by these Federal agencies under the recovery plan have led to the Service considering reclassifying MacFarlane's four-o'clock from endangered to threatened. The Bureau of Land Management has implemented habitat management plans to conserve plant colonies on its lands, including an experimental transplant site.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game: The Department maintains recovery activity records in its Conservation Data Center.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 3/27/85.