Coast Range Fawnlily / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Coast Range Fawnlily (Erythronium elegans)

Erythronium elegans in full bloom. Photo Credit: W. Bluhm
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Liliaceae
  • State: OR
  • Nature Serve ID: 129526
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/01/1990
Description:

Erythronium elegans presents something of a paradox. It is a geographically highly restricted, very rare plant, that also an ecological generalist. It has been found growing in only five localities, all in the northern Coast Range of Oregon. Even within particular populations, they can be found growing quite contentedly in a wide variety of habitats: from bare soil to completely vegetated ground; in either full sun or deep shade; growing in dry shale road cuts and saturated Sphagnum moss. Without careful management, the elegant fawn lily may one day be found nowhere. With such a low number of populations, the species is susceptible to extinction due to habitat destruction and random events. The species is listed as Threatened by the State of Oregon, but all populations are found on Federal or private land, and consequently, there is no real legal protection. Presently, the US Fish and Wildlife Service recognize this species as a "Species of Concern". If the coast-range fawn lily were to receive listing under the Endangered Species Act, four populations would fall under jurisdiction of the federal government, since they are located on federal land. Listing is especially critical since two of the most recently discovered populations are either in or adjacent to potential timber sales on federal land (Guerrant 1999). The Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Native Plant Society are presently monitoring the remaining population on private land.

Where is Coast Range Fawnlily (Erythronium elegans) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Northern Coast Range in Oregon, in open meadows, rocky cliffs, brushland, open to closed canopy coniferous forests, and edges of sphagnum bogs (Grenier 1991).

Distribution:

OR: Coast Range

States & Provinces:

Coast Range Fawnlily can be found in Oregon

Which CPC Partners conserve Coast Range Fawnlily (Erythronium elegans)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

  • 09/10/2020
  • Demographic Research

A six-year demography study compared population growth between one presumably healthy population and a population believed to be in decline. Each population was subdivided into two focal populations, and analysis showed that one focal population was growing vigorously, one was in serious decline, and the remaining two populations were stable (Guerrant 1999).

  • 09/10/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Seed from 3 of the 5 populations stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

  • 09/10/2020
  • Seed Collection

Seed from 3 of the 5 populations stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

Endemic to high elevation peaks in the northern Coast Range of Oregon, Erythronium elegans is known from approximately 12 extant occurrences. Just two occurrences are on lands managed solely or primarily for conservation purposes, although a few others are on Federal lands on which the species is designated Sensitive. Approximately 9,000-15,000 individuals are known. Habitat disturbance from logging is a threat at some sites. Other relatively low-level threats include road construction, recreation, collection, elk herbivory, and habitat degradation due to Douglas fir blight. The species appears to be somewhat of a poor competitor that does best in sites with a sparse herbaceous layer, although it seems to be less specific in its canopy cover and soil moisture requirements. It is unknown whether E. elegans has always been rare, or has declined from historical levels.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Plant and habitat destruction due to logging. Herbivory and grazing. Fungal infection (Guerrant 1999). Plant collection for horticultural purposes.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

5 populations. Four are on federal land, and one is privately owned but monitored by The Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Native Plant Society (Guerrant 1992). Population sizes range ""100's in flower"", ""100-1000"", ""300"", to ""thousands."" This large population numbering in the ""thousands"" contains 95% of the total number of individuals (ONHP 2000).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

A six-year demography study compared population growth between one presumably healthy population and a population believed to be in decline. Each population was subdivided into two focal populations, and analysis showed that one focal population was growing vigorously, one was in serious decline, and the remaining two populations were stable (Guerrant 1999).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Seed from 3 of the 5 populations stored at The Berry Botanic Garden. Listed as Threatened by the State of Oregon. Monitoring is being conducted by the Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Native Plant Society at the one population located on private land.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Initiate a comprehensive, highly detailed, GIS based inventory of the extent and density of E. elegans, including data on stage distribution and microhabitat types (Guerrant 1999). Establish a long-term monitoring scheme that is more extensive and less labor intensive than a demographic study (Guerrant 1999). Ensure that management actions for other species (e.g.: mowing or burning to maintain habitat for Viola adunca, larval food plant for Oregon silverspot butterfly) do not adversely affect E. elegans (Guerrant 1999). Monitor elk populations in order to make informed management decisions concerning herbivory (Guerrant1999). Monitor Douglas Fir blight as it could adversely affect E. elegans (Guerrant 1999). If possible, determine whether Erythronium elegans was once more common and widespread. Are the low population numbers due to human-caused disturbances (i.e.. habitat destruction) or have population numbers always been low (i.e.. narrow endemic) Study the gene flow between populations. Determine if inbreeding or high clonality of the populations is a threat to the species' continued survival. Determine what light levels/canopy cover is best for vigorous growth and manage the land to increase or maintain suitable habitat.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.
  • 01/01/2010

Collect and store seeds from across the species range. Determine germination requirements. Determine effective propagation and re-introduction protocols.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Erythronium elegans
Authority Hammond and Chambers
Family Liliaceae
CPC Number 1839
ITIS 196371
USDA EREL13
Duration Perennial
Common Names Coast Range fawn-lily | Coast Range trout-lily | dog-tooth violet | elegant fawn-lily | elegant trout-lily | Coast Range fawnlily
Associated Scientific Names Erythronium elegans
Distribution OR: Coast Range
State Rank
State State Rank
Oregon S2
Ecological Relationships

Photos
Pollinators
Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
Bees
Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
Bumble bees Bumble bees Confirmed Pollinator Link

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