There are four plants native to Crater Lake National park that are considered rare, threatened or endangered in Oregon, according to lists maintained by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Oregon Natural Heritage Program. Only two species, (Botrychium pumicola and Collomia mazama) have federal status. The following provides a brief summary of each of these four plants.

Botrychium pumicola (pumice grapefern)
Federal status (Federal Endangered Species Act): species of concern, additional information is needed to support listing as threatened or endangered
State status (Oregon Endangered Species Act): listed as threatened
Site locations: summit of Llao Rock; summit of Cloudcap Mtn.
Description: The pumice grapefern is a small perennial fern belonging to the adder's-tongue family (Ophioglossaceae). It is a stout and fleshy plant which stands 2.5 to 3.5 cm above the substrate. The plant normally has 1 to 3 fronds (leaves) which are pinnately divided into numerous fan-shaped lobes. The name grapefern comes from the clustered arrangement of rounded yellow sporangia (spore cases) situated on the fertile frond. The species is endemic to a raw pumice-gravel substrates which are subject to harsh climatic extremes (intense sunlight, dessicating winds, cold nights, etc.). Because of the peculiar conditions of this habitat, this plant is more desert-like as opposed to the alpine-arctic spceies found in similar high altitude locations.

Collomia mazama (Mt. Mazama collomia)
Federal status: Species of concern, additional information is needed to support listing as threatened or endangered
State status: none
Site locations: N of Sphagnum Bog; along Pacific Crest Trail and Dutton Creek; scattered open woods and meadows of the lodgepole pine and true fir forest zones along the west-side of park. Description: Mt. Mazama collomia is a perennial, herbaceous species ranging from 10.5 to 30 cm tall, with broadly lanceolate leaves having distinctive irregular toothing towards the apex. Flowers are contained in terminal head-like cymes, having funnnelform shaped corollas which are lilac, bright purple, deep blue, or violet coloration. C. mazama inhabits high elevation (4800'-6300') forest-meadow ecotones in the red fir/mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine forest zones and occasionally along riparian areas.

Arnica vicosa (Shasta arnica)
Federal status: none
State status: none
Oregon Natural Heritage Program (ONHP) status: imperiled in Oregon but more common or stable elsewhere
Site Locations: dry talus slopes of rim, often with eastern aspect
Description: Shasta arnica is a perrenial, herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower family (asteraceae). It ranges from 20 to 50 cm in height and has a composite head consisting of numerous yellow ray flowers and whitish brown disk flowers. Leaves are entirely smooth and 3-5 veined. Uncommon in open sunny slopes of N CA and SW Oregon.

Carex crafordii (Crawford's sedge)
Federal status: none
State status: none
ONHP status: more information is neded to determine status, but may be threatened or endangered in Oregon or throughout range.
Site Locations: scattered across seasonally-moist, sunny ground, pond shores, low elevations on west side of park.
Description: Perrenial, rhizomatous plant belonging to the sedge (Cyperaceae) family. Plant consists of several parallel veined, sharply 3-angled solid stems. Flowers are non-conspicuous spikelets, several to many per stem, arrayed in clusters.

Author: Mary Rasmussen
Date: 12/9/97 4:23 PM