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Plant Profile

Smooth Stickleaf (Mentzelia mollis)

Numerous Mentzelia mollis plants emerging from the unusual grey-green soil characteristic of its habitat. Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Agriculture

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Loasaceae
State: ID, NV, OR
Nature Serve ID: 140410
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/01/1990

Description:

The last extensive search for Mentzelia mollis (Smithman 1989) yielded good news: botanists found high population numbers. However, because it is an annual, it is susceptible to dramatic population fluctuations. For instance, the spring of 2001 was extremely dry and few, if any seedlings emerged that year (Findley 2001a). Depending on the viability of the soil seed bank, several years of low rainfall could be extremely detrimental to the population's long-term survival. In an effort to protect this rare plant from destruction, an enclosure was erected around a large population of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to exclude cattle, off-road-vehicles, and hikers. Signs were posted requesting that the exclosure not be entered due to the unusual soils and rare plants, and informational brochures were placed in a box along the fence. As is often the case when protecting rare species, publicity can be a double- or even triple-edged sword. For those who are interested in the environment and in protecting it, the publicity surrounding a rare or endangered species invites learning and discovery. Publicity may also attract the attention of curious people who may, inadvertently, cause harm to the very plants they are interested in. In the case of Mentzelia mollis, it is common to see human footprints in the fragile "popcorn clay" within the enclosure. Perhaps they are merely curious, but their curiosity can be damaging to these rare plants, especially in years of low rainfall. On the more sinister side, publicity of rare and endangered species can draw unwanted attention and bring out the worst in people. Unscrupulous plant collectors may remove rare plants to sell or for their private collections. Others, who may be frustrated with the limitations and regulations enacted to protect the endangered species in general, may willfully destroy them. In the case of M. mollis, just three years after the construction of the enclosure, all but a few fence posts were removed, and the following year, all the wires were cut. On three separate occasions, signs on either end of the exclosure have been cut off or completely removed. The box containing brochures has been repeatedly filled with rocks or even stolen (Findley 2001b). Researchers and land managers must walk a fine line between protecting a rare and endangered plant and educating the public.

Where is Smooth Stickleaf (Mentzelia mollis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Grows only on dry, open, nearly barren soil comprised of clay and volcanic ash deposits with high potassium content. One type of soil is gray to green """"montmorillonite,"""" which is a puffy, powdery clay what becomes extremely slick and greasy when wet. The soil may be classified as fragile """"popcorn clay."""" Elevations range from 4360 to 5250 ft (1329-1600m). There are few other species that grow these barren substrates. Those that do include Clomella macbrideana, Phacelia lutea, Monolepis pusila, Mentzelia albiclis, and Phacelia humilis. Average temperatures in Oregon habitats range from 23F (-5C) in January to 71F (22C) in July while summer daytime temperatures may remain above 87F (32C) for six weeks. Only 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) of precipitation falls annually, most between October and April.

Distribution:

ID: Boise District BLMOR: Owyhee Uplands, Vale District BLM, NV: Humboldt County

States & Provinces:

Smooth Stickleaf can be found in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon

Which CPC Partners conserve Smooth Stickleaf (Mentzelia mollis)?

Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program

Conservation Actions

09/19/2020

Germination studies at The Berry Botanic Garden resulted in little germination. Apparently good seeds were subjected to either 8 weeks of cold stratification or no cold stratification, followed by constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50F/68F (10C/20C) temperatures. 20% germination was achieved with cold stratification and alternating temperatures. No other seeds geminated (BBG File).

09/19/2020

09/19/2020

Seeds from 1 site in Idaho and 5 sites in Oregon are stored at The Berry Botanic Garden

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to Succor Creek Formation ash/claybed outcrops of the Owyhee Desert in southeastern Oregon and adjacent southwestern Idaho, with disjunct populations in the Black Rock Desert area of northern Nevada. Many occurrences are located in areas with mining claims. Habitat degradation threats include mineral exploration, off-road vehicle recreational activity, and range improvement programs.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Off-Road-Vehicle (ORV) use (Findley 2001b). Trampling by cattle and hikers. Cattle do occasionally eat the plants, but they are prickly and probably not very palatable (Findley 2001b). Climatic fluctuations (droughts esp.) if population levels low (

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Because Mentzelia mollis is an annual, population numbers will vary year to year as a result of yearly precipitation levels and temperatures. As of 1989: Estimated 30 populations in SE Oregon and SW Idaho, ranging from 15 individuals to over 10,000 (average around 1000-2000) (Smithman 1989). As of 1994, 2 known sites in Nevada with a total estimated 450 individuals (NNHP 2001).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Undergraduates at Albertson College of Idaho, under the direction of Dr. Don Mansfield have studied the following aspects of Mentzelia mollis: 1) The germination requirements of Mentzelia mollis seeds in native soil. Results suggest that M. mollis requires at least 3 months of cold, moist stratification. The species may rely heavily on late fall and early winter rains to soak the clay in which they grow. 2) The correlation of Mentzelia mollis presence with soil clay content. The peak distribution of M. mollis corresponds to about 30% clay content. 3) Preliminary studies on mineral content of soils in which M. mollis grows. No unique mineral tolerance has been identified as of yet. Additional metals and compounds should be examined to make a final determination (Mansfield, 2001). Germination studies at The Berry Botanic Garden resulted in little germination. Apparently good seeds were subjected to either 8 weeks of cold stratification or no cold stratification, followed by constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50F/68F (10C/20C) temperatures. 20% germination was achieved with cold stratification and alternating temperatures. No other seeds geminated (BBG File).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

A one acre exclosure was constructed in 1987 to reduce the threat from trampling. The exclosure has been effective in excluding ORV use of the land. However, it has been subject to repeated vandalism (Findley 2001b). Most sites are open to livestock grazing (Findley 2001b). Seeds from 1 site in Idaho and 5 sites in Oregon are stored at The Berry Botanic Garden. Listed as Endangered by the state of Oregon.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Ban ground disturbing activities in sensitive areas (off-road vehicles (ORV's), mining, etc) (Meinke 1982). Conduct photo-monitoring as trampling by researches poses a great threat to the delicate substrate (Findley 2001b). Classify land as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) to protect it from further damage (Smithman 1989). Construct exclosures to protect Mentzelia mollis habitat from destruction (Smithman 1989). Experimentation with revegetation on selected disturbed sites (Smithman 1989). Determine pollen to ovule ratios to assess whether inbreeding or outcrossing is more common (Smithman 1989). Study reproductive processes and seed dispersal (Smithman 1989). Conduct a morphological comparison of northern and southern populations (Smithman 1989). Analysis of genetic variation within and among populations and number of ""individuals"" in and between populations could aid in management (Smithman 1989). Determine longevity of seeds in soil seed bank.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Collect and store a genetically representative sample of seeds from populations across the species' range. If possible, collect from all viable populations. Determine optimal germination requirements. Determine effective and economical reintroduction protocols.