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Local Species Information - Yreka Phlox (Phlox hirsuta)
Yreka phlox, Phlox hirsuta. Photo by Nadine Kanim.
General Information Status: Federally listed as Endangered Date Listed: Listed on February 3, 2000 Critical Habitat: Not designated Recovery Plan: Recovery Plan finalized on September 21, 2006 5-year Status Review: Last 5-year status review completed on September 24, 2007
Natural History
Background Edward L. Greene, a priest at what is now named St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Yreka, California, is attributed with the first documented collection of Yreka phlox. Since that collection in 1876, Yreka phlox have only been identified in five locations, all in the vicinity of Yreka, and all characterized by a certain group of soils, called serpentine. The known distribution of Yreka phlox covers a combined area of approximately 665 acres with the number of plants at each location ranging from 200 to 10,000. Given the limited distribution of Yreka phlox, risks to this species include loss of habitat, illegal collection, increased presence of non-native plants, herbicide use, grazing, and wildfire. Identifying Characteristics
Description: Yreka phlox is a perennial (growing for more than one season) flowering plant which grows at elevations of 2,800 to 4,400 feet. Plants reach a height of up to 6 inches with stems and leaves that are covered in fine hairs. Flowers are bright pink and measure 0.5 to 0.6 inches across. The petals of Yreka phlox are rounded, not notched. Blooms are typically visible from March to June.
Look-a-like plants: Showy Phlox (Phlox speciosa) Showy phlox grow adjacent to and resemble Yreka phlox in overall plant shape and flower color. Unlike Yreka phlox, showy phlox have notched petals. Showy phlox occurs on both serpentine and non-serpentine soills. Showy Phlox. Photo by Gary Monroe, USDA-NRCS
Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa)
Spreading phlox generally occurs at higher elevations than Yreka phlox. The overall plant shape is lower and denser than Yreka phlox. Flower color is commonly white, but can vary from deep pink to blue. While the stems and leaves of spreading phlox are hairy, they are not as hairy as Yreka phlox. Petals of spreading phlox are not notched.
Spreading phlox. Photo by Susan McDougall, USDA-NRCS
Tufted Phlox (Phlox cespitosa) Tufted phlox is a low growing plant with pale purple, pink, or white flowers. The hairs on the stems and leaves of tufted phlox end in a glandular structure that is absent on Yreka phlox. The leaves of tufted phlox are narrow with a prickly, needle-like tip. Petals of tufted phlox are not notched.
Cold-desert Phlox (Phlox stansburyi) Cold-desert phlox resembles the plant form and flower color of Yreka phlox, though it is not as compact nor as hairy as Yreka phlox. Geographically, cold-desert phlox is most common east of the Sierra-Cascade crest in California. Petals of cold-desert phlox are not notched.
Cold-desert phlox. Photo by © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College Northern Phlox (Phlox adsurgens) Northern phlox generally occurs at higher elevations than Yreka phlox. Unlike Yreka phlox, northern phlox are not hairy, leaves are broad, and flowers occur on long stalks. Petals of northern phlox are not notched.
Geographic Range The range of Yreka phlox is limited to the vicinity of Yreka, in northern California.
Habitat Yreka phlox grows at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,400 feet. Yreka phlox grows only on serpentine soils, which contain high concentrations of magnesium and iron. Serpentine soils are identified by red colored rocks due to high levels of iron or by green rocks due the high levels of magnesium. These soils do not allow for the growth of many other plant species due high levels of magnesium and nickel and low calcium, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium levels.
Serpentine soils with Yreka phlox in bloom.
Photo by Nadine Kanim., USFWS. Current Information A list of literature pertaining to Yreka phlox is available here. Additional literature citations will be added to this list as they become available. Conservation Actions Habitat Conservation Plan There are no Habitat Conservation Plans for the Yreka phlox. For more information on Habitat Conservation Plans, click here Safe Harbor Agreement There are no Safe Harbor Agreements for the Yreka phlox. For more information on Safe Harbor Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements There are no Candidate Conservation Agreements for the Yreka phlox. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances There are no Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances for the Yreka phlox. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, click here. Links for More Information National U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Yreka Phlox Species Profile Federal Register Notices & Documents Survey Protocols: Guidelines for Reporting and Conducting Botanical Inventories and General Rare Plant Survey Guidelines Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office Yreka Phlox Monitoring Project Maps |
