The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 3,300 acres as critical habitat for Braunton's milk-vetch in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties, and 3,396 acres for Lyon's pentachaeta in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Both plants are listed as endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act that refers to geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations or protection.
The critical habitat for both plants is found on private lands, in city and regional parks, and on federal lands in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. On state property, critical habitat for Braunton's milk-vetch is in Topanga State Park, Chino Hills State Park, and Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve. Critical habitat for Lyon's pentachaeta is on State lands in Malibu Creek State Park.
Critical habitat for the two plants was designated in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. Today's announcement is in compliance with a July 2003 court order. Copies of the proposal and other materials can be downloaded from http://www.fws.gov/ventura under News Room.
Braunton's milk-vetch is a perennial herb in the pea family that may reach heights of up to five feet, one of the largest in the genus. Lyon's pentachaeta, an annual herb in the sunflower family, has small golden daisy-like flowers on a slender stalk. Both plants were listed as endangered species in January 1997, and a recovery plan for the plants was published in 1999. The greatest threat to both species is altered or lost habitat.
Native plants are important for their ecological, economic, and aesthetic values. Plants play an important role in development of crops that resist disease, insects, and drought. At least 25 percent of prescription drugs contain ingredients derived from plant compounds, including medicine to treat cancer, heart disease, juvenile leukemia, and malaria, and to assist in organ transplants. Plants are also used to develop natural pesticides.
In the absence of federal involvement, the ESA does not provide any greater protection to listed plants on private lands than they already receive under state law. The ESA also does not prohibit "take" of listed plants on private lands, but landowners must still comply with state laws protecting imperiled plants. California landowners who may have these plants on their property are encouraged to contact the state Department of Fish and Game for further guidance.
