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Plant Profile

Harper's Beauty (Harperocallis flava)

A closeup view of the yellow star-shaped flower of Harpers beauty. Photo Credit: © Billy B. Boothe

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Liliaceae
State: FL
Nature Serve ID: 154865
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/09/1992

Description:

When not flowering, Harperocallis flava, or Harper's beauty, appears very grass like, and can easily be overlooked. The leaves of the rhizomatous, perennial herb are stiff and grassy, 5 to 21 cm tall. However, when this plant flowers, you know why its known as Harper's beauty. This plant's flower is typical of plants in the lily family with 6 petals, 6 stamens, and superior ovary. Each plant bears a single yellow flower, which distinguishes it from all other members of the family in the area, on a stalk much longer than the leaves. The petals are 9 to 15 mm long, spreading when the plant is in flower, erect when if fruit. The petals become green when the plant is in fruit. Harper's beauty flowers from mid-April through May and fruits are mature in July (USFWS 1991)

Where is Harper's Beauty (Harperocallis flava) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Harper's beauty occurs in wet prairies, seepage slopes, pitcherplant bogs, especially in transitions to shrub zones, and it is sometimes seen in nearby moist roadside ditches. It is found in a small area within the Apalachicola National Forest and vicinity (FNAI 2000). Harperocallis flava occurs in acidic boggy areas in full sun with soil high in sand and peat. It grows more abundantly in places where some degree of soil disturbance has prevented a grass mat from forming (NatureServe 2001).

Distribution:

Harper's beauty is endemic to Franklin and Liberty Counties in the Florida Panhandle. It occurs is a small area within the Apalachicola National Forest and vicinity where 15 small populations are kno

States & Provinces:

Harper's Beauty can be found in Florida

Which CPC Partners conserve Harper's Beauty (Harperocallis flava)?

Bok Tower Gardens

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

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

Tina Stanley

05/11/2023

According to a March 2023 extract of the Florida Plant Rescue Database, Bok Tower Gardens holds 5 accessions of Harperocallis flava totalling approximately 836 seeds representing at least 4 maternal lines.

09/15/2020

Godt et al. (1997) examined the genetic diversity in two populations of this endangered lily and found no discernable genetic variation between or among the populations.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to Franklin, Liberty and Bay (population discovered in 2003) counties in the panhandle of Florida and restricted to open, boggy habitats. Possibly because of the exclusion of periodic fire from much of this region, some of the populations are restricted to the shoulders of a single highway, where competitive shrubs have been eliminated. The total population was estimated at 6000 plants in 1983 by Leonard and Baker. Since then many populations have declined and a number of studies examining the environmental factors that have the greatest influence on the species postulate that precipitation and competition for nutrients may be the most influential. Lack of fire and other disturbance is another possible reason for decline, but in one study where one of the populations was burned, a decline was also observed.

While there are 8 occurrences that are ranked with good viability, this species' intrinsic vulnerability is quite high. Genetic studies revealed that of all of the genetic loci examined, there was no genetic variability detected, which suggests this species is, from a genetic perspective, at a high risk for extinction. In addition, there are other developmental abnormalities that have been observed within the species that suggest genetic instability. Given the very small distribution, the decline in the recent past, the genetic constraints and the anthropogenic threats, this species' future is precarious.

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

A very limited range and small population number. Land management practices. Vandalism. Overcollecting. (USFWS 1991) Fires suppression. Soil and hydrological disturbances. Mowing and herbicide use in road rights-of-way. (FNAI 2000)

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Harperocalis flava has been found at three locations, all within the Apalachicola National Forest, approximately 19 miles apart along SP-65 in Franklin and Liberty Counties, Florida. These locations are within 0.3 miles of each other in Franklin County, while a third site is about 19 miles north in Liberty County, although attempts to relocated this site have been unsuccessful. It is estimated that the plant population is several thousand plants (USFWS 1991).

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Godt et al. (1997) examined the genetic diversity in two populations of this endangered lily and found no discernable genetic variation between or among the populations.

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

U.S. Forest Services has a new draft management guide for this species, and currently manages the two Franklin County locations. Periodic controlled burns are performed to open habitat. Enforcement of regulations for protection of threatened, endangered, rare, or unique species. (USFWS 1991)

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Foster continued cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and Florida DOT to maintain appropriate mowing schedule for roadside populations. Monitor known populations. Search for any additional populations. Restore the bog habitat that this species occurs in through prescribed burning. Prevent damage by off-road vehicles.

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Continue to monitor potential genetic diversity within and among populations, and encourage the conservation of any that is found.