Iliamna corei

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Iliamna corei
Iliamna corei.jpg
Status TNC G1.svg
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Iliamna
Species:
I. corei
Binomial name
Iliamna corei

Iliamna corei is a rare species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Peters Mountain mallow. It is endemic to Virginia in the United States, where it is known only from Peters Mountain in Giles County. A single occurrence remains. This is a federally listed endangered species. It is considered "one of the rarest native plants in the United States." [1] [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

Iliamna corei is a part of the Malvaceae family and is one of the only eight species in the Iliamna genus. The plant is also one out of the only two species found in the eastern region of the United States. [3] [2] This plant is also closely related to Iliamna remota, also known as the streambank wild hollyhock or the Kankakee mallow. [4] [5]  

This species has sometimes been included within the description of Iliamna remota , but genetic analysis suggests it be maintained as a species in its own right. [6]

The similarities between the two species have made it challenging to determine whether they are distinct species or variations of the same species. However, genetic testing has revealed that Iliamna corei is to be considered its own species, rather than a population of Iliamna remota. Furthermore, the two species are isolated from each other, further supporting the classification of Iliamna corei as a separate species. [7] [8]

Description

This plant is a perennial herb producing an erect stem up to 1.5 meters tall and bearing pink flowers. [9] The leaves are divided into wide, pointed lobes and the herbage is hairy. The leaves are approximately 5-10 cm wide and have serrated leaf margins.

The species is able to produce 15 to 20 odorless flowers during its blooming season. Its blooming season is from late June to August. The whole flower is in general about 2 inches in diameter. The flowers of Iliamna corei have about five obovate and asymmetric petals that are nearly 2.5 cm long and have colors ranging from pale pink to deep rose.

Iliamna corei produces schizocarps, which contain seeds that disperse once the schizocarps are dry. The seeds are about 12 mm in diameter, and they contain about 2-3 dark brown, puberulent seeds that are about 2.5 mm in length. [10] [11]

Habitat and distribution

There is one small population of this plant located on Peters Mountain in western Virginia. In 1990, this population contained only three [1] or four individuals. [12] The plants grow on nooks in a sandstone outcrop that have accumulated a small amount of soil. [9] The population is so small that remaining individuals are inbred. [1] Conservation efforts are focused on increasing the plant's numbers to improve genetic diversity. [1]

It grows at an altitude of around 3000 feet above sea level. This plant species is found near the ridgeline of the mountain known as the Narrows, specifically on Peters Mountain in Giles County. [11] [13]

The surrounding vegetation where Iliamna corei is found is characterized by oak-dominated forests, along with other hardwood and pine trees. These plants have adapted to thrive in dry soil due to their ecological niche, as they are unable to compete with less fire-tolerant hardwood species. This ecological adaptation has led to their preference for these dry soil environments as their primary habitat. [11]  

The Iliamna corei was known as a food source for animals such as deer and usually are competing with plants such as the Canadian leaf-cup (Polymnia canadensis) in their habitat. [11]

Conservation efforts

The Iliamna corei (Iliamna corei (Sherff) Sherff.), is a plant species that is endemic to Peters Mountain, located in Giles County, Virginia. [14]

This critically endangered plant was first discovered in 1927, with an initial population of only 50 plants. Over time, the population has declined, and by 1992, only 3 specimens of Iliamna corei were believed to be left in the area, leading to concerns about inbreeding due to the small population size. [11] [15]

The Iliamna corei is classified as critically endangered due to its limited habitat distribution. The species is located approximately 3,000 feet above sea, level which contributes to the endemic nature of the plant to Peters Moutain. [15] Human activity has been identified as a major threat to the survival of this species. To address the issue of low populations, cross-pollination techniques are being used to facilitate reproduction and increase the population of Iliamna corei. Additionally, prescribed burns are being employed to create suitable conditions for the species to thrive. [11]

Efforts to conserve and protect the Iliamna corei are being undertaken by the Center for Plant Conservation, which has included the species in its National Collection of Endangered Plants. These conservation efforts are crucial in ensuring the survival of Iliamna corei. [10]

In 1986, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy jointly provided funding to support a research program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI & SU). The primary aim of the program was to comprehensively investigate and gather essential information necessary for the recovery of the Iliamna corei. The dedicated team of botanists embarked on a series of experiments to identify the key factors limiting the population of Iliamna corei. Their research aimed to uncover the environmental elements that restrict the growth and spread of this plant species.

In 1990, a team of researchers at the University of Kentucky made a significant discovery related to the germination of Iliamna corei seeds. Types of findings revealed that the germination of these seeds is specifically prompted by fire. This discovery emphasized the importance of ongoing research efforts and useful practical information that has potential implications for conservation and ecological management. [4]

This plant is dependent on wildfire. Its seeds require scarification in order to germinate. This is naturally accomplished during fires, when the heat breaks the tough outer layer of the seed. When plants are propagated by hand, the seeds must be scarified by nicking the outer surface with a blade or soaking them in acid or boiling water. [12] A conservation plan for the species will include establishing a normal fire regime for the habitat. [12]

Since around 2001-2004 dedicated conservation efforts have been made for the Iliamna corei. The Nature Conservancy of Virginia got involved by purchasing a 398-acre piece of land, now known as the Narrows Preserve, to protect the habitat of this species. Within the preserve, various strategies have been implemented to support the population, including the use of plant cages to reduce herbivore impact, thinning the overstory, and implementing prescribed burns. These efforts were considered necessary due to evidence suggesting a lack of natural wildfires in the area. This unique adaptation suggests that the species has evolved to rely on occasional wildfires for successful reproduction and population growth. [8]

Research indicates that prescribed burns carried out at a frequency of every 2.2 years can significantly enhance the germination and growth of Iliamna corei seeds. This finding underscores the importance of carefully managed fire regimes in maintaining the health and sustainability of this species' habitat. [11]

Iliamna corei is not listed on the ICUN Red List. [16]

Seed banking is being considered as a crucial step in the conservation of Iliamna corei. Institutions such as the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia's Blandy Experimental Farm are actively involved in exploring seed banking as a conservation strategy for this species. [15]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Iliamna corei. Archived 2010-12-15 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
  2. 1 2 "Iliamna corei in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  3. ↑ Hoss, Jennifer A.; Lafon, Charles W.; Grissino-Mayer, Henri D.; Aldrich, Serena R.; DeWeese, Georgina G. (September 2008). "Fire History of a Temperate Forest with an Endemic Fire-Dependent Herb". Physical Geography. 29 (5): 424–441. Bibcode:2008PhGeo..29..424H. doi:10.2747/0272-3646.29.5.424. ISSN   0272-3646.
  4. 1 2 Williams, Charles E.; Wieboldt, Thomas F.; Porter, Duncan M. (1992). "Recovery of the Endangered Peters Mountain Mallow, Iliamna corei". Natural Areas Journal. 12 (2): 106–107. ISSN   0885-8608. JSTOR   43911276.
  5. ↑ "Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  6. ↑ Bodo Slotta, T. A. and D. M. Porter (2006). Genetic variation within and between Iliamna corei and I. remota (Malvaceae): implications for species delimitation. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 151:3 345.
  7. ↑ "Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  8. 1 2 Baskin, J. M.; Baskin, C. C. "Methods of breaking seed dormancy in the endangered species Iliamna corei (Sherff) Sherff (Malvaceae), with special attention to heating".
  9. 1 2 Iliamna corei. NatureServe Explorer.
  10. 1 2 "Iliamna corei | International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Peter's Mountain Mallow" (PDF).
  12. 1 2 3 USFWS. Iliamna corei Five-year Review. October 2008.
  13. ↑ "Iliamna corei (Sherff) Sherff". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  14. ↑ "Iliamna corei in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  15. 1 2 3 "Iliamna corei (Peters Mountain Mallow) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  16. ↑ "ICUN Red List" . Retrieved December 8, 2024.


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