Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development

MacFarlane's Four-o'clock

Mirabilis macfarlanei -- Endangered

Oregon

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:

Of the 18 known colonies of MacFarlane's four-o'clock, 4 are in Oregon. The Forest Service has prohibited grazing on MacFarlane's four-o'clock sites after March, when the plant begins to grow. Three of the four sites in Oregon are on public lands. The Forest Service was given permission by the landowner to fence the only privately owned site. 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.

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.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

In FY 1992, the State of Oregon received $8,000 for population trend studies and plant management for work done cooperatively with the Forest Service. Some monitoring work was done on private land as well.

Partnerships

Forest Service and Oregon Department of Agriculture: These agencies, one Federal and one State, have a challenge grant in place to conduct population monitoring on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Forest Service has also funded research by Boise State University on the chemical effects of cheat grass on the MacFarlane's four-o'clock. The Fish and Wildlife Service assisted in the research design of the project.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 3/27/85.