Search / Plant Profile / Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii

Plant Profile

Jones' Cycladenia (Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii)

This picture shows two plants, closeup, including lovely pink flowers. Photo Credit: ©R. Delmatier

Global Rank: T3 - Vulnerable
Legal Status: Federally Threatened
Family: Apocynaceae
State: AZ, UT
Nature Serve ID: 129973
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/09/1992

Description:

This federally threatened species is threatened by off-road vehicle activity, as well as the presence of mining claims and oil and gas leases on or adjacent to known locations of this plant. (State of Utah Natural Resources 2002) Jones' cycladenia is a long-lived perennial herb that grows to only 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall. Though tiny, it produces beautiful pinkish-rose flowers from mid-April to early June. Leaves are round and somewhat succulent. This species is well adapted to its habitat of mixed desert shrubs by overwintering as belowground rhizomes (roots). (Arizona Ecological Services 2002; State of Utah Natural Resources 2002)

Where is Jones' Cycladenia (Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species exists on salt clay and gypsum soils derived from the Chinle, Cutler and Summerville formations at elevations between 4,400 and 6,000 feet elevation.Communities where this species is found include mixed desert scrub, juniper, or wild buckwheat-Mormon tea. (Arizona Ecological Services 2002)

Distribution:

Found in the Canyonlands region of Utah in four counties, as well as in adjacent Coconino county, Arizona. (Arizona Ecological Services 2002)

States & Provinces:

Jones' Cycladenia can be found in Arizona, Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Jones' Cycladenia (Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii)?

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

Conservation Actions

Tina Stanley

01/08/2024

Red Butte Garden has sent at least 590 wild-collected seeds of Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii to the USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation for long term storage.

Tina Stanley

01/08/2024

Between 2005 and 2008, Red Butte Garden staff made 5 wild seed collections representing more than 1,100 seeds from 99 individuals of Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii. Over 490 of these seeds are held in long term storage at Red Butte Garden.

10/17/2020

Genetic and ecological studies to estimate clone size in order to accurately determine overall population size. (Sipes et al. 1997)

10/17/2020

Genetic and ecological studies to estimate clone size in order to accurately determine overall population size. (Sipes et al. 1997)

10/17/2020

.In vitro propagation protocols have been developed at CREW for this species. Cultures can be initiated either from seedling shoots or shoots taken from plants growing in situ. Preliminary studies on seed germination have been conducted, and conditions for normal growth in vitro are being studied. Rooted shoots have been produced in vitro, and research is underway to improve the low survival during acclimatization. A protocol for shoot tip cryopreservation has also been developed, using droplet vitrification (Pence et al., 2017).

10/17/2020

Tissue culture lines of this species are being maintained and studied at CREW. Shoot tips have been cryopreserved and are being held in long-term storage in liquid nitrogen in CREW's CryoBioBank. In vitro propagation protocols have been developed at CREW for this species. Cultures can be initiated either from seedling shoots or shoots taken from plants growing in situ. Preliminary studies on seed germination have been conducted, and conditions for normal growth in vitro are being studied. Rooted shoots have been produced in vitro, and research is underway to improve the low survival during acclimatization. A protocol for shoot tip cryopreservation has also been developed, using droplet vitrification (Pence et al., 2017).

10/17/2020

Valerie Pence

01/08/2018

In vitro propagation protocols have been developed at CREW for this species. Cultures can be initiated either from seedling shoots or shoots taken from plants growing in situ. Preliminary studies on seed germination have been conducted, and conditions for normal growth in vitro are being studied. Rooted shoots have been produced in vitro, and research is underway to improve the low survival during acclimatization. A protocol for shoot tip cryopreservation has also been developed, using droplet vitrification (Pence et al., 2017).

Valerie Pence

01/08/2018

Tissue culture lines of this species are being maintained and studied at CREW. Shoot tips have been cryopreserved and are being held in long-term storage in liquid nitrogen in CREW's CryoBioBank.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known from a few areas in and around the Canyonlands region of southeastern Utah and in northern Arizona. Some sites are separated by over 160 km; most are threatened by impacts from mineral and oil and gas exploration, and/or habitat damage from off-road vehicles. This species has very exacting soil requirements, and also has low fruit set.

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

Oil and mineral exploration Mining and tar sands development Global warming Mountain bike and off-road vehicle use One population threatened by natural erosion

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

There are four known locations in Utah (Grand, Emery, Kane and Garfield Counties) and one population in Coconino County, Arizona. (Arizona Ecological Services 2002).

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

Genetic and ecological studies to estimate clone size in order to accurately determine overall population size. (Sipes et al. 1997)

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

In Utah, this species occurs on Bureau of Land Management land.

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

Developing reliable ways to estimate population size and examine the degree of inbreeding the possible reasons as to the low success of sexual reproduction. Determine if the variety jonesii should be categorized as a separate species. ORV use and other threats must be monitored.

Sylvia Torti

01/01/2010

The seeds of this species are difficult to germinate. Plants have extremely low seed viability. Ex situ work should focus on vegetative propagation.