Recovery Plan

for Five Plants from

Monterey County, California

Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk-vetch)

Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia)

Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla)

Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover)

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Gowen cypress)

Region 1

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Portland, Oregon

Approved: _________________________________________________

Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, 

Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Date: ____________________________________________
i

PRIMARY AUTHOR

This recovery plan was prepared by:

Heidi E.D. Crowell and Diane Steeck

Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Maps were prepared by Kirk Waln of the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.
ii

DISCLAIMER

Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to

recover and/or protect listed species. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, publish

recovery plans, sometimes preparing them with the assistance of recovery teams,

contractors, State agencies, and other affected and interested parties. Recovery teams

serve as independent advisors to us. Plans are reviewed by the public and submitted

to additional peer review before they are adopted by us. Objectives of the recovery

plan will be attained and necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and

other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other

priorities. Recovery plans do not obligate cooperating or other parties to undertake

specific tasks, and may not represent the views nor the official positions or approval

of any individuals or agencies involved in the recovery plan formulation, other than

our own. They represent our official position only after they have been signed by the

Director, Regional Director, or California/Nevada Operations Manager as approved. 

Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings,

changes in species status, and the completion of recovery actions.

Literature citation of this document should read as follows:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2004. Recovery Plan for Five Plants from Monterey

County, California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. xii +

159 pp.

An electronic version of this recovery plan will also be made available at

http://pacific.fws.gov/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/default.htm and

http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html
iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The following staff of the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office assisted with this

recovery plan: Anna Toline, Diane Steeck, Grace McLaughlin, and Catrina

Martin provided comments; Connie Rutherford was a valuable source for

recommendations and procedural assistance; and Marilyn Bishop assisted with

preparation of the recovery plan and all necessary documents. The following

individuals provided additional information and comments on the draft recovery

plan: Gary Wallace from the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Karene Motivans

from the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, Alison Graff, Mary Ann

Matthews, Derinda L. Messenger, Linda Smith, Deborah L. Rogers, Steve Staub,

Mark R. Stromberg, and Dr. Vern Yadon.

We extend our appreciation to the numerous individuals who, over the course of

years, have contributed to the conservation of these five threatened and

endangered plants. Further acknowledgments are extended to the various

agencies and landowners who have contributed to the preservation and

management of these species: California Department of Fish and Game, Big Sur

Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Point Lobos State Reserve, Del Monte

Forest Foundation, Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Preserve, and Pebble Beach

Company.
iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Current Species Status: This recovery plan addresses five plants that occur in

Monterey County, California. Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii,

Trifolium trichocalyx, and Potentilla hickmanii are listed as endangered, and

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is listed as threatened.

• Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk-vetch) occurs in 11 scattered

patches within 1 population separated by 17-Mile Drive on the western

edge of the Monterey Peninsula. The land is owned by the Pebble Beach

Company and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Approximately

4,000 individuals were counted within 11 patches of this 1 remaining

population during 1995. Fewer than 200 plants remained in a protective

enclosure on the west side of 17-Mile Drive in 1999 with none of these

plants flowering in 2000.

• Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia) is centrally distributed within large

undeveloped tracts of Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) forest. Its range

extends from the Los Lomos area near the Santa Cruz County border in

the north to approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of the Monterey

Peninsula near Palo Colorado Canyon, where it occurs in maritime

chaparral habitat. 

• Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla) currently occurs within

Monterey pine forest on the Monterey Peninsula, and at one site in San

Mateo County. Fewer than 40 plants were found in 1999 at the Monterey

Peninsula location. Between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals were found

during 1995 and 1996 in San Mateo County.

• Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover) is known from only one area

(Huckleberry Hill) covering approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) on

property owned by the Pebble Beach Company on the Monterey

Peninsula. During 1996, two locations in the Huckleberry Hill area with a

total of 22 plants were located.
v

• Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Gowen cypress) is currently found

in only two stands. The largest stand (Del Monte Forest) is near

Huckleberry Hill on the west side of the Monterey Peninsula and covers

approximately 40 hectares (100 acres) on lands owned by the Pebble

Beach Company and the Del Monte Forest Foundation. The second stand

(Point Lobos) occurs approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the

Huckleberry Hill stand on the north side of Gibson Creek inland of the

Point Lobos Peninsula. The property is owned by the California

Department of Parks and Recreation and is approximately 16 to 32

hectares (40 to 80 acres).

Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: All five plant taxa are found

primarily along the coast of northern Monterey County, California. Potentilla

hickmanii also occurs in San Mateo County and has historically occurred in

Sonoma County. Astragalus tener var. titi has historically occurred in both Los

Angeles and San Diego Counties.

Astragalus tener var. titi occurs on sandy soil within 30 meters (100 feet) of the

ocean surf zone. Piperia yadonii and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana occur

in Monterey pine forest and in maritime chaparral habitats. Trifolium trichocalyx

is found in openings that occur within Monterey pine forest. Potentilla hickmanii

is found in a meadow community of grasses and herbs. These five plant taxa are

threatened by one or more of the following factors: alteration, destruction, and

fragmentation of habitat resulting from urban development and recreational

activities (i.e., golf course development and ongoing maintenance, equestrian

activities, etc.); competition with nonnative plant species; herbivory from native

or nonnative species; random naturally occurring variation in population

characteristics; and disruption of natural fire cycles due to fire suppression

associated with increasing residential development around and within occupied

habitat.

Recovery Objectives: Our objective is to recover these species sufficiently to

delist Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana, and to reclassify Astragalus tener var.

titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx to threatened
vi

status. The biology of the latter four species is not yet well enough known to set

delisting as an objective of this plan.

Recovery Criteria:

Downlisting criteria for Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla

hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx are summarized below. Delisting criteria

should be provided for these species in future revisions of this recovery plan

when additional information about their biology is available.

• Provide permanent protection of habitat presently occupied by the species

and the surrounding ecosystem upon which they depend. Include longterm commitments to conserve the species and provide funding for longterm management.

• In protected habitat, provide successful control of invasive, nonnative

plants and successful management of other threats, including but not

limited to snails, deer, pedestrians, recreation, and fire suppression

activities. Management success must be demonstrated through at least 12

years (based on a 12-year weather cycle) of biological monitoring. This

amount of time (and possibly more) is needed to observe management

effectiveness, making adjustments as necessary.

• Develop management strategies based on life-history research and

quantification of species’ responses to vegetation management.

• Conduct successful reintroductions or establishment of populations of

Astragalus tener var. titi, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx.

• Conduct monitoring that demonstrates long-term viability of existing

populations, including successful recruitment and reproduction.

• Establish seed banks for the taxa at a recognized institution.

Delisting criteria for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana include:
vii

• Monitoring of both populations over at least 10 years shows long-term

reproductive success, and protected habitat is of adequate size to support

ecosystem function and allow population expansion.

• Monitoring shows successful recruitment has caused an increase in

population size in both populations.

• A prescribed burn plan or successful alternative management strategy is

implemented.

• A seed bank is established at a recognized institution.

Actions Needed:

1. Secure and protect existing populations and habitat on private or

unprotected lands through willing landowners.

2. Manage lands to control or eliminate threats to the plants and their

habitat.

3. Conduct research to document life history characteristics and plants’

responses to vegetation management.

4. Survey for additional populations and suitable habitat for

reintroduction or reestablishment and establish new populations.

5. Develop management strategies and monitor populations to determine

effectiveness of management.

6. Coordinate recovery actions with other listed species or species of

concern.

7. Develop and implement a public outreach program.

8. Reevaluate recovery criteria and revise recovery plan in the future

based on Actions 1 through 7.
viii

Recovery Costs: $1,645,000 over the next 12 years, with costs yet to be

determined for securing and protecting lands, and for assurance of successful

implementation of additional populations of Astragalus tener var. titi, Potentilla

hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx. Funding opportunities and management

would need to be developed between landowners, regulatory agencies, nonprofit

organizations, and other interested parties.

Date of Recovery: Meeting the recovery objective for Astragalus tener var. titi,

Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx (whose current

objectives are downlisting to threatened status) depends on 1) how soon habitat

can be secured and monitoring programs begin; 2) assurances that ecosystem and

community processes of surrounding habitat are maintained; and 3) establishment

of additional populations of A. tener var. titi, P. hickmanii, and T. trichocalyx that

are successfully reproducing. At least 12 years (based on a 12-year weather

cycle) of monitoring would be needed to assure that site management benefits

these plants. If the recovery criteria have been met by 2016, these species may be

considered for downlisting.

For Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana, the speed with which delisting

objectives can be met depends on determining effective means of managing

secured areas and improving the surrounding habitat, and monitoring to determine

whether successful recruitment has caused an increase in the overall size of both

populations. Twelve years of monitoring or more may be needed to assure that

site management is appropriate. If the recovery criteria have been met by 2016,

this species may be considered for delisting.
ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................1

A. Brief Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

B. General Description of the Monterey Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1. History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2. Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3. Weather and Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4. Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

II. SPECIES ACCOUNTS ..........................................9

A. Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk-vetch) ..............9

1. Taxonomy and Description ............................9

2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3. Habitat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4. Life History/Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5. Reason for Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6. Conservation Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

B. Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1. Taxonomy and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3. Habitat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

4. Life History/Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

5. Reason for Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

6. Conservation Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

C. Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

1. Taxonomy and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3. Habitat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4. Life History/Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

5. Reason for Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

6. Conservation Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

D. Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

1. Taxonomy and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
x

3. Habitat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4. Life History/Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

5. Reason for Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

6. Conservation Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

E. Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Gowen cypress) . . . . . . . . . . . 40

1. Taxonomy and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

3. Habitat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4. Life History/Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

5. Reason for Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

6. Conservation Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

III. RECOVERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

A. Objectives and Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

B. Recovery Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

C. Narrative Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

IV. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

V. REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

A. Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

B. Personal Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

C. In Litt. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

APPENDIX A. Explanation of Recovery Priority System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A - 1

APPENDIX B. Summary of comments and recommendations on the Draft

Recovery Plan for Five Plants from Monterey County, California . . . B - 1

APPENDIX C. Threats Identified for Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii,

Potentilla hickmanii, Trifolium trichocalyx, and Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana, and Recovery Plan Recommended Management Actions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C - 1

APPENDIX D. Glossary of Technical Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D - 1
xi

APPENDIX E. Marine Terrace Plant Communities and Successional Patterns on

the Monterey Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E - 1

APPENDIX F. Exotic plant species occurring in native Monterey pine forests or

in the vicinity of Monterey, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F - 1

APPENDIX G. Special status species known to occur on the Monterey Peninsula

or within the vicinity of Monterey, California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G - 1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Historical Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii,

and Trifolium trichocalyx ................................2

Figure 2. Current Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii,

and Trifolium trichocalyx ................................3

Figure 3. Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium

trichocalyx on the Monterey Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Figure 4. Illustration and photograph of Astragalus tener var. titi (Coastal

dunes milk-vetch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure 5. Illustration and photographs of Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia) 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Figure 6. Illustration and photographs of Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s

potentilla) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
xii

Figure 7. Illustration and photographs of Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey

clover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Figure 8. Illustrations and photograph of Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana (Gowen cypress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
1

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Brief Overview

The final rule determining Federal endangered status for Astragalus tener var. titi

(coastal dunes milk-vetch), Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia), Potentilla

hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla), Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover), and

Federal threatened status for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Gowen

cypress) was published on August 12, 1998 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1998). The five taxa are found primarily along the coast of northern Monterey

County, California (Figures 1, 2, and 3). Additionally, Potentilla hickmanii

occurs in San Mateo County with a historical occurrence in Sonoma County

(Figures 1 and 2). Astragalus tener var. titi has historical occurrences in Los

Angeles and San Diego Counties (Figure 1).

Astragalus tener var. titi has a recovery priority of 6C; Piperia yadonii has a

recovery priority of 2C; Potentilla hickmanii has a recovery priority of 5C;

Trifolium trichocalyx has a recovery priority of 5C; and Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana has a recovery priority of 9C. Appendix A presents an explanation of

recovery priority numbers. 

This recovery plan discusses threats and conservation efforts for the five plant

taxa individually, summarizing current knowledge of the taxonomy, distribution,

habitat requirements, biology, and threats for each species. The plan

recommends: 1) measures for a program that will develop and implement

strategies for effective management of existing populations; 2) surveys for

identifying additional populations; and 3) establishment of new populations

where necessary. If these measures are successfully carried out, it may be

possible to reclassify Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla

hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx as threatened in the future, and/or remove

them and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana entirely from the Federal List of

Endangered and Threatened Species.
INYO

KERN

FRESNO

TULARE

SAN DIEGO

MONTEREY

LOS ANGELES

LAKE

MADERA

MERCED

KINGS

TUOLUMNE

PLACER

SAN LUIS OBISPO

VENTURA

YOLO

SONOMA

EL DORADO

SANTA BARBARA

NAPA

MARIPOSA STANISLAUS

SAN BENITO

SOLANO

SAN JOAQUIN

ALPINE

SANTA CLARA

ORANGE

CALAVERAS

MARIN

ALAMEDA

SUTTER

SACRAMENTO AMADOR

CONTRA COSTA

SAN

MATEO

SANTA

CRUZ

SAN FRANCISCO

MONO

Figure 1. Historical Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus goveniana ssp. 

goveniana, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx. 

P

A

C

I

F

I

C

O

C

E

A

N

0 25 50 100

Miles

See Figures 2 and 3

for Detailed Maps of

These Areas

Ventura Fish & Wildlife Office GIS, 2003

Cupressus goveniana

Trifolium trichocalyx

Astragalus tener

var. titi

Potentilla 

hickmanii

Piperia yadonii

2
MONTEREY

COUNTY

MONTEREY

COUNTY

Monterey Bay

Figure 2. Current Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus goveniana ssp.

 goveniana, Piperia yadonia, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx. 

0 5 Miles

Area of

Detail

Area of

Detail

Inset Map

Half Moon

Bay

SAN MATEO

COUNTY

SAN MATEO

COUNTY

Montara

State

Beach

0 2.5 5

Miles

Point Lobos

Salinas

Castroville

Prunedale

Moss

Landing

Ventura Fish & Wildlife Office GIS, 2003

Cupressus goveniana

Trifolium trichocalyx

Astragalus tener

var. titi

Potentilla

hickmanii

Piperia yadonii

ssp. goveniana

3

3
Seventeen Mile Dr.

Seventeen Mile Dr.

Monterey Bay

Figure 3. Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana,

Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx on the Monterey Peninsula.

Area of

Detail

Area of

Detail

M o n t e r e y M o n t e r e y

0 0.5 1

Miles

Astragalus tener var. titi

Cupressus goveniana ssp.

Piperia yadonii

Trifolium trichocalyx

Potentilla hickmanii

Piperia yadonii PBC Data*

Ventura Fish & Wildlife Office GIS, 2003

Data Sources: Aerial Imagery by AirPhoto USA, April 2000, California Natural Diversity Database November, 2002.* Pebble Beach Company Data, 2003 (unpublished).

goveniana

4
1

 Facts regarding the Monterey area were obtained from the following sources: Axelrod (1982); 

Howitt (1972); Schoenherr (1992); Vogl et al. (1988);

http://www.webdzine.com/monterey/focus.html; http://users.dedot.com/mchs/colonization.html;

http://monterey.org/museum/history.html; http://www.mty.com/weather.html

5

Three appendices included in this recovery plan provide additional information

for the reader. Appendix B provides a summary of comments on the draft

recovery plan from peer reviewers and the public. Appendix C details

management actions outlined in this recovery plan and relates them to a list of the

threats identified for each of the species as documented in the listing final rule

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). Appendix D provides a glossary of

technical terms mentioned throughout this recovery plan.

B. General Description of the Monterey Area1

1. History

The earliest known inhabitants of the Monterey Peninsula were a Hokan-speaking

primitive people called the Essalen. They were replaced by the Ohlone Indians

between 500 BC and 500 AD. Monterey Bay’s modern history began when Juan

Rodriguez Cabrillo sighted the “Bay of Pines” in 1542. However, the Monterey

area was not settled until Franciscan priest Junípero Serra and Spanish Governor

Gaspar de Portolà arrived in 1770 to build a mission and establish a seat of

government (i.e., the Presidio of Monterey). The mission was later moved to

Carmel. Additionally, a few people began living outside the Presidio in ranchos

by the early 1840's. By this time the Presidio was in ruins, and the pattern of the

town of Monterey was established.

The fishing industry was the original start of the economy, with whaling as the

mainstay. A Chinese fishing village (China Point) was established in the early

1850's, in addition to settlements by Japanese abalone divers and Portuguese

whalers off Carmel Bay. Tourism took precedence over whaling during the late

1800's while sardine harvesting began in the 1920's, thus developing the famed

Monterey Cannery Row. By the end of the 1940's, sardines began to disappear,

pollution worsened, and the fisheries industry was lost. The sardines later

vanished in the early 1950's. Today, the economy depends on tourism and
6

exclusive, affluent property. Increasing conversion of ranches and farms has

recently spread into Monterey County, although the County has insulated itself

from development pressures found in other parts of California. The Monterey

area (including the Peninsula) harbors the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove,

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Seaside, Sand City, and Marina, and the unincorporated Del

Monte Forest area of Monterey County (including Pebble Beach Company

property).

2. Landscape

The ocean cut terraces into the coastal Monterey landscape during glacial times

(see Appendix E), placing beach deposits over the area as ocean waters retreated. 

As a result, today’s Monterey area harbors dramatic coastlines, gently rolling

hills, streams, and forests. The dominant landscape feature of the area is the

Monterey Peninsula, which includes the Cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove

and the community of Pebble Beach. The landscape of the Monterey area has

been converted from thick Monterey pine forests, pristine coastal dunes, and

beaches to scattered pine forests mixed with golf courses and developed coastal

areas to accommodate its growing human population. A number of fairly pristine,

protected areas have been established, including the Point Lobos State Reserve,

the Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve, the Huckleberry Hill Preserve, and a

few State parks both inland and on the beaches. The main riparian corridors to

the Monterey area are the Carmel River to the south of the Monterey Peninsula,

and the Salinas River north of the City of Marina.

3. Weather and Climate

This low-lying region of central California has a much lower total rainfall than

other areas along the coast. Average rainfall for Monterey is 43 centimeters (17

inches) per year, compared to coastal areas to the north (Santa Cruz - 76

centimeters [30 inches]) and south (Cambria - 102 centimeters [40 inches]). The

“rainy season” occurs between November and April. The annual average

temperature is 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperatures

increase significantly approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Monterey Bay
7

inland toward the City of Salinas. The coastal area is foggy with a wet, marine

layer that usually dissipates by late afternoon during summer months.

4. Habitats

The Monterey area is rich in endemic species. This area represents the northern

or southern limit of many plant species ranges. This “range limit” for these plant

species may be directly related to the geologic morphology of the area, such as

the extremely deep, underwater canyon that occurs in Monterey Bay. This deep

canyon has branch canyons to the north and south that reach close to shore,

causing sites of intense upwelling of colder water that provide greater fog

frequency. This effect may account for the discontinuous distribution and

occurrences of other endemic species along the central California coastline.

Historically, the dominant natural community for the Monterey Peninsula area

was Monterey pine forest (Pinus radiata) (see Appendix E for more detailed

information on vegetation communities). Scientists have debated why

Monterey’s Monterey pine forest (constituting Pinus radiata, Pinus muricata

[Bishop pine], Cupressus macrocarpa [Monterey cypress], and Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana) is isolated from other closed-cone pine forests in Año

Nuevo to the north and Cambria to the south. Both of these forests harbor only

Pinus radiata. Monterey pine forest understory and surrounding open grassland

meadow areas are dominated by various annual and perennial grasses and herbs,

as well as scrub species such as Arctostaphylos sp. (manzanita).

The Monterey area also has marshy areas, remnant patches of coastal prairies, and

extensive sand dunes along the northern and western shores of the bay. Many of

the sand dunes are now gone or have been replaced by housing developments and

golf courses. Additionally, shoreline mesas and cliffs that harbor many flowering

plants (e.g., Chorizanthe sp. [spineflower], Eriogonum sp.[buckwheat], and

Erysimum sp. [wallflower]) are also threatened by onshore development and

recreation. The coastal terraces generally have poor drainage and highly leached

soils. Regions around the Monterey area include humid coastal canyons, coastal

mountains, and fertile valley lands, resulting in a floristically rich area.
8

Periodic fires are a natural component of healthy Monterey pine forests, coastal

sage scrub, and chaparral communities. During the past, slopes in forest and

scrub communities were a mosaic of burned and unburned terrain where dead

wood and fuels could not accumulate for long periods of time. Today, homes and

villages occur throughout the Monterey Peninsula and other areas along coastal

California that historically burned. Fire suppression is a common practice

because of the potential loss to persons and property. A tremendous amount of

money and effort go into protecting the communities from being destroyed by

fire. Some plant species in Monterey pine forest, coastal sage scrub, and

chaparral habitats are struggling to survive and reproduce because they depend on

fire or the subsequent open canopy that a fire produces. Monterey pine cones can

open without fire, resulting in modest recruitment of trees. However, optimum

conditions for reestablishment of Monterey pines and other understory species

occur with fire.
9

II. SPECIES ACCOUNTS

A. Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk-vetch)

(Recovery Priority Number: 6C)

1. Taxonomy and Description

Astragalus tener var. titi (Figure 4) was first collected by Mrs. Joseph Clemens in

1904. It was first described by Alice Eastwood as Astragalus titi based on those

specimens collected by Clemens near Moss Beach, Monterey (Eastwood 1905). 

Eastwood named the plant A. titi in honor of Dr. F. H. Titus, who also collected

specimens of this plant. Jepson (1936) considered these two taxa synonymous. 

Howell (1938) compared type specimens of A. tener and A. tener var. titi and

confirmed two different plants, based on the low decumbent habit and smaller

flowers of A. tener var. titi. Barneby (1950) published the name A. tener var. titi,

noting differences from A. tener var. tener (alkali milk-vetch) in size of various

flower parts, habitat, and geographic range. Astragalus tener var. tener is native

to alkaline grass flats in the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay region, and the

lower Salinas Valley (Barneby 1950). Additionally, crossing studies and enzyme

electrophoresis concluded that A. tener var. titi is a valid taxon(Liston 1992).

Astragalus tener var. titi is a small annual herb from the legume family

(Fabaceae). Stems are slightly pubescent and reach 2 to 12 centimeters (0.8 to 4.7

inches) in height, and up to approximately 20 centimeters (8 inches) under

cultivation (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). It has pinnately compound leaves ranging

from 2 to 7 centimeters (0.8 to 2.7 inches) long with 7 to 11 wedge-like to

oblanceolate leaflets, each having a slightly bilobed tip. Lavender to purple

flowers are borne on 2 to 12 subcapitate racemes. Hairs of the peduncle may be

white (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). An easily seen feature of the plant is copious

black-spreading hairs covering the calyces and pedicels, some of which are dark

maroon-red on close examination (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Flowers are 5 to 6

millimeters (0.3 inch) long and the fruit can be a straight or curved legume

that is 6 to 14 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inch) in length (Spellenberg 1993). 

Additionally, each capsule commonly produces 4 seeds (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).
10

Figure 4. Illustration and photograph of Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes

milk-vetch). Drawing by Mary Ann Showers, used by permission of the

California Department of Fish and Game. Photo by Dr. Dean Wm. Taylor,

Jepson Herbarium
11

 Individual plants (depending on the amount of competition with other species)

may be single- or multi-branched and produce more than 60 pods whose seeds

may remain viable for more than 1 year (M. Stromberg, University of California,

Hastings Reserve in litt. 2002).

2. Distribution

Historically, Astragalus tener var. titi was found in Monterey, Los Angeles, and

San Diego Counties (Ferreira 1995). Specimens from the two historical locations

in Los Angeles County (Hyde Park in Inglewood and Santa Monica) and two

locations in San Diego County (Silver Strand and Soledad) were annotated by

Barneby (1964) as A. tener var. titi. Both Los Angeles locations have been

heavily urbanized. It is unlikely that suitable habitat exists in those locations

today. This taxon has not been collected in Los Angeles County since 1903. 

Historical habitat in the Silver Strand area is owned by the Department of

Defense (Miramar Naval Weapons Center). A portion of this area is used for

amphibious vehicle training exercises. Another part of the Silver Strand area is

leased by the Navy to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for

development of a campground and recreational facilities. The Soledad site (near

Torrey Pines State Reserve) in San Diego County needs additional surveys

(Ferreira 1995). This taxon was last collected in San Diego County in 1983. 

Many unsuccessful searches have been conducted in both Los Angeles and San

Diego Counties since 1980 (Ferreira 1995).

The only known extant population of Astragalus tener var. titi is on Pebble Beach

Company and Monterey Peninsula Country Club property in Monterey County. 

This site is along 17-Mile Drive on the western edge of the Monterey Peninsula

near Bird Rock. During the 1980's and 1990's, 15 to 1,000 individuals were

counted within this population (Ferreira 1995). By 1995, 11 scattered patches of

plants within this single population included approximately 4,000 individuals that

were known to occur on both sides of 17-Mile Drive, along Bird Rock Road, and

at a horse jumping area on Monterey Peninsula Country Club property (Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996).
12

An enclosure was built by the Pebble Beach Company on the west side of 17-

Mile Drive to provide protection to Astragalus tener var. titi plants on their

property. Surveys conducted in this enclosure found hundreds of individuals in

1998, likely fewer than 200 plants in 1999, and no flowering individuals in 2000

(Doak et al. 2000). During 2002, no plants were observed in the enclosure while

multiple individuals were found to successfully bloom outside the enclosure in

areas where light disturbance was evident. Therefore, new management measures

(e.g., light pedestrian traffic) may be warranted (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). 

Additionally, remnant patches of habitat suitable for A. tener var. titi remain in

the vicinity. However, these habitat patches are surrounded by golf greens and a

bank covered with exotic Carpobrotus edulis (sea-fig) (Ferreira 1995, Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996).

3. Habitat Requirements

A single population of Astragalus tener var. titi occurs on relatively flat coastal

terrace areas within 30 meters (100 feet) of the ocean beach and 8 meters (25 feet)

above sea level. Prior to European settlement, A. tener var. titi likely occurred

adjacent to coastal terrace grassland in vernal wetland areas that became dry in

the summer (Stromberg et al. 2001). Today, plants occur primarily on Antioch

soils, with a few colonies found on compacted Sheridan soils (Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996). The loamy fine sands comprise a series of shallow swales that

support standing water during wet winter and spring seasons. Flowering plants

have also been found after a heavy rainfall year in a dry, less vegetated, and open

rocky area (Doak et al. 2000). Individual plants are found along the bottoms or

sides of the swales with low growing grasses and herbaceous species that are 10

to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) tall (Doak et al. 2000). Additionally, A. t. var.

titi is likely tolerant of slightly saline soil conditions due to the plants’ exposure

to ocean sprays and periodic saturation from salt water inundation (Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996).

Astragalus tener var. titi plants will germinate and grow to healthy maturity in

areas of low-level disturbance, such as that caused by gophers or light pedestrian

traffic (Doak et al. 2000, M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). Research conducted on
13

plants under cultivation confirms that any competition or shading will result in

unhealthy plants (V. Yadon, in litt. 2002, M. Stromberg in litt. 2002).

A number of native and nonnative plants are associated with A. tener var. titi,

including Plantago coronopus (cut-leaf plantain), Danthonia californica

(California oatgrass), Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. holciformis (tufted hairgrass),

and Lasthenia gracilis (goldfields). The occurrence of Plantago coronopus and

Lasthenia gracilis may be good indicator species of the appropriate habitat

conditions needed for A. tener var. titi (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). No

associations of A. tener var. titi with other biotic or abiotic variables (e.g., soil

moisture, amount of bare ground, percent cover of other plant species) have been

found (Doak et al. 2000).

4. Life History/Ecology

Astragalus tener var. titi flowers between March and May. Small bees have been

presumed to be its main pollinators based on floral structure. Surveys conducted

during 1998 and 1999 resulted in only one observed visitor (i.e., a small,

unidentified black beetle) (Doak et al. 2000). However, a greenhouse study

revealed that high seed set and flower morphology indicate selfing as the common

form of pollination (Doak et al. 2000). Therefore, it is likely that pollinator

services are not a strong concern in the establishment and maintenance of

populations (Doak et al. 2000).

Studies of seed production indicated that the average number of seeds produced

per plant was approximately 33, and a statistically significant positive relationship

existed between Astragalus tener var. titi density and number of seeds produced

per plant (Doak et al. 2000). This result may indicate that 1) significant

competition exists between plants when plants are at high densities; or, 2) habitats

that are best for germination or accumulation of seeds (i.e. swales) are not optimal

for continued growth and reproduction (Doak et al. 2000). However, several

populations of this plant have been observed in greenhouse conditions, under

which variation in seed production between years was evident (M. Stromberg in

litt. 2002). Additionally, wild populations may produce no seeds during dry years
14

(M. Stromberg in litt. 2002), potentially resulting in a lower density of individuals

in subsequent years.

Under cultivation, seed capsules may burst and throw their seeds up to 2 meters

(6.5 feet) (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Many capsules are not dehiscent and simply

drop to the soil where they may float to other areas to colonize if those areas

become flooded during winter rains (V. Yadon, in litt. 2002). Additionally, plants

may hold their capsules well into summer months, with some remaining green

into late July (V. Yadon, in litt. 2002).

5. Reason for Listing

Astragalus tener var. titi was federally listed as endangered on August 12, 1998

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The California Department of Fish and

Game listed it as endangered in February 1982, and the California Native Plant

Society also considers it a rare and endangered plant species (List 1B) (Skinner

and Pavlik 1994).

Urban development, loss of habitat, recreation, and coastal military activities

resulted in extirpation of the historical occurrences of Astragalus tener var. titi in

southern California, and possibly other occurrences in Monterey County. 

Reasons for listing this species as endangered include modifications in hydrology

(resulting from improvements or maintenance activities along 17-Mile Drive) and

alteration of habitat from trampling associated with recreational activities (e.g.,

hiking, picnicking, ocean viewing, wildlife photography, equestrian use, golfing). 

Additionally, early mowing of grasses (as they begin to brown) to accommodate

single-purpose fire regulations may seriously affect this species (V. Yadon in litt.

2002). The current population of A. tener var. titi in Monterey County is also

highly fragmented. The small population size and human uses that surround this

population greatly increase its chance of extinction from random naturally

occurring events (e.g., inbreeding depression, genetic drift, disease, wave erosion

from a major storm) or human activities (e.g., change in surface water flow due to

golf course watering) that could negatively affect a significant portion of the

remaining plants. Astragalus tener var. titi is also threatened with competition

from nonnative Carpobrotus edulis, Plantago coronopus, and Carex pansa (Pansa
15

sedge). These species are spreading both within and outside of the fenced

protective enclosure along 17-Mile Drive (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996; H.

Crowell, pers. obs. 2001). Additionally, nonnative Hainardia cylindrica

(unnamed grass), Distichlis spicata (salt grass), and Juncus spp. (rush) occur in

target locations. No germination or growth of A. tener var. titi was found to occur

during 1999 and 2000 (Doak et al. 2000) or in 2002 (V. Yadon, in litt. 2002) in

existing Carex pansa areas or in a mixed vegetative area within the enclosure. 

These surveys also indicate that in years with heavy rainfall, this protective

enclosure may not contain the best habitat for the species (Doak et al. 2000).

Predation of seeds and herbivory by animal and insect species may reduce

survivorship of Astragalus tener var. titi. California voles (Microtus californica)

are known to harvest seeds of many species along 17-Mile Drive, including along

the edge of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club (V. Yadon, in litt. 2002). 

Earwigs, snails, slugs, lepidopteran larvae (specifically cabbage butterfly [Pieris

rapae] larvae), and aphids are documented to feed on cultivated A. tener var. titi

(V. Yadon, in litt. 2002, M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). A lack of native predators

that normally prey on species such as voles and butterfly larvae may have resulted

in larger numbers of these animal and insect species. Additionally, the excessive

number of deer (up to 100 individuals per square mile) on the Monterey Peninsula

are likely affecting reproduction of this species (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002).

Astragalus tener var. titi occurring on the east side of 17-Mile Drive (i.e.,

Monterey Peninsula Country Club property) are vulnerable to ongoing equestrian

use along trails, recreational golfing activities, and likely effects of fertilizers and

pesticides. Individuals of A. tener var. titi are known to occur within 1 meter

(approximately 3 feet) of the managed turf (i.e., golf areas to include the rough,

fairway, and green) (Ferreira 1995).

6. Conservation Measures

Studies of Astragalus tener var. titi were conducted in 1998 and 1999 by Doak et

al. (2000), supported by funds received through section 6 of the Endangered

Species Act. The focus of these studies was to better characterize occurrence

patterns, characterize habitat, evaluate competition from nonnative species, and to
16

assess the costs and benefits of disturbances caused by foot traffic and gopher

activity.

The Pebble Beach Company constructed the fenced protective enclosure in 1989

as a condition of permit approval by the California Coastal Commission to

conduct various construction-related activities in the area. The enclosure was

built on the west side of 17-Mile Drive to reduce inadvertent trampling from both

passive and active recreational activities. It includes a narrow buffer zone and

protects approximately 930 square meters (10,000 square feet) of the terrace from

foot and vehicle traffic. The Pebble Beach Company has been managing and

monitoring the population within the enclosure for several years (M. Zander,

Zander Associates, in litt. 1996). Additionally, the Pebble Beach Company

planted approximately 380 plants along 17-Mile Drive in 1993, with plans to

cultivate additional Astragalus tener var. titi in their nursery for eventual

establishment (M. Zander in litt. 1996). Success measures from these plantings

have not yet been reported to us.

As of 1996, no new development activities had been proposed for areas that

support Astragalus tener var. titi on Pebble Beach Company property. The

Company’s stated long-term goal is to preserve and enhance the existing

population (M. Zander in litt. 1996). The Pebble Beach Company has also

implemented a directed program to eradicate invasive, nonnative species (e.g.,

Carpobrotus edulis) (Ferreira 1995, M. Zander in litt. 1996). However, no

information is available on the effects of Pebble Beach Company’s exotic species

removal activities as there are no records for when or where weed removal

activities are conducted (R. Spruance, Environmental Programs, Pebble Beach

Company, pers. comm. 2003).

B. Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia)

(Recovery Priority Number: 2C)

1. Taxonomy and Description

Piperia yadonii (Figure 5) was first collected by Leroy Abrams in 1925 in open

pine forest near Pacific Grove. It was originally identified as a polymorphic

(having or occurring in several distinct forms), wide-ranging species in the 
17

Figure 5. Illustration and photographs of Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia). 

Drawing used with permission by James D. Ackerman, Ph.D., and Lindleyana

Scientific Journal of the American Orchid Society. 

A = entire plant

B = fully open flower, 3/4 view

C = dorsal sepal

D = lateral sepal

E = petal

F = lip

G = column, with anther

 and extended stigma

Photo taken by Luis Acevedo Photo taken by John Game
18

western United States known as Piperia unalascensis (Morgan and Ackerman

1990). At least two naturalists (i.e., George Henry Grinnel and Leroy Abrams)

who collected from the Monterey region in the 1920's noted the uniqueness of the

plants from this locality (Coleman 1995). In the most recent treatment of the

genus Piperia, Ackerman (1977) segregated out several long-spurred taxa from

the P. unalascensis complex but attempted no analysis of the short-spurred forms

(which would eventually include P. yadonii). Subsequently, Morgan and

Ackerman (1990) segregated out two new taxa from the P. unalascensis complex

on the basis of floral markings, inflorescence type, and partly on geographic

range. One of these taxa (i.e., Piperia yadonii) was named after Vernal Yadon,

Director Emeritus of the Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove, Monterey

County.

Piperia yadonii is a slender perennial herb in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). 

Mature plants typically have 2 or 3 lanceolate to oblanceolate basal leaves 10 to

15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long and 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.

The single flowering stems are typically 20 to 50 centimeters (8 to 20 inches) tall,

with some reaching as high as 80 centimeters (31 inches) (A. Graff in litt. 2002). 

Spikes have an average of 56 flowers spirally arranged along the axis (A. Graff in

litt. 2002). Flowers are arranged in a dense narrow-cylindrical raceme

(unbranched cluster). Up to 100 flowers have been observed under cultivation,

each consisting of 3 petal-like sepals and 3 petals (together referred to as tepals)

(V. Yadon in litt. 2002). The most easily distinguished characteristic of P.

yadonii are green and white upper three tepals and white lower three tepals. 

However, flowers appearing late in the flowering season may be entirely creamy

white and not show green features (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). The lower-most tepal

is specialized into a lip that is narrowly triangular (2.5 to 5 millimeters [0.09 to

0.20 inch] long) and is strongly decurved such that the tip nearly touches the spur

(2.5 millimeters [0.09 inch] long) of the flower (Morgan and Ackerman 1990). 

Piperia yadonii is sympatric with P. elegans, P. elongata, P. michaelii, and P.

transversa, but is distinguished from them in flower by its shorter spur length (1.5

to 6 millimeters [0.06 to 0.24 inch] long), particular pattern of green and white

floral markings, and its earlier flowering time (Wilken and Jennings 1993,

Coleman 1995).
19

2. Distribution

Piperia yadonii is endemic to Monterey County. The plant is found within

Monterey pine forest and maritime chaparral communities. Its center of

distribution appears to be the Monterey Peninsula where plants are found

throughout the larger undeveloped tracts of the Del Monte Forest in Monterey

pine forest. Piperia yadonii extends from the Los Lomos area in the north, near 

the border of Santa Cruz County (Allen 1996; V. Yadon, Pacific Grove Museum

of Natural History, in litt. 1997), south to Palo Colorado Canyon, approximately

25 kilometers (15 miles) south of the Monterey Peninsula. Searches north into

Santa Cruz County have uncovered little suitable habitat and no P. yadonii (R.

Morgan, California Native Plant Society, pers. comm. 1996; Allen 1996), nor do

regional herbaria contain collections from Santa Cruz County (R. Morgan pers.

comm. 1996). An occurrence of six individuals was reported near State Route 1

at Fort Ord in 1991, although no plants were found in subsequent surveys

between 1993 and 1995 (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Plants have also

been found east of Point Lobos State Reserve and east of the Monterey Peninsula.

The most southerly location, near Palo Colorado Canyon, supported

approximately 38 individuals in maritime chaparral when it was last surveyed a

decade ago (J. Norman in litt. 1995). Piperia yadonii has been found only 6.5 to

10 kilometers (4 to 6 miles) inland (Allen 1996, V. Yadon in litt. 1997) despite

searches of lands farther east (Allen 1996). Toro Regional Park (located 16 to 24

kilometers [10 to 15 miles] inland) was searched, and four unidentified Piperia

sp. plants were found. However, the habitat was reported to not be that favored

by P. yadonii (Allen 1996).

During rangewide surveys conducted in 1995 and 1996, and funded by the Pebble

Beach Company, Allen (1996) reported a total of 82,712 individuals over

approximately 144 hectares (355 acres). During the 1995 and 1996 surveys, the

greatest concentrations of P. yadonii (approximately 57,000 plants) were found

scattered throughout much of the remaining Monterey pine forest owned by the

Pebble Beach Company and the Del Monte Forest Foundation on the Monterey

Peninsula (Allen 1996). Approximately 2,000 of these plants occurred on remnant

patches of Monterey pine forest in parks and open space areas of Pacific Grove

and Monterey (Allen 1996, Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). The remainder
20

occurred in large stands and remnants of the Del Monte Forest, owned primarily

by the Pebble Beach Company. Plants were often densely clustered, with 100 to

200 plants per square meter (9 to 19 per square foot) (Allen 1996). A more

thorough census was conducted in 2004 of the Del Monte Forest areas that

support P. yadonii and are proposed for development and as mitigation for

development. The census reconfirmed that the two largest occurrences of P.

yadonii on the Monterey Peninsula are at the sites referred to as MNOUV,

consisting of about 116 acres of Monterey pine forest, and at PQR, consisting of

about 233 acres of Monterey pine forest (Monterey County PBID 2004). In 2004

MNOUV supported about 57,200 P. yadonii plants and PQR supported about

56,100 P. yadonii plants (Ecosystems West Associates 2004). Together these

areas supported about 87 percent of all the plants found in the censused parcels.

While the numbers of plants at these locations were about three times greater than

those identified in 1996, their distribution across the parcels did not appear

strikingly different from 1996 (Service interpretation of maps provided by Zander

Associates and WWD Corporation 2004). Of the 14 smaller sites censused in

2004, 9 also supported greater numbers of plants than identified in 1996 surveys

and 5 supported fewer plants. The specific effects of increases or decreases in

numbers of above-ground plants on population viability are difficult to assess for

plants which have seed banks or other dormant underground structures that

cannot easily be counted (such as the tubers of P. yadonii) (Given 1994, Doak et

al. 2002).

A number of other locations have been identified as harboring Piperia yadonii.

East of the Monterey Peninsula, approximately 3,000 individuals have been

identified on or near the Monterey Peninsula Airport (B. Leitner, Environmental

Science Associates, in litt. 2001), including 1,419 individuals at the Sky Park Self

Storage West facility (RCHR 2003). More than 2,350 plants have been identified

at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey (Greening Associates 1999). 

Approximately 15,000 P. yadonii individuals were found inland and to the north

on chaparral covered ridges north of Prunedale (Allen 1996). Approximately

8,000 of these individuals are on lands that receive some protection at Manzanita

County Park and The Nature Conservancy’s Blohm Ranch parcel, while the

remainder are on private lands that are not protected (e.g., along Tucker Road and

Vierra Canyon). Approximately 7,500 plants have been found south of the
21

Peninsula (Allen 1996) on: 1) State Park properties at Point Lobos Ranch; 2)

surrounding land (i.e., Riley Ranch) slated to be transferred to California

Department of Parks and Recreation in the future (Nikki Nedef, Big Sur Land

Trust, pers. comm. 2001); and 3) a smaller parcel that has remained in private

ownership.

3. Habitat Requirements

Piperia yadonii has been found in two primary habitat types: 1) Monterey pine

forest with an herbaceous, sparse understory; and 2) ridges in maritime chaparral

growing beneath dwarfed Arctostaphylos hookeri (Hooker’s manzanita) shrubs in

shallow soils (Morgan and Ackerman 1990, Allen 1996, Doak and Graff 2001). 

In the Monterey pine forest habitat, the species grows through pine needle duff

among sparse herbaceous vegetation. In areas where plant succession or other

factors change the bare understory to thick Toxicodendron diversilobum (poison

oak), P. yadonii appears not to be present (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Piperia

yadonii grows in filtered sun on soils (sandy, podzolic, or decomposed granite

when associated with Monterey pine and manzanitas) with a shallow clay hard

pan that becomes very dry during the flowering season. However, these soils

include cracks and tubes derived from root penetration that fill with clay and

remain moist for long periods of time (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Overall, this

species favors a well drained sandy soil substrate with podzolic conditions, areas

that retain moisture during the rainy season but are not subject to inundation (V.

Yadon in litt. 2002). In some Monterey pine forest locations, P. yadonii plants

occur among dense stands of the nonnative annual grass Briza maxima (quaking

grass) (Doak and Graff 2001).

In maritime chaparral habitat in northern Monterey County, plants grow on

sandstone ridges where soils are shallow. They are commonly found under the

edges of prostrate mats of Arctostaphylos hookeri and, on the Monterey

Peninsula, with an overstory of Monterey pine. Additionally, P. yadonii is

associated with Arctostaphylos pajaroensis (Pajaro manzanita), Adenostoma

fasciculatum (chamise), Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus (Monterey ceanothus),

Eriophyllum confertiflorum (golden-yarrow), and Mimulus aurantiacus (bush

monkeyflower) (Doak and Graff 2001).
22

As noted above, several other species of Piperia occur together with or in the

vicinity of Piperia yadonii. Biologists have confirmed it is impossible to identify

P. yadonii based on morphology without mature flowers (M. Stormberg in litt.

2002, V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

Piperia yadonii can occur in some locations where disturbance has occurred

previously (but that are not regularly affected by recreation, development,

landscaping, etc.), such as abandoned dirt roads or cut slopes created by road

construction (Allen 1996). Like other orchid species, P. yadonii does not appear

to be an early successional species but is able to colonize trails and road banks

within dwarf maritime chaparral or Monterey pine forest once a decade or more

has passed and if light and moisture regimes are favorable (Allen 1996, V. Yadon

in litt. 1997).

4. Life History/Ecology

Germination of Piperia yadonii seeds likely involves a symbiotic relationship

with a fungus, as has been observed with other orchids (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). 

Plants may produce only vegetative growth for several years before first

producing flowers (Rasmussen 1995). Basal leaves of mature P. yadonii typically

emerge sometime after fall or winter rains and wither by May or June when plants

produce a single flowering stem. The blooming season is fairly short. The first

flowers are dependent on age and/or tuber size and open mid- to late-June

(Coleman 1995, Doak and Graff 2001). Blooming is generally completed by

early August. Plants will continue to produce new flowers as older flowers on the

same stalk mature and produce seed (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). Plants are

dormant from September to December until winter rains stimulate root and leaf

bud development. 

The age structure of populations is unknown because size and flowering are not

always age-dependent. However, older plants will be larger both above ground

and below even though size and flowering may not always be directly correlated. 

Additionally, an estimate of population size structure will aid in identifying age

structure, whether the population is senescing with few or no seedling individuals,

or whether good evidence of recruitment exists (M.A. Matthews in litt. 2002).
23

Recent data suggest that only a small percentage (typically 2 to 5 percent) of

individuals in a population may flower in any year (Allen 1996, V. Yadon in litt.

2000). However, studies conducted by Doak and Graff (2001) suggest a wide

among-year, among-population, and possibly among-habitat variation in the

proportion of plants that flower (A. Graff in litt. 2002). For example, surveys in

1999 at Pescadero Canyon found 6 percent of plants flowering in pine forest

habitat on Pebble Beach Company property and 4 percent of plants flowering on

Blohm Ranch in chaparral habitat (A. Graff in litt. 2002). In contrast, surveys in

2000 indicate that 17 percent of plants flowered in pine forest habitat at Pescadero

Canyon and 0.4 percent of plants flowered at Blohm Ranch (A. Graff in litt. 2002,

Doak and Graff 2001). This pattern is consistent with what is known of other

orchid species. As in some other plant taxa, individual orchids that flower in one

year may not have the necessary energy reserves to flower in the following year. 

As a result, an unknown proportion of a population may be dormant in any given

year, thus making it difficult to track population dynamics through monitoring of

population size (Wells 1981, Rasmussen 1995, A. Graff in litt. 2002).

Reproduction of Piperia yadonii is accomplished through both outcrossing and

insect-facilitated selfing. Recent research results indicate virtually no fruit and

seed production in plants that are not visited by pollinators (Doak and Graff

2001). Self-pollinated flowers produced fewer seeds per fruit than outcrossed

flowers, indicating that inbreeding depression occurs at the level of seed set

(Doak and Graff 2001). Additionally, individual flowering stalks may produce

seeds as late as September.

A number of different floral visitors were identified during recent studies,

including species from the following families: Pyralidae (snout moths),

Geometridae (geometer moths), Noctuidae (noctuid moths), and Pterophoridae

(plume moths). Additionally, although only one species of diurnal visitor has

been documented to date (i.e., bumble bees [Bombus sp.]), it has been noted at

more than one location (A. Graff in litt. 2002).

Herbivory and disease appear to adversely affect reproductive success of Piperia

yadonii. Plants appear to be preyed upon by deer, rabbit, and possibly rodents

(Doak and Graff 2001), in addition to snails, slugs, earwigs, and aphids (V.
24

Yadon in litt. 2002). A fungal disease ( i.e., Rhizoctonia sp.) has also been

documented to adversely affect P. yadonii plants. Only a small number of

diseased plants set fruit compared to healthy plants, and diseased plants that do

set fruit have a significantly lower seed count than healthy plants (Doak and Graff

2001).

5. Reason for Listing

Piperia yadonii was listed as endangered on August 12, 1998 (U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service 1998). It is not listed under the State of California Endangered

Species Act, although it is considered a “rare, threatened, or endangered plant” by

the California Native Plant Society (List 1B) (Skinner and Pavlik 1994).

Numerous historical collections reported from the Pacific Grove area suggest that

many Piperia yadonii populations have been extirpated from the Monterey

Peninsula (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). Urban and recreational

development (most specifically golf courses) threaten this plant’s existence. The

remaining populations occur on property owned by the Pebble Beach Company,

Del Monte Forest Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, County of Monterey,

City of Monterey, The Nature Conservancy, State Parks (e.g., Riley Ranch), and

an undetermined number of other private landowners (Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996). The largest populations occur on property owned and managed

by the Pebble Beach Company (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Although

large numbers of plants have been reported throughout its range (Allen 1996,

Jones and Stokes Associates 1996, M. Zander in litt. 1996), these individuals are

concentrated in small areas and connectivity between plant locations is

compromised.

A number of other threats to Piperia yadonii have been reported. These threats

include: 1) competition from nonnative plants; 2) mowing of vacant properties

(V. Yadon in litt. 2002, M. Stromberg in litt. 2002); 3) roadside maintenance and

a fire directive allowing mowing/brushing (within 6 to 8 inches of the ground

surface) of habitat along roadways in the Pebble Beach area (V. Yadon in litt.

2002, M. Stromberg in litt. 2002); 4) loss of viable habitat (i.e., functioning

ecosystems that support stable or increasing populations of plants) due to changes
25

in vegetation structure within sites following fire suppression (although further

research is needed to verify this) (A. Graff in litt. 2002); 5) loss of an inland

population of plants due to a proposed realignment of U.S. Route 101 near

Prunedale; and 6) loss of plants from a potential roadway circulation

improvement project at the Monterey Peninsula Airport. Up to 73 percent

(approximately 2,200 plants) of the existing population at the airport may be lost

if the roadways are expanded (B. Leitner in litt. 2001). The fragmented nature of

all remaining sites makes management difficult and local extinctions of this

species probable. Piperia yadonii is also threatened by predators, such as snails,

slugs, earwigs, aphids, rabbits, and deer. Over the past few decades, populations

of deer on the Monterey Peninsula have increased dramatically to numbers high

enough that sensitive plant species are negatively affected by deer browsing on

flowering stems. Researchers have noticed orchid reproduction has been affected,

and at least one population of P. yadonii was browsed so heavily during 2000 that

no plants successfully produced seed capsules (V. Yadon in litt. 2000). 

6. Conservation Measures

The Blohm Ranch Nature Preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy and is

stewarded by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. The Piperia yadonii population 

within this protected property supported approximately 2,500 plants in 1995

(Jones and Stokes Associates 1996).

The Naval Postgraduate School has proposed protective measures for Piperia

yadonii in their draft Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan. These

measures include protection of existing populations, continued monitoring,

management of existing populations, removal of nonnative invasive weeds

(Genista monspessulana [french broom] and Cortaderia sp. [pampas grass]), and

fencing populations for added protection (Naval Postgraduate School 2001).

In 1995, over 7,600 plants of Piperia yadonii were known to occur on lands set

aside as open space at the Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve and Huckleberry

Hill Natural Area (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). A fire in the pygmy forest

area during 1987 removed a cover of dense trees and shrubs, creating an increased

open area more favorable to orchid species. This open area may have increased
26

the P. yadonii populations following the fire by creating more suitable habitat. 

However, it is likely this temporary habitat will decline over time as the pygmy

forest recovers and matures.

Since the proposed rule for listing was prepared in 1994, the Pebble Beach

Company funded intensive surveys for Piperia yadonii (focusing on the Monterey

Peninsula in 1995 and beyond the Peninsula in western Monterey County in

1996) in an effort to better quantify the extent of P. yadonii throughout its range

(Allen 1996, M. Zander in litt. 1996). As of 1996, approximately 17 percent of

the known P. yadonii plants were found to occur on protected (i.e., no

development threats) lands (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). These areas

include the Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve, Huckleberry Hill Natural

Area, Huckleberry Hill Preserve, George Washington Park, Crocker Cypress

Grove, Veterans Memorial Park, Manzanita County Park, and the Blohm Ranch

Preserve (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Additionally, the Riley Ranch

property was recently purchased by Big Sur Land Trust and is in the process of

being transferred to State Parks as another area protected from residential

development threats (A. Graff in litt. 2002). 

Due to the severely fragmented habitat supporting most of the remaining patches

of plants throughout the species range and the lack of information on its life

history, both reproductive and pollination ecology studies of P. yadonii were

carried out at eight locations in 1999 (Doak and Graff 2001). We provided

funding for this 2-year study to determine the species breeding system,

pollinators, fecundity, herbivory rate, disease incidence, size at reproduction, and

the proportion of plants in a given area that flower. Results and recommendations

from this study have been incorporated into this recovery plan. We funded

additional work in August, 2001, to develop a monitoring protocol for this species

[D. Steeck, pers. comm. 2003). The draft monitoring protocol is currently being

reviewed and tested.
27

C. Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla)

(Recovery Priority Number: 5C)

1. Taxonomy and Description

Potentilla hickmanii (Figure 6) was described by Alice E. Eastwood based on her

1900 collection along a road to Cypress Point, Monterey County (Eastwood

1902). Eastwood named the plant after Mr. J. B. Hickman who was her guide on

that collecting trip.

Potentilla hickmanii is a small perennial herb in the rose family (Rosaceae) that

dies back to a woody taproot each year. The annually produced leaves are

pinnately compound into generally six paired, palmately cleft leaflets that are 2 to

8 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inch) long and 1 to 3 millimeters (0.04 to 0.12 inch)

wide. Several reclining stems 5 to 45 centimeters (2 to 16 inches) long support 2

to 4 branched cymes, each of which has fewer than 10 flowers. The flowers

consist of 5 yellow obcordate petals 6 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inch) long and

5 millimeters (0.2 inch) wide, typically with 20 stamens and about 10 styles

(Abrams 1944, Ertter 1993). Potentilla hickmanii is distinguished from two other

potentillas that occur on the Monterey Peninsula (P. anserina var. pacifica and P.

glandulosa) by a combination of its small stature, leaflet size and shape, and color

of petals.

2. Distribution

The type locality of Potentilla hickmanii was noted by Eastwood (1902): “Pinus

radiata forest, near the reservoir which supplies Pacific Grove, California, along

the road to Cypress Point, April 4, 1900”. The reference to a reservoir could refer

to Forest Lake in Pebble Beach but more likely refers to the Pacific Grove

reservoir (Ferreira 1995). The known geographical range for P. hickmanii

includes the following historical locations: 1) Moss Beach, San Mateo County,

1.1 kilometers (0.7 mile) south of Point Montara near Half Moon Bay in 1905

discovered by Katherine Brandegee and in 1933 by Mrs. E.C. Sutcliffe (Ertter

1993); 2) Monterey Peninsula, approximately 800 meters (0.5 mile) east of Seal

Rock at a picnic area, Pebble Beach, Monterey County; 3) Pacific Grove, near a 
28

Figure 6. Illustration and photographs of Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s

potentilla). The illustration is reprinted from The Jepson Manual, J. Hickman,

Ed., 1993, with permission from the Jepson Herbarium. © Regents of the

University of California. 

Photo taken by Beatrice F. Howitt, Photo © 1997 by 

© California Academy of Sciences. Tony Morosco
29

reservoir supplying Pacific Grove, on the road to Cypress Point, Monterey

County; and 4) within the Two Rock Quadrangle in Sonoma County (Ferreira

1995, California Natural Diversity Data Base 2001). A collection of the Pacific

Grove population was made by Ethel K. Crum in 1932, apparently in the vicinity

of Eastwood's original collection on the Monterey Peninsula. Ferreira (1995)

surveyed the area surrounding the Pacific Grove reservoir in 1992, but found no

P. hickmanii plants or suitable habitat for the species.

Two extant populations of this species are known today: one in the hills above

Martini Creek adjacent to Montara State Beach in San Mateo County, and another

at the Indian Village picnic area on the Monterey Peninsula on lands owned by

the Del Monte Forest Foundation. Both of these populations occur within the

historical locality of the species. 

The Monterey Peninsula population of Potentilla hickmanii is in a meadow

opening within Monterey pine forest inland of Seal Rock along 17-Mile Drive. 

Twenty-four individuals of P. hickmanii were located during 1992 surveys in an

area that covers no more than 279 square meters (3,000 square feet) (Ferreira

1995). The site was surveyed on two occasions in 1995, with only 21 plants

found (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Surveys in 1999 indicated that likely

fewer than 40 plants remained (Doak et al. 2000). Of the approximately 50 plants

that were planted in 2001 by Dr. Vern Yadon and Pebble Beach Company, only 8

to 10 of these individuals survived (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). Very few P.

hickmanii plants remain into 2002 due to excessive water that has been diverted

from an adjacent golf operation. Additionally, excessive overgrowth of Holcus

lanatus (velvet grass) and Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue) are threatening

remaining plants.

The San Mateo County (Montara) population grows on grassland slopes of

privately owned land near Devil’s Slide and covers an area between 65 and 130

hectares (0.25 and 0.5 square mile) (T. Morosco in litt. 1997). The population in

San Mateo County was presumed extirpated until it was rediscovered in 1995 by

biologists from California Department of Transportation surveying for a highway

project (R. Vonarb, Caltrans, in litt. 1995). The population size was estimated at
30

2,000 to 3,000 individuals in 1995 and 1996 (R. Vonarb in litt. 1995, T. Morosco

in litt. 1997).

A greenhouse experiment on reproduction of P. hickmanii involved placing pollen

from Montara plants onto Indian Village plants. Results indicated only 47

percent of ovules on Indian Village plants given Montara pollen produced seed,

as opposed to 62 percent treated with Indian Village pollen (Doak et al. 2000). 

This difference was marginally significant, suggesting that the Indian Village and

Montara populations may not be fully compatible and there may be genetic

divergence (Doak et al. 2000).

3. Habitat Requirements

The Monterey Peninsula population of Potentilla hickmanii is found in loamy

fine, sandy soils in coastal terrace prairie habitat. The area supports a small

meadow community of nonnative grasses and several nonnative and native herbs. 

The site consists of Santa Ynez soils, which support an upper surface of sand and

organic material underlain by clay soils (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Wet

meadow conditions appear to be essential for the persistence of P. hickmanii,

although competition with nonnative grassland species is apparent (H. Crowell,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers. obs. 2001). Nonnative species that dominate

the area include Avena barbata (slender oats), Bromus mollis (soft chess brome),

Bromus diandrus (ripgut brome), Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum (wild

barley), and Briza minor (little rattlesnake grass) (Jones and Stokes Associates

1996). Principal native species include Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. cespitosa

(tufted hairgrass), Danthonia californica (California oatgrass), Agrostis pallens

(bent grass), Elymus glaucus (blue wildrye), Grindelia latifolia (coast gumplant),

Geranium dissectum (common geranium), Rumex crispus (curly dock), Vulpia sp.

(annual fescues), and the rare State listed species Trifolium polypodon (Pacific

Grove clover).

The densest concentration of Potentilla hickmanii in the Montara population of

San Mateo County grows in the most intact native habitats in the area with few

competing annual grasses (B. Ertter, U.C. Berkeley, in litt. 1997). It occurs on

level to gently sloping grasslands in an area with native grasses that has been
31

grazed (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Associated plants include native

Nassella spp. (needlegrass) and Danthonia californica, and nonnative Phalaris

sp. (canary grass) (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996).

4. Life History/Ecology

Potentilla hickmanii has protogynous flowers with a stigma that is receptive to

pollen before the pollen-bearing anthers open within the same flower (Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996). This mechanism can reduce self-pollination and

increase the possibility of outcrossing. It is also likely that some level of

interpopulational genetic diversity exists (B. Ertter in litt. 1997).

Seeds are produced late in the season. Plants may produce little to no seeds in

drier years, especially among early-blooming flowers (Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996, B. Ertter in litt. 1997). This lack of seed set might be due to the

observed absence of pollinators during blooming time of dry years. Natural

population increases appear during wet years, although these population increases

may not occur during dry years (Doak et al. 2000). Additionally, recent

greenhouse research indicates that some plants previously counted as up to five

individuals may have been one single plant with a branched caudex (V. Yadon in

litt. 2002).

Research was conducted during 1998 and 1999 to explore environmental factors

that limit seed production and establishment, and how a limitation might vary

through the plants’ flowering season (Doak et al. 2000). Evidence for pollen

limitation of seed set was apparent and pollen augmentation also significantly

reduced the probability of reproductive failure (Doak et al. 2000). Reproductive

failure may exist if both pollinator visitation and pollen dispersal is low. Doak et

al. (2000) observed only one pollinator in the 2-year study (i.e., a small beetle). 

Additionally, this research discovered that developed, mature seed was found

significantly more frequently in plants that were within at least 50 centimeters (20

inches) of each other than in isolated plants (Doak et al. 2000).

Potentilla hickmanii will grow and bloom year-round under cultivated conditions. 

However, cultivated flowers that bloom later in the year tend not to set seed (V.
32

Yadon in litt. 2002). Plants with early flowers that were grown in a hot house set

seed apparently without benefit of pollinators (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

5. Reason for Listing

Potentilla hickmanii was listed as endangered on August 12, 1998 (U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service 1998). It was listed as endangered under the California

Endangered Species Act in September 1979 and is considered a California Native

Plant Society List 1B species (Skinner and Pavlik 1994).

At the time of its listing, Potentilla hickmanii was threatened by a proposed

residential development in the Del Monte Forest that would alter the hydrology of

the habitat (EIP Associates 1995). This development proposal is currently under

redesign to include approximately 38 residential sites versus the original proposal

of 300 homes. Species experts also believe that changes in hydrology have

occurred as a result of the Spyglass Hill Golf Course remodeling efforts that were

conducted in the late 1990's (M.A. Matthews, in litt. 2002). Extra water that

drains into the meadow remains longer into the year, thus supporting invasive

species such as Festuca arundinacea, Holcus lanatus ssp. balticus, and Juncus

sp., resulting in a very small population of P. hickmanii. These invasive species

appear to be competing with and crowding out P. hickmanii, thus suppressing the

survival and reproductive performance of young P. hickmanii plants (M.A.

Matthews in litt. 2002, H. Crowell pers. obs. 2001, Doak et al. 2000). An

enclosure exists around most of the population at Indian Village. Mowing and

heavy recreational use of suitable habitat surrounding the enclosure appears to

prevent P. hickmanii from expanding (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996, H.

Crowell pers. obs. 2001). However, surveys indicate that gopher activity in the

area may possibly improve habitat for P. hickmanii by removing competing

vegetation (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996).

Predation by a number of animal or insect species are ongoing threats to

Potentilla hickmanii. Browsing by deer likely reduces survivorship and

reproduction (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). High vole herbivory and soil

inundation may also cause adult plant mortality (Doak et al. 2000). High levels

of nonnative snail and slug damage have been observed on both vegetative and
33

reproductive structures, likely causing mortality and reducing growth and

reproduction (Doak et al. 2000). The extremely small number of individual

plants remaining at the Monterey site also make P. hickmanii vulnerable to

extirpation from random naturally occurring events, such as genetic drift, poor

years of reproduction, and tree fall.

As at the Monterey site, invasive nonnative species may be competing with

Potentilla hickmanii in San Mateo County (Ferreira 1995, Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996, B. Ertter in litt. 1997). Currently, competition from nonnative

species, grazing by livestock, low fecundity, potential future development, and

alteration of fire frequency and intensity threaten survival of this unprotected

population (T. Morosco in litt. 1997, B. Ertter in litt. 1997). However, some level

of cattle grazing likely benefits this species (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Therefore,

removal of grazing from this site could result in a reduction of plants.

6. Conservation Measures

The Pebble Beach Company has maintained management responsibilities for the

Monterey population at Indian Village, although ownership of the land was

transferred to the Del Monte Forest Foundation many years ago. This Indian

Village area is considered Environmentally Sensitive Habitat under the Del

Monte Forest Land Use Plan and will be protected and managed so as to promote

preservation and expansion of the current population (M. Zander in litt. 1996). 

The picnic area is available for use by residents and has been developed as an

outdoor recreation area. Recreational activities are no longer allowed within the

enclosure built around the majority of the population in the 1970's (M. Zander in

litt. 1996). However, recreational impacts continue surrounding this fenced area. 

In 1996, the Pebble Beach Company installed additional fencing with advisory

signs to protect this population from recreational activities and browsing by deer

(M. Zander in litt. 1996).

We funded experimental outplantings with clones and seedlings in both the picnic

area and at Carmello Meadows, Point Lobos State Reserve. Survival of

transplanted individuals at the picnic area was high during 1998 to 1999 and

somewhat lower for 1999 to 2000 (73 percent and 64 percent, respectively) (Doak
34

et al. 2000). Transplants at Point Lobos were less successful, with only 4 of 10

plants surviving into spring 1999, and none surviving into spring 2000 (Doak et

al. 2000). However, five individuals were planted at a single, less favorable site

with a dry, rocky substrate (Doak et al. 2000).

Jones and Stokes Associates conducted surveys in 1995 to determine suitable

sites for establishing new populations of Potentilla hickmanii. One site was

found at Point Lobos along Allen Road on land (i.e., Riley Ranch) belonging to

Big Sur Land Trust that is slated to be transferred to the California Department of

Parks and Recreation (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996, N. Nedeff, pers. comm.

2001). The area supports a wet meadow on Santa Ynez soils, making the site

similar to the Indian Village site. Potentilla hickmanii that originated from the

Indian Village population is being grown successfully by the Pebble Beach

Company and Vern Yadon. Seeds from these plants could be used to propagate

new or additional experimental populations at Point Lobos (Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996).

No conservation measures have been implemented to protect the Montara

population near Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County.

D. Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover)

Recovery Priority Number: 5C

1. Taxonomy and Description

Trifolium trichocalyx (Figure 7) was first collected by Amos A. Heller in 1903

following a fire 2 years earlier "in sandy pine woods about Pacific Grove" (Heller

1904). The species was described by Heller the following year (Heller 1904). 

Laura F. McDermott considered the taxon a variety of T. oliganthum in her

treatment of the genus (McDermott 1910), although this classification was not

recognized in subsequent floras. Axelrod (1982) reported at least one researcher

who suggested that Monterey clover was a sporadic hybrid between T.

microcephalum and T. variegatum and recommended removing it from the list of

Monterey endemic taxa. This view was challenged by V. Yadon (in litt. 1983)

who had grown T. trichocalyx and observed it consistently producing up to seven 
35

Figure 7. Illustration and photographs of Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey

clover). Drawing by Mary Ann Showers (used with permission by the California

Department of Fish and Game); photographs by Ronald Branson.
36

seeds per pod, while both putative parent plants were two-seeded taxa. Trifolium

trichocalyx has continued to be recognized as a distinct species by Abrams

(1944), Munz and Keck (1959), Howitt and Howell (1964), and Isely (1993), and

we accept it as such.

Trifolium trichocalyx is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). The genus

Trifolium is well-represented in North America, with approximately 50 species

recognized in California (Munz and Keck 1959) and 31 species currently

recognized as native (Isely 1993). Members of this herbaceous genus are

characterized by the palmately three-foliate leaves (hence the name Trifolium)

and flowers in spheroid or oblong heads.

Trifolium trichocalyx is a much-branched prostrate annual herb with leaflets that

are obovate-cuneate, 0.4 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inch) long, and have

truncate or shallowly notched ends. Numerous flowers are clustered into heads

subtended by a laciniate-toothed involucre. The involucre is quite small and starshaped with each division sharp-pointed and deeply cut (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). 

The calyces are 7 millimeters (0.3 inch) long, toothed, and conspicuously pilose. 

Purple corollas scarcely equal the length of the calyx and deciduous seed pods

enclose up to seven seeds. The plant can be quite inconspicuous, as the prostrate

branches may be only 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. However,

branches may reach a length of 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) with

favorable conditions (Abrams 1944). Branches from one large plant may spread

through forest litter and give the appearance of many plants. Most plants found in

the wild are depauperate with notched leaves and a reduced number of flowers

within the head (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

2. Distribution

The total distribution of Trifolium trichocalyx is not well known due to: 1) no

information having been collected at current known sites following most of the

historical fires prior to the plant being identified, and 2) few biologists being

comfortable in identification of clover species (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). Currently,

T. trichocalyx is found in only one area within the central portion of the Monterey

Peninsula (i.e., the Del Monte Forest at Huckleberry Hill). The mapped area
37

covers approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) (Ferreira 1995). Only scattered

individuals were reported within forest openings or edges in this area by

Theodore Niehaus in 1973 and 1979, and by V. Yadon in 1980 (California

Natural Diversity Data Base 1997a). A number of plants are presumed to have

been extirpated when Poppy Hills Golf Course was developed in 1980. Other T.

trichocalyx plants were located within the boundaries of the Samuel F.B. Morse

Botanical Reserve.

In 1988, surveyors found no Trifolium trichocalyx plants at the locations

previously reported by Niehaus and Yadon. However, several hundred to 1,000

plants were scattered in an area that burned in 1987 near Huckleberry Hill and

historical locations (M. Griggs in litt. 1988, V. Yadon in litt. 1992). Surveys of

this same burned area conducted in 1996 located 2 sites containing a total of 22

plants (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). The largest past and present

occurrences of T. trichocalyx appear to be situated between Haul Road and

Costanilla Way. A seedbank is expected to exist in the soil in those locations

where the plants were found in 1988 (Forest Maintenance Standard 1990, Jones

and Stokes Associates 1996).

3. Habitat Requirements

Trifolium trichocalyx is a classic fire-follower, taking advantage of reduced forest

cover that allows a significantly higher proportion of light to reach the herbaceous

ground cover for the first few years after a fire. Trifolium trichocalyx becomes

scarce when the forest canopy closes, persisting primarily as a seed bank in the

soil while shade and competition increase during succession of the forest

community.

The majority of Trifolium trichocalyx occurrences documented during 1988 and

1996 were on slopes ranging from 15 to 30 percent grade (Ferreira 1995; Jones

and Stokes Associates 1996). The taxon occurs in openings within Monterey pine

forest on poorly-drained Narlon loamy fine sand, and on well-drained Sheridan

coarse loamy sand. These soils support a thin or loamy sand upper surface

underlain by highly compacted sandy clay (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996,

U.S. Department of Agriculture 2001). Following the 1987 fire, all healthy
38

populations were under dead Monterey pines in well-drained, deep soils (V.

Yadon in litt. 2002). Herbaceous species associated with T. trichocalyx include

Avena barbata (slender wild oat), Vulpia sp., Bromus hordeaceous (brome),

Erechtites argula (Australian fireweed), and Trifolium microdon (thimble clover)

(Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). Typical woody species commonly

associated with T. trichocalyx are Pinus radiata, Arctostaphylos hookeri,

Arctostaphylos tomentosa (shaggy-barked manzanita), and Vaccinium ovatum

(huckleberry). In areas where T. trichocalyx occurs within pygmy forest,

associated plants include Pinus muricata and Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana.

4. Life History/Ecology

Trifolium trichocalyx appears to regenerate in large numbers during spring

following a fire that removes the dense vegetative cover that shelters its seed

bank. Trifolium trichocalyx populations will decline as shrubs and seedlings

overshadow the plants as the forest begins to recover following a fire. Trifolium

trichocalyx appeared after the 1901 fire and again after the 1987 fire, thus

possibly harboring a seed bank capable of surviving more than 90 years. Recent

studies indicate light as the only germination requirement (Doak et al. 2000). 

However, seeds buried in the soil at Huckleberry Hill may require different

germination cues than those seeds used in germination experiments because

experimental seeds were never buried (Doak et al. 2000).

Trifolium trichocalyx flowers between April and June. Small bees are likely

pollinators as they are with other Trifolium clover species, although no pollinators

were observed in previous studies (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996).

Additionally, scarification may stimulate some Trifolium trichocalyx to bloom

between fires (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

5. Reason for Listing

Trifolium trichocalyx was listed as endangered on August 12, 1998 (U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service 1998). It was listed as endangered under the California

Endangered Species Act in November 1979. The California Native Plant Society
39

considers this plant rare and endangered in California (List 1B) (Skinner and

Pavlik 1994).

The most significant threat to the population of Trifolium trichocalyx on the

Monterey Peninsula has been the loss of potential habitat from urban and

recreational (e.g., golf course) development. Further research is needed to

determine the extent of the remaining suitable habitat that may harbor a seed

bank. Jones and Stokes Associates (1996) estimated that habitat has declined

from 710 hectares (1,754 acres) to the current extent of 218 hectares (539 acres). 

This acreage figure was estimated using data from Jones and Stokes Associates

(1994), which examined vegetation and soils on different geomorphic surfaces of

the Monterey Peninsula. Additionally, fire suppression is a serious concern. 

Natural fire cycles are suppressed due to close proximity of residential buildings

to the current population. For this fire-follower to survive between fire cycles,

the plant’s habitat and seed bank must remain relatively intact and undisturbed. 

Extinction of T. trichocalyx is very possible due to the small amount of remaining

habitat and the ephemeral nature (i.e., the short vegetative and flowering state) of

the plant's reappearance after fires.

6. Conservation Measures

The Huckleberry Hill Natural Area and Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve

comprise over 162 hectares (400 acres) of permanently dedicated natural open

space within the Del Monte Forest. Because of the species’ rarity, the location

where Trifolium trichocalyx plants were last found was excluded from a

development proposal submitted by the Pebble Beach Company to Monterey

County in July 2001 (T. Grove, California Coastal Commission in litt. 2000, D.

Messenger, Lombardo and Gilles, PLC, in litt. 2002). Since the Pebble Beach

Company’s initial proposal, new information has been developed and the project

description has changed (D. Messenger in litt. 2002). However, additional

unprotected, surrounding lands with the appropriate habitat conditions may

possibly harbor a seed bank for this species. Therefore, additional research to

determine the extent of a seedbank is necessary to determine if the loss of this

potential habitat is not a threat to the species.
40

A number of research studies and management measures have occurred within the

Del Monte Forest to aid in recovery of this species (Jones and Stokes Associates

1996, Doak et al. 2000), including research funded by us (the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service) through the California Department of Fish and Game. The

studies have included determination of germination requirements, tests for

presence of seed banks, experimental establishment of new populations, and seed

sowing techniques (Doak et al. 2000). Additionally, Dr. Vern Yadon has

successfully grown plants from seed in pots without the use of heat treatment

(Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). This method could aid in experimental

plantings in suitable habitat areas.

E. Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Gowen cypress)

Recovery Priority Number: 9C

1. Taxonomy and Description

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (Figure 8) and its close relative C.

goveniana ssp. pigmaea (Mendocino cypress) were historically distributed along

the coast from Mendocino County to the mountains of San Diego County. 

Cupressus goveniana was discovered in 1846 by Karl Theodor Hartweg who

arrived in California on a British expedition. Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana was named “Gowen cypress” to commemorate the services to

horticulture of James Robert Gowen (Sargent 1896).

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is a small coniferous tree in the cypress

family (Cupressaceae). It generally reaches a height between 5 and 7 meters (17

to 23 feet) (Munz and Keck 1959), though Griffin noted one individual that was

10 meters (33 feet) high at Huckleberry Hill (Griffin and Critchfield 1976). The

sparsely branched tree forms a short, broad crown with a spread of 2 to 4 meters

(7 to 13 feet). The bark is brown to gray in color and is generally smooth,

although it becomes rough and fibrous on old trees. The scale-like foliage is a

light rich green, with leaves 1 to 2 millimeters long (0.04 to 0.08 inch). The

female cones are subglobose, 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 in) long, and

produce 90 to 110 dark brown to black seeds (Wolf and Wagener 1948, Bartel

1993). Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is distinguished from its close 
41

Figure 8. Illustrations and photograph of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana

(Gowen cypress). Illustrations reprinted from 1) The Jepson Manual, J. Hickman,

Ed., 1993, with permission from the Jepson Herbarium, © Regents of the

University of California.; and 2) Manual of the Trees of North America, public

domain.

 The Jepson Manual

The Manual of Trees of North America Photo taken by Beatrice F. Howitt,

 © California Academy of Sciences
42

relative C. g. ssp. pigmaea (pygmy or Mendocino cypress) by its much taller

stature, the lack of a long, whip-like terminal shoot, and light to yellow-green

rather than dark dull green foliage (Bartel 1993).

2. Distribution

Only two natural stands of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana are known,

although individuals can be found locally in cultivation. No historical

distribution beyond these two sites is known. One population is on Huckleberry

Hill on the western side of the Monterey Peninsula (Del Monte Forest stand), and

another is approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Huckleberry Hill on the

north side of Gibson Creek and inland of the Point Lobos Peninsula (Point Lobos

stand). Both stands are on lands designated as permanent open space for

preservation of native habitat. However, scattered groups of trees (due to

fragmentation by golf courses and residential development) that radiate out from

the Del Monte Forest stand are on Pebble Beach Company lands within recently

proposed residential and recreational developments (T. Grove in litt. 2000). 

Some of these trees were planted by the Pebble Beach Company in the early

1990's as part of a restoration project (D. Messenger in litt. 2002).

The Del Monte Forest stand is the largest stand and covers approximately 40

hectares (100 acres), with individuals scattered within 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) of

the main stand. The stand is on lands owned by the Pebble Beach Company and

the Del Monte Forest Foundation. A large portion of the Del Monte Forest stand

is within a 34-hectare (84-acre) area designated by the Pebble Beach Company as

the Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve and donated to the Del Monte Forest

Foundation in 1976. Patches of crowded, poorly developed individuals were cut

for posts in the past, making it difficult to determine the original extent of the

grove (Wolf and Wagener 1948). 

The second, smaller stand of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana (the Point

Lobos stand), occurs on a 60-hectare (150-acre) parcel acquired by the California

Department of Parks and Recreation (Point Lobos State Reserve) in 1962. This

stand is approximately 16 to 32 hectares (40 to 80 acres) in size. The very
43

western edge of the stand is on land (i.e., Riley Ranch) purchased by the Big Sur

Land Trust from a private owner.

3. Habitat Requirements

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana occurs in mixed conifer forest and maritime

chaparral habitats. Within the chaparral habitat, C. goveniana ssp. goveniana

grows in a dense, dwarf or pygmy forest. Pygmy forest habitat is made up of

stunted Pinus muricata (Bishop pine), Pinus radiata, and chaparral shrubs such as

Arctostaphylos tomentosa, A. hookeri, and Vaccinium ovatum (Jones and Stokes

Associates 1996). Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana can also occur alone, in a

mixed stand with P. muricata, or as scattered individuals within P. muricata

stands. At the Point Lobos stand, individuals grow within Monterey pine forest

and scattered among maritime chaparral species, including A. tomentosa, A.

hookeri, and Adenostoma fasciculatum. It survives best in full sunlight on bare

mineral soils with no plant cover or litter, with reproduction generally restricted

to burned areas (Vogl et al. 1988).

Soil types vary between the two occurrences of Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana. Within the pygmy forest on the Monterey Peninsula, C. goveniana

ssp. goveniana occurs where claypan or hardpan soils are shallow, acidic,

strongly leached, and poorly drained (Griffin and Critchfield 1976, Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996). The Point Lobos stand occurs on Cieneba soils on the

inland granitic bedrock geologic formation (Jones and Stokes Associates 1996). 

While C. goveniana ssp. goveniana can grow in a variety of habitats with minor 

disturbances, it apparently requires mineral soil surfaces and unshaded conditions

for successful recruitment (Doak et al. 2000). These soil surfaces tend to be 

podzolic, stabilized sand dunes with a caliche-like, impermeable layer (M.

Stromberg in litt. 2002).

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is a fire-adapted species. Although there is

only general information available on the phenology and seed production of this

species, observations indicate that cones open and release seeds in response to

intense heat (e.g., fire) and during periods of hot, dry weather. Additionally,

some researchers suggest that cones open with age (Doak et al. 2000). Studies
44

during 1998 and 1999 indicated that the important role of fire is to remove

vegetation to bare mineral soil (Doak et al. 2000), allowing light to penetrate the

area and allow for seedling establishment. At least three fires have burned

portions of the Del Monte Forest stand in the last 100 years: 1) a large fire

burned most of the stand in 1901 (Coleman 1905, Dunning 1916 as cited in Vogl

et al. 1988), 2) the northern portion of the stand apparently burned in 1959

(California Natural Diversity Data Base 1997b), and 3) the most recent fire

burned the south central portion of the population in 1987. Regeneration of C.

goveniana ssp. goveniana occurred after each of these fire events.

4. Life History/Ecology

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is a fire-adapted species. Regeneration is

generally rapid and prolific with thousands of seedlings covering the ground

surface the spring following a fire (V. Yadon in litt. 2002). The likely effects of

fire that are relevant to natural regeneration include soil mineralization, increase

of light penetration to the forest floor, removal of competing vegetation,

synchronized opening of many cones (i.e., abundant and synchronized seed

release from many parent trees), changes in soil pH, and soil sterilization (D.

Rogers in litt. 2002).

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana possesses cones that remain sealed and

attached to trees following a second season when seeds are mature. Seeds are

dispersed upon mechanical removal from the tree, death of the tree or supporting

branch, when heat from fire breaks the cones’ resinous seal and allows seeds to

escape, or during hot, dry weather. Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is also

wind pollinated. Natural seed dispersal occurs during September and October,

although seeds are not light enough to be carried far from the parent plant

(Sudworth 1967). Light and bare mineral soils are also needed by C. goveniana

ssp. goveniana for seedling establishment (Vogl et al. 1988). Seedling mortality

is higher due to fungal infections in areas with herbaceous cover (Vogl et al.

1988).

Recent studies were conducted to examine the species’ range, recruitment

patterns, and age structure (Doak et al. 2000). No pattern of distribution was
45

clearly obtained, and age estimates were difficult to obtain for the following

reasons: 1) Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana grows slowly when trees are in

close proximity to each other or are growing on poor soils, making it difficult to

resolve individual ring boundaries; and 2) a number of trees at the Gibson Creek

site displayed two separate ring boundaries within a calendar year, possibly a

result of early growth during warm winters followed by the usual expected

growth of wood during spring (Doak et al. 2000). However, most of these “false”

rings could be distinguished.

A number of trees were cored at different sites to better understand demography

across the different habitats. Results of this study showed fairly distinct

differences between age structure of trees in the mixed pine and chaparral

habitats. Trees (representing most age classes including younger trees) in the

mixed pine habitat were more even-aged than those in chaparral habitat (Doak et

al. 2000). The chaparral habitat harbored Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana in

older age classes, with approximately 30 percent of the population between the

age of 75 and 85 years (Doak et al. 2000). Observations of seedling and sapling

recruitment showed a similar trend. Although recruitment was evident in all

mixed pine sites, less than half the chaparral sites had recruitment of any kind

(Doal et al. 2000). This result indicates that chaparral plant communities most

likely limit the amount and extent of recruitment potential. The maximum age of

trees at Huckleberry Hill and the Gibson Creek sites were approximately 85 to

127 years as estimated in 1998 and 1999 (Doak et al. 2000), suggesting that

management for disturbances to allow recruitment should occur a minimum of

every 85 years (although these longevities may be site and habitat specific) (Doak

et al. 2000).

No information is available on the genetic diversity of this species. However,

there are genetic studies for several congeneric species that can offer some

insight. Genetic studies of Cupressus macrocarpa, a species with similar

distribution to C. goveniana ssp. goveniana, revealed considerable genetic

diversity (Kafton 1976, Conkle 1987). Additionally, C. macrocarpa shows

considerable genetic differentiation between the two populations and between

groups of stands within these populations (e.g., genetic differences between the

western and eastern stands within the Point Lobos population) (Conkle 1987). A
46

study of C. forbesii (tecate cypress) suggested genetic diversity within this

species is somewhat lower than in Pinus radiata, which occurs in close proximity

to C. goveniana ssp. goveniana. The study also showed strong genetic

differentiation among populations and subpopulations, as well as a positive

correlation between genetic diversity and mean fire interval of the subpopulations

(Truesdale and McClenaghan 1998). In the absence of direct information for C.

goveniana ssp. goveniana, some reasonable inferences about its genetic diversity

could be made. Specifically and until shown otherwise, researchers believe the

two populations of C. goveniana ssp. goveniana should be managed as genetically

distinct (D. Rogers in litt. 2002). The different soil types and vegetative

associations of the two populations give further suggestion that there may be

genetic differences. Additionally, there may be significant genetic differentiation

among some stands within populations, particularly where C. goveniana ssp.

goveniana grows in two differing habitats in the Point Lobos population (i.e., in

mixed pine and chaparral habitats). Studies from the two congeneric species

demonstrate that genetic differentiation over short spatial scales is possible within

the genus.

5. Reason for Listing

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana was listed as threatened on August 12, 1998

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). It is not listed as threatened or endangered

under the California Endangered Species Act. The California Native Plant

Society considers this species to be rare and endangered in California (List 1B)

(Skinner and Pavlik 1994).

This species is threatened by habitat alteration due to the influence of continued

urban development in Pebble Beach, induced drainage of its podzolic soils, and

the disruption of natural fire cycles resulting from fire suppression activities. 

Additional threats may include urban edge effects, ongoing impacts from air

pollution and climate change, possible genetic contamination from planted native,

local (and possibly nonlocal) trees, current and increasing presence of nonnative

invasive plant species, and risk of mortality from introduced insects or disease.
47

Despite measures taken to protect the stand of Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana at the Del Monte Forest (e.g., establishment of the Samuel F.B. Morse

Reserve), opportunities for maintaining a viable long-term population (i.e., a

population that is stable or increasing based on multiple years of monitoring) of

this taxon may be compromised by the site's close proximity to urbanization. A

portion (i.e., approximately 840 trees) of the Del Monte Forest stand was removed

during the early 1980's for construction of the Poppy Hills Golf Course (U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service 1998). Although the lands on which the majority of the

remaining C. goveniana ssp. goveniana trees grow will not be developed,

potential residential development that may occur on all sides of the stand could

reduce the opportunity for functioning ecosystem processes that are needed for

stand regeneration. Also, maintenance of existing fire roads within the Del

Monte Forest stand could potentially reduce the current C. goveniana ssp.

goveniana population by destroying seedlings or adult trees. However, the

Pebble Beach Company currently is unaware of any pending projects requiring

expansion of existing fire roads (D. Messenger in litt. 2002). 

Due to the physical inaccessibility of the Point Lobos stand and the Reserve's

mandate to protect sensitive plant taxa, this stand is less affected by human

disturbance than the Del Monte Forest stand. However, public access to this area

may occur in the future.

Stands of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana at both locations have been

invaded by aggressive nonnative species, including Cortaderia sp., Genista

monspessulana, and Erechtites sp. (fireweed) (Forest Maintenance Standard

1990; K. Gray, California Department of Parks and Recreation, pers. comm.

1997). An increase in such invasive nonnative plants will undoubtedly alter the

composition of the plant community and may adversely affect C. goveniana ssp.

goveniana regeneration. Additionally, threats exist due to: 1) the small

population size, 2) potential impacts from insects or diseases that the species may

have little natural resistance or tolerance, and 3) intercrossing between individuals

from stocks adapted to other localities (D. Rogers in litt. 2002).

Tree species in coastal California habitats tend to contribute to the habitat of other

species through provision of moisture (e.g., fog condensation, shade, etc.)
48

(Dawson 1998). Thus, loss of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana could

critically affect understory species where cypress is the only or predominant

overstory species.

6. Conservation Measures

Both occurrences of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana are located on fairly

protected sites (i.e., little to no human disturbance associated with development)

that are largely conservation-oriented. However, some of the Del Monte Forest

stand occurs on unpreserved lands owned by the Pebble Beach Company. 

Whereas the Point Lobos stand has been acquired by the Point Lobos State

Reserve, the majority of the Del Monte Forest stand is on lands owned by the

Pebble Beach Company that are designated as “forested open space” in the

Huckleberry Hill Open Space area, through a conservation easement held by the

Del Monte Forest Foundation. The purpose of the Del Monte Forest Foundation,

originally established as the Del Monte Foundation in 1961 by the Pebble Beach

Company, is to "acquire, accept, maintain, and manage lands in the Del Monte

Forest which are dedicated to open space and greenbelt" (Penick in litt. 1992). 

The Pebble Beach Company’s most recent initiative (i.e., the Del Monte Forest

Preservation and Development Plan, July 2001) was redesigned to affect a smaller

portion of the C. goveniana ssp. goveniana population at Del Monte Forest than

was previously proposed (T. Grove in litt. 2000). 
49

III. RECOVERY

A. Objectives and Criteria

This section of the recovery plan outlines the management actions and research

needed to protect all five listed taxa addressed in this recovery plan. The

objective of the recovery plan is to minimize the threats to the species and their

habitats, with the primary goal of removing them from the list of threatened and

endangered species.

Reclassification to threatened status for Astragalus tener var. titi, Potentilla

hickmanii, Piperia yadonii, and Trifolium trichocalyx can occur before delisting. 

Downlisting to threatened status can be considered if habitat currently occupied

by these species has been secured (i.e., protected in perpetuity, for example

through conservation easements), and if management measures are implemented,

populations are monitored, and an adequate reduction in threats has been

documented. The recovery actions for each of the five species are outlined in the

stepdown narrative immediately following the objectives listed below. Appendix

C links recovery criteria to the five listing factors and the recovery actions.

1. Astragalus tener var. titi

The status of this species is so critical at this point that the immediate objective is

to prevent extinction. Further losses of existing plants and the species’ habitat

should be avoided, and threats to its survival should be eliminated. Recovery

criteria will be revised and delisting criteria will be developed after management

is underway and specific data become available relating to population viability,

effects of altered drainage, effects of exotic species, and roles of competitor

plants.

Downlisting for Astragalus tener var. titi can be considered when all of the

following criteria have been achieved: 

a) At least five viable populations (i.e., populations that are stable or

increasing based on multiple years of monitoring, including at least two

populations in San Diego or Los Angeles Counties) occur on suitable
50

habitat with few to no nonnative competitors, and no threats from

trampling. The area surrounding each population should allow for

movement and expansion.

b) A minimum of five populations are on land that is permanently protected

from development (e.g., residential, commercial, recreational, etc.)

including the population that currently exists on Pebble Beach and

Monterey Peninsula Country Club property. Funds must be available for

appropriate long-term management. Protected habitat must be of adequate

size and configuration to ensure that ecosystem and community processes

(i.e., hydrologic regime, food webs, pollinator fauna, coastal dune

community associates, and associated species) are maintained, and an

adequate diversity of sites exist for colonization of new areas as

microhabitat conditions change.

c) Site selection, restoration, and plant reintroduction has been initiated in at

least two historical localities in Los Angeles or San Diego Counties. 

These two reintroduced populations will be considered as part of the five

populations of plants described in 1(a) and 1(b) above.

d) The populations of plants are being adequately maintained, such that

encroachment by nonnative plants, excessive herbivory, fire prevention

activities, or other threats are not negatively affecting Astragalus tener

var. titi directly or indirectly.

e) The 17-Mile Drive population and additional populations have been

appropriately managed such that monitoring has determined that these

populations are stable or increasing for a minimum of 3 consecutive years.

f) A seed bank has been established at a recognized institution that is

certified by the Center for Plant Conservation.

2. Piperia yadonii

The current recovery objective for Piperia yadonii is reclassification to threatened

status. Further loss of existing plants and the species’ habitat should be avoided,
51

and threats to its survival should be eliminated. Recovery criteria will be revised

and delisting criteria will be developed after management is underway and

specific data become available relating to population size and viability, habitat

requirements, and fragmentation effects.

Downlisting for Piperia yadonii can be considered when all of the following

criteria have been achieved:

a) Secure and protect areas throughout the present range of Piperia yadonii

that contain populations of sufficient size to ensure the long-term survival

and recovery of the species. In the draft recovery plan, we stated that

areas should be established that encompass and protect metapopulations of

the P. yadonii; however, the information needed to define and delineate

metapopulations is not available at this time. Until sufficient information

is available for a metapopulation approach to P. yadonii conservation (see

Recovery Strategy section), we have identified areas and populations of

plants that need to be protected to accomplish the goal of downlisting the

species. To facilitate the identification of these areas and populations, we

have divided the current range of the species into five geographic areas

based on the known distribution of the plant (California Natural Diversity

Data Base 2004): the Monterey Peninsula (Area 1), the area interior of the

Monterey Peninsula (Area 2), northern Monterey County-PrunedaleElkhorn (Area 3), the area east of Point Lobos State Reserve-Point Lobos

Ranch (Area 4), and Palo Colorado Canyon (Area 5). The goal is to

protect self-sustaining populations of P. yadonii in each of these five

areas. By doing so, we will ensure both the preservation of the plant

throughout its range and its representation in both of the community types

in which it is known to occur (Monterey pine forest and maritime

chaparral). A minimum of 12 populations will require protection: four in

Area 1, three each in Areas 2 and 3, and one each in Areas 4 and 5. The

two largest populations of P. yadonii occur in Area 1, and both of these

populations should be protected to the maximum extent feasible. 

However, if this is not feasible, additional protected areas may be required

in Area 1. These additional areas would be necessary to ensure an

adequate number of individuals are protected and that Monterey Pine
52

Forest habitat occupied by P. yadonii is adequately represented. The

protected areas must be of adequate size and configuration to ensure the

following: 1) maintenance of ecosystem and community processes and

constituent species (e.g., hydrologic regime, drainage patterns, proximity

to pollinator habitat, Monterey pine forest and maritime chaparral

community associates); 2) continued, unimpeded gene flow between

populations, either through wind-dispersed seed or animal-mediated

pollen exchange; 3) an adequate diversity of sites for population

expansion and for colonization of new areas as microhabitat conditions

change; and 4) the persistence of P. yadonii populations throughout the

full range of environmental conditions they are likely to encounter (e.g.,

extended drought, wildfire). Protected areas should be as large as possible

(e.g., hundreds of acres) and configured such that they preserve ecosystem

function and minimize the adverse influences of adjacent development. 

Protected areas of greater than a hundred acres will not be feasible at all

locations; therefore, the ability of smaller areas to fulfill the criteria should

also be considered. Adequate, long-term funding should be available for

these protected areas to allow for their maintenance.

b) Protected areas are adequately maintained, such that encroachment by

non-native plants (e.g., Genital monspessulana, Cortaderia jubata),

excessive herbivory (from deer and rabbits), edge effects from road

maintenance, fuel modification activities, or other threats do not directly

or indirectly adversely affect Piperia yadonii and its habitat.

c) Results of monitoring activities have determined that the protected

populations of Piperia yadonii are of adequate size to be self-sustaining

and to ensure their long-term persistence. Because this species is a

perennial that exhibits dormancy, spending an undetermined period

underground between seed germination and emergence of first leaf aboveground, it is likely that a minimum of 10 to 15 years of monitoring will be

needed in order to define a population trend. 
53

3. Potentilla hickmanii

The status of this species is so critical that the immediate objective is to prevent

extinction. Further losses of existing plants and the species’ habitat should be

avoided, and threats to its survival should be eliminated. Recovery criteria will

be revised and delisting criteria will be developed after management is underway

and specific data become available relating to population viability, greenhouse

techniques for increasing seed supplies, techniques for enhancing survival and

reproduction, limits of seed dispersal, and pollinator limitations.

Downlisting for Potentilla hickmanii can be considered when all of the following

criteria have been achieved:

a) At least five viable populations (i.e., populations that are stable or

increasing based on a minimum of 10 years of monitoring) occur in

suitable habitat.

b) All five of the sites are on land that is protected from human-induced

disturbance. Funds must be available for appropriate long-term

management. As determined by research, protected habitat must be of

adequate size (large enough to support a functioning ecosystem [e.g.,

species present to support seed dispersal and pollination, areas that

support fluctuating distributions, areas that harbor suitable unoccupied

habitat for population expansion]) and configuration to ensure that

ecosystem and community processes and associated species (e.g.,

hydrologic regime, food webs, pollinator fauna, forest meadow

communities) are maintained, and that an adequate diversity of sites exist

for population expansion and for colonization of new areas as

microhabitat conditions change. One of these protected sites should be the

Indian Village population; another should be the Montara population in

San Mateo County.

c) Surrounding vegetation has been managed for a reduction of nonnative

plant species and nonnative snails and slugs. The populations should be

adequately maintained, such that encroachments by nonnative plants and
54

herbivorous predators (including deer) are not negatively affecting

Potentilla hickmanii directly or indirectly.

d) The populations have been appropriately managed to such a degree that

monitoring has determined the populations are of adequate size, density,

and number that the trend for each of the populations is projected to be

stable or increasing in the future.

e) A seed bank has been established at a recognized institution certified by

the Center for Plant Conservation.

4. Trifolium trichocalyx

The status of this species is so critical that the immediate objective is to prevent

extinction. Further losses of existing plants and its habitat should be avoided, and

threats to its survival should be eliminated. Recovery criteria will be revised and

delisting criteria will be developed after management is underway and specific

data become available relating to presence of seed banks, germination,

recruitment, and prescribed burn strategies.

Downlisting for Trifolium trichocalyx can be considered when all of the following

criteria have been achieved:

a) At least five viable populations (i.e., populations that are stable or

increasing based on a minimum of 12 years of monitoring) occur in

suitable habitat. One of these populations is the Huckleberry Hill

population.

b) All five of the sites are on land that is protected from human-induced

disturbance (i.e. development, recreation) that would negatively affect

growth or reproduction of the plants. Funds must be available for

appropriate long-term management. As determined by research, protected

habitat must be of adequate size (large enough to support a functioning

ecosystem [e.g., species present to support seed dispersal and pollination,

areas that support fluctuating distributions, areas that harbor suitable

unoccupied habitat for population expansion]) and configuration to ensure
55

that ecosystem and community processes and associated species (e.g.,

hydrologic regime, fire, food webs, pollinator fauna, Monterey pine forest

communities) are maintained, and that an adequate diversity of sites exist

for population expansion and for colonization of new areas as

microhabitat conditions change.

c) The Huckleberry Hill population and four additional viable populations

(as described in (a) above) have been managed so as to allow regeneration

of plants and replenishment of the seed bank found in the soil within the

protected habitat. 

d) A seed bank has been established at a recognized institution certified by

the Center for Plant Conservation.

5. Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana

The recovery objective for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is for the

populations to recover sufficiently to warrant removing this species from the list

of threatened and endangered species. Further loss of existing trees and their

habitat should be avoided, and threats to the species survival should be

eliminated. If these steps are not achieved, reclassification to endangered status

may be warranted. Although two separate stands are managed with conservation

objectives, many of the threats (e.g., fire suppression, exotic invasive plant

species, edge effects, introduced diseases, etc.) remain and future negative

impacts (e.g., effects from public access, new invasive exotic plant species, etc.)

are likely. The cumulative impact from these influences, plus random natural

occurrences, could cause extirpation of this subspecies. Delisting for C.

goveniana ssp. goveniana can be considered when all of the following criteria

have been achieved:

a) Monitoring of the Del Monte Forest population and the Point Lobos

population for a minimum of 10 years (or longer if needed) shows longterm reproductive success in both populations. As determined by

research, protected habitat must be of adequate size (large enough to

support a functioning ecosystem, including areas that support suitable

unoccupied habitat for population expansion and fluctuations in
56

distribution) to ensure that ecosystem and community processes and

associated species (e.g., hydrologic regime, fire, food webs, fauna,

Monterey pine forest communities) are maintained, and that the locations

are adequate to provide for population expansion and for colonization of

new areas as microhabitat conditions change.

b) Twelve or more years (or possibly as much as one generation) of

monitoring have determined that successful recruitment has caused an

increase in overall size of both populations. Regeneration success should

be measured in terms of abundant natural regeneration (with parental

contributions from many trees for genetic purposes) and measured directly

with genetic analysis if possible.

c) A prescribed burn plan is established to improve surrounding habitat to

reduce high vegetative cover and promote recruitment, or research has

documented an alternative method to burning that is successful in

promoting reproduction. Appropriate management to improve the

surrounding habitat would need to be successfully implemented. Funds

must be available for appropriate long-term management.

d) A seed bank is established at a recognized institution certified by the

Center for Plant Conservation. The seed bank is needed for protection of

the species in case of an unforeseen naturally occurring event that would

create a lack of reproduction or die-off from disease. Seeds should

represent the remaining genetic diversity of the species and the viability

(i.e., germination percentage) of the seed collection should be determined.

B. Recovery Strategy

The taxa addressed in this recovery plan are restricted both geographically and by

available habitat. The distribution of Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii,

Trifolium trichocalyx, and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana are overlapping,

while Astragalus tener var. titi occurs within 30 meters (100 feet) of the ocean

surf zone. In general, recovery efforts should be focused on conserving Monterey

pine forest and maritime chaparral habitat, open meadow communities that occur
57

within and around Monterey pine forests, and coastal dune habitat exposed to

ocean sprays and periodic saturation. 

Because these taxa exist primarily on privately owned land, cooperation with the

landowners is critical to their conservation. Habitat acquisition and/or

appropriate management agreements will be necessary to protect habitat areas

from loss to urban or recreational development. Various other threats (e.g.,

browsing, unsuitable regimes of disturbance through fire or trampling, hydrologic

alterations, competition from native or non-native plants) affect particular taxa

and need to be addressed in management plans. Where suitable management

methods to address threats are uncertain, research should be undertaken to

identify methods as appropriate. Concurrently, monitoring programs should be

implemented to track population trends and threats and evaluate recovery

progress relative to benchmarks. Suitable habitat in the area should be surveyed

to identify any undiscovered populations. Recommendations resulting from

research and monitoring should be adaptively incorporated into management

plans and future revisions of this recovery plan. Because known populations of

Astragalus tener var. titi, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx are

particularly few and small, they are vulnerable to extinction through

environmental and demographic variability. Therefore unoccupied habitat in the

area should be assessed for its suitability for reintroduction efforts, and new

populations should be established where appropriate. To contact private

landowners and encourage conservation of these taxa, public outreach efforts that

include land management recommendations should be implemented in

conjunction with city and county governments. 

The actions needed to achieve recovery are as follows:

1. Secure and protect existing populations and habitats that occur on private or

unprotected lands.

Trifolium trichocalyx and most Astragalus tener var. titi plants currently exist

within unsecured habitat on Pebble Beach Company and/or Monterey Peninsula

Country Club property. Additionally, according to Allen (1996), 67 percent of

the Piperia yadonii population is found on land owned by the Pebble Beach

Company and Del Monte Forest Foundation, and one of two locations where
58

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana is found occurs on Pebble Beach Company

property (part of which is protected by a conservation easement between the

Pebble Beach Company and the Del Monte Forest Foundation). The San Mateo

County population of Potentilla hickmanii is also located on private land. A

strong relationship needs to be formed between agencies and these landowners (in

addition to any other private landowners) to ensure that habitat is secured and

protected from development for all five listed species.

Protection of habitat can be achieved through several means. Because the

primary threat to these taxa is loss of habitat resulting from residential and

recreational development, these activities should be curtailed or reduced

significantly in appropriate habitat areas or relocated to reduce current threats. 

Agencies such as the California Coastal Commission, the County of Monterey,

and the County of San Mateo should use their authorities to ensure that future

development does not affect habitat for these taxa, including the use of

conservation easements and other tools. In addition to regulating future activities,

all interested parties, including us; the California Department of Fish and Game;

the California Department of Parks and Recreation; the Counties of Monterey,

San Mateo, Sonoma, Los Angeles and San Diego; the Cities of Monterey,

Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pacific Grove; Pebble Beach Company; and other

nongovernmental organizations (e.g., the California Native Plant Society, Big Sur

Land Trust, the Del Monte Forest Foundation) should work together to acquire

high priority parcels to add to current conservation areas.

2. Manage private and secured lands to control or eliminate threats to existing

populations and their habitat.

The immediate objective for these species (in particular Astragalus tener var. titi,

Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx) is to prevent extinction. 

Populations and their habitats on both private and protected lands should be

managed to ensure that ecosystem processes vital to the long-term survival of the

taxa are maintained. This management should include eliminating threats that are

directly or indirectly affecting each of the species to such a degree that successful

reproduction and seedling survival are not impaired. Although the Del Monte

Forest Land Use Plan and Open Space Advisory Committee guidelines have

already been developed for the Pebble Beach area, these documents should be
59

revised to reflect ongoing and new threats for each of the listed species. 

Additionally, species-specific management plans should be developed that

identify management activities that maintain ecosystem functioning. These

activities include prescribed burns, control of nonnative plants, control of

herbivory, maintenance of appropriate hydrology, and control of residential and

recreational activities that would cause soil erosion and adverse effects from

herbicide or pesticide runoff.

3. Stimulate research on the biology of these species. Develop management

strategies based on life-history research and species responses to vegetation

management.

Research (e.g., autecology, fire ecology, genetics, etc.) on the subject taxa will

contribute to a greater understanding of what individual taxa require for long-term

survival. Research will also contribute to the development and revision of more

appropriate management goals. For Piperia yadonii, research should focus on

developing a metapopulation approach to the conservation of the species. 

Working groups should be established to collaborate with affected landowners

and interested parties to develop specific guidelines that will aid in effective

management

4. Determine other potentially suitable habitat areas that should be surveyed

for additional populations, or that can be used for reestablishment or

reintroduction of populations.

Should additional populations of the plant taxa in this recovery plan be located as

a result of future surveys, these populations should be evaluated to assess

appropriate conservation measures. Additionally, other potentially suitable

habitat areas in the range of the taxa should be identified and considered for

establishment of new populations. Consideration should be given to acquiring

adjacent lands to allow dispersal opportunities for existing plants through natural

processes. Reestablishment should be considered throughout the historic range of

the plant taxa to include sites of suitable habitat areas where no historical

occurrences have been documented. Such reestablishment could occur when

habitat conditions are suitable, similar site factors exist, and no other potentially

suitable habitat is available. Clear protocols and success criteria should be

established for new, reestablished, or reintroduced populations. 
60

5. Use monitoring, research results, and assessment of potential threats to

determine effectiveness of management actions.

Conducting regular monitoring of the plant taxa is necessary for long-term

management to be effective in conservation of these five plant species. 

Population monitoring will reveal trends in population dynamics, and allow for

evaluation of the effects of management actions that call for a reduction of

competition from nonnative plants and herbivory on selected species.

6. Coordinate recovery actions with other listed species or species of concern.

By taking an ecosystem approach to habitat protection for the five listed species,

other listed species could benefit from various conservation management actions

implemented as part of this recovery plan.

7. Develop and implement a public outreach program.

Development and implementation of an outreach program will increase public

awareness of critical needs and management strategies. The public could

participate in these programs to aid in conservation of the plant taxa. Private

groups and lead agencies involved with the recovery effort should be approached

about participation in outreach programs. Benefits include protection of the listed

plant species and their habitats, maintenance of native biological communities,

and local landowner participation and support in multiple aspects of recovery for

these taxa.

8. Reevaluate recovery criteria and revise recovery plan based on knowledge

obtained from research, monitoring, and management.

Recovery criteria for each of the taxa should be revised in the future based on

effectiveness of efforts to preserve and manage habitat and the information

resulting from research.

C. Narrative Outline

1. Secure and protect existing species habitats that occur on private or

unprotected lands. Listed species (addressed in this recovery plan) that occur on

private lands should be secured and protected through mechanisms such as

acquisition of property from willing sellers, acquisition of property rights or fee
61

title purchase (i.e., development rights or timber harvest rights), open space and

conservation easements, or conservation agreements. This protection is necessary

to prevent further declines in distribution and abundance of the listed species from

loss and degradation of habitat.

1.1 Inform landowners. Affected private landowners should be informed of

efforts to recover the species, invited to participate in recovery efforts, and

be asked to prevent inadvertent or intentional destruction of habitat. 

Affected private landowners include:

a) Astragalus tener var. titi: Pebble Beach Company and Monterey

Peninsula Country Club.

b) Potentilla hickmanii: Del Monte Forest Foundation, unknown

landowner in San Mateo County.

c) Piperia yadonii: Pebble Beach Company, First United Methodist

Church in Pacific Grove, Monterey Peninsula Airport, and numerous other

unknown private landowners.

d) Trifolium trichocalyx: Pebble Beach Company.

e) Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana: Pebble Beach Company, Del

Monte Forest Foundation; other unknown private landowners.

1.2 Consult and coordinate with agencies and partners involved with

recovery activities. Planning departments for the County of Monterey,

and Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Seaside, Sand

City, and Marina should be consulted regarding conservation

opportunities for easements and acquisition opportunities, and to

determine if there are existing easements that we are unaware of. 

Coordinate with the planning departments to appropriately use and

manage land to preserve and manage these plants and their habitat. Our

partners involved with recovery activities in the region covered by this

recovery plan include California Department of Fish and Game, California

Department of Parks and Recreation, Monterey County, San Mateo

County, The Nature Conservancy, the California Coastal Conservancy,

California Native Plant Society, the Del Monte Forest Foundation,

university and research departments, botanic gardens and herbaria,
62

property owners, and other individuals knowledgeable about the species

and their habitats. Existing plans, data, and information pertinent to the

recovery of these five species must be synthesized and shared effectively

by promoting information exchange and discussion between all agencies,

groups, and individuals. Support from local lead agencies for the

protection of habitat for these five species is essential for their recovery.

Development proposals are routinely sent to California Department of

Fish and Game for review in sensitive species habitat (D. Messenger in

litt. 2002). We should also review any development proposals in potential

habitat for the five listed plants and comment on the adequacy of the

protective measures for those species.

1.3 Establish protection agreements and secure habitat sites with

permission of the landowners. Lead agencies can solicit private

landowner participation and support for recovery, establish open space or

conservation easements by the property owner, establish permanent

resource management easements, or acquire lands through fee acquisition

from willing sellers.

1.3.1 Secure sites through land acquisition or fee title ownership. 

Land purchase could be made through an existing land trust, such

as Big Sur Land Trust, the Del Monte Forest Foundation, The

Nature Conservancy, or Trust for Public Land. Fee title ownership

includes obtaining all property rights. This acquisition can be

accomplished by fee simple purchase, dedication, complete

donation, exchange, or transfer from one agency to another. This

method of land preservation provides complete control over land

use and avoids potential problems associated with partial

ownership or rights to access, water, or minerals. The

disadvantage to fee title ownership is that it is the most expensive

form of property ownership.

1.3.2 Secure sites through open space and conservation easements. 

Open space and conservation easements provide a method to
63

acquire specific property rights needed to conserve biological

values and physical or scenic characteristics of the land. These

easements also offer the landowner an economic incentive of

reduced property taxes. Easements may be accepted by the State,

cities, counties, or nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose

is to preserve and protect land in its natural condition. An

advantage to an easement is that in many circumstances, the

landowner can continue to use lands in the ways they were used

prior to the easement.

1.4 Secure and protect existing primary sites on unprotected lands.

 Pebble Beach Company property supports large concentrations of these

five listed plant species, although populations of Piperia yadonii,

Potentilla hickmanii, and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana and a

portion of Astragalus tener var. titi occur on lands owned by other

agencies, organizations, or private landowners. To promote recovery of

these species, protected habitat for the plants should be contiguous and

have a low perimeter-to-area ratio. This pattern would minimize the

effects of surrounding land use practices that could potentially be

detrimental to the taxa (e.g., invasion by nonnative plants used for

landscaping, pesticide use, or excessive irrigation). Managing lands that

are secured from development and recreation will be difficult due to the

high density urban development that currently exists within and around

many of the current plant populations.

1.4.1 Protect habitat for Astragalus tener var. titi. Currently only one

naturally occurring population exists. This population should be

fully-preserved due to low numbers of individuals and its status as

the only current wild population. Plants in this population occur

on Pebble Beach Company property (west side of 17-Mile Drive)

and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Golf Course property

(east side of 17-Mile Drive). A fenced enclosure, measuring

approximately 930 square meters (10,000 square feet), was

established by the Pebble Beach Company on the west side of 17-

Mile Drive to protect a portion of Astragalus tener var. titi. This
64

enclosure may need to be removed (with approval from the

California Coastal Commission) or some sort of minor ground

disturbance may need to be applied to help reduce competing

vegetation and aid in producing flowering plants. A possible

association between A. tener var. titi and light disturbance was

observed during 1999 and 2000, based on low-level disturbance

from gopher activity and light pedestrian traffic (Doak et al. 2000). 

These studies found that flowering plants were only observed

outside of the enclosure on a recently disturbed vegetation island

northwest of the enclosure and on rocky areas to the east of 17-

Mile Drive. Experimental studies should be implemented and

monitored to better understand if this minimal disturbance supports

flowering individuals. If so, erection of low fencing to discourage

vehicular traffic and allow for minimal foot traffic should be

established in place of the fenced enclosure along existing coastal

access roads as well as along pedestrian and equestrian trails.

The populations of Astragalus tener var. titi that occur on the east

side of 17-Mile Drive need to be protected from various land use

practices, such as road construction activities (if needed in the

future), ongoing maintenance activities (including weed

whacking), parking lot activity, golfing, and horseback riding. 

Late (i.e., September until on-set of the first significant rains

greater than 0.1 inches) mowing of grasses in A. tener var. titi

habitat would likely be beneficial to the species by removing

overstory thatch and allowing rodents and other seed predators to

be more vulnerable to predators in the area (V. Yadon, in litt.

2002).

The long-term survival of this species likely depends on restoring

the physical conditions and plant community on which this species

depends. Achieving this end will involve restoring vernal wet

areas adjacent to coastal terrace prairie habitat (M. Stromberg, in

litt. 2002). Soils must be allowed to dry in summer months to

reflect conditions necessary for the original mix of native grasses
65

and forbs in these areas (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). This

restoration will require both an observational and experimental

approach. Successful restoration efforts of dominant grasses in

coastal terraces has been conducted (Stromberg et al. 1996).

1.4.2 Protect habitat for Piperia yadonii. A number of Piperia yadonii

populations are secured from development (i.e., approximately 17

percent of total known plants). However, many populations have

land-use designations that do not provide protection from

development (i.e., approximately 83 percent of total known

plants). In securing lands from development, populations should

be protected within Monterey pine forest and pygmy forest with an

open canopy and grassy understory. Additionally, plants should be

protected in maritime chaparral habitats, focusing on large tracts

that maintain ecosystem processes and function. The most recent

proposed initiative (i.e., the Del Monte Forest Preservation and

Development Plan, July 2001) submitted by the Pebble Beach

Company for the Del Monte Forest Area Land Use Plan calls for

rezoning to residential and recreational open space for

development of largely forested land in the Spanish Bay,

Spyglass/Cypress, Gowen Cypress, Middle Fork, Spyglass/Pebble

Beach, and Pescadero planning areas. The Pebble Beach Company

is aware that these areas include P. yadonii and is coordinating

with regulatory agencies regarding potential impacts that may be

associated with proposed projects.

Many of the unprotected Piperia yadonii populations exist in areas

with native vegetation that harbor native soil with fungal spores

needed for the plants survival. Protection should be given to

spring sources for proper soil drainage, and appropriate habitat for

pollinators. Surrounding land use practices should allow for P.

yadonii expansion. Large populations should be chosen that are

close enough to one another so pollinators can affect gene flow and

reduce potential inbreeding depression. This will also maximize

the potential for outcrossing through pollen transfer within and
66

between populations (Doak and Graff 2001).

1.4.3 Protect habitat for Potentilla hickmanii. The Montara

population of Potentilla hickmanii encompasses a small area made

up of two slopes south of Martini Creek, San Mateo County. 

Acquiring this site or permanently protecting it by entering into a

conservation easement should be pursued.

The majority of the Monterey Peninsula population is

encompassed within a 104 square meter (1,117 square foot)

enclosure. Additionally, 18 plants northeast of the enclosure were

recently caged. However, these plants may no longer be alive. 

Protection of the entire stretch of habitat that is necessary for this

species’ survival is recommended. This protection would require

relocation of several recreational activities (i.e., horseshoe pits,

volleyball/badminton courts, and equestrian horse tie posts)

currently in place adjacent to the enclosure. The entire meadow

opening and the surrounding areas should be protected to ensure

that ecosystem and community processes are maintained. The

soils should be kept dry to reflect what was likely a coastal

Deschampsia grassland (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). Additionally,

populations that represent the entire genome for the species at

Indian Village should be secured in several greenhouses, outdoor

gardens, and shade houses.

 1.4.4 Protect habitat for Trifolium trichocalyx. The only known

population of Trifolium trichocalyx exists at Huckleberry Hill and

the surrounding area. A portion of these lands are protected by the

Del Monte Forest Foundation. However, there is currently no

active management for this species. Additionally, a seedbank is

likely to occur in the soil between Haul Road and Costanilla Way

where T. trichocalyx was last seen in 1988. Minimal protection is

provided for this area, and the area is not fully protected from

human-induced disturbance. The current proposed initiative (i.e.,

the Del Monte Forest Preservation and Development Plan, July
67

2002) under consideration for the Del Monte Forest Area Land

Use Plan calls for rezoning 19 hectares (48 acres) from residential

to open space forest at the Huckleberry Hill planning area. This

area harbors a portion of the seedbank area where T. trichocalyx is

expected to occur.

1.4.5 Protect habitat for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana. Both

stands of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana occur on protected

lands designated as open space for species preservation. However, 

scattered groups of trees that radiate out from the Del Monte

Forest stand are located on unprotected property owned by the

Pebble Beach Company. Some of these trees are expected to be

removed according to the current proposed initiative (i.e., the Del

Monte Forest Preservation and Development Plan), which calls for

rezoning largely forested land on Pebble Beach Company property

and establishing 15 residential development units, relocating an

equestrian center, and establishing a new golf course. The plan

also calls for protecting additional forested areas as open space. 

Additionally, the possibility exists that trees located on Riley

Ranch (purchased by Big Sur Land Trust and slated as a State

Parks acquisition) could be open to the public (D. Rogers in litt.

2002). Habitat considered for purchase and protection should

include lands that are not directly surrounded by residential

property, allowing for management and expansion of populations

of C. goveniana ssp. goveniana. Stands of trees should be

carefully evaluated for potential adverse impacts resulting from the

provision of public access.

2. Manage private and secured lands to control or eliminate threats to

existing populations and their habitat. Habitat destruction due to development

and recreational activities is the highest threat affecting each of these taxa. 

Collaboration among landowners, affected agencies, and a recovery working

group will be necessary to share important information on effective methods to

control threats. Management of the private and secured lands should include not

only the plants, but also an adequate amount of surrounding habitat, thus ensuring
68

a functioning ecosystem with critical species interactions.

Nonnative species invasions are threatening each of the listed taxa. Control of

nonnative species is necessary to recover these species. The Pebble Beach

Company has been conducting exotic species removal throughout their

2,145-hectare (5,300-acre) property for approximately 15 years. These removal

activities are conducted depending on time and weather conditions.

Unfortunately, no information is available that documents where removal has

occurred, success of nonnative removal activities, or on the effects of removal

activities on threatened and endangered species (R. Spruance, Environmental

Programs, Pebble Beach Company, pers. comm. 2003). Primary focus of the

weed eradication program has been in the dune areas for Genista monspessulana,

Cortaderia sp., Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle), and Carpobrotus edulis (iceplant). 

It is recommended that nonnative removal activities in areas where listed plants

are found be recorded and revisited to determine effectiveness and whether

additional weed removal is necessary to lessen the threats to those listed plant

species.

2.1 Minimize threats to Astragalus tener var. titi. Threats identified to date

for Astragalus tener var. titi include encroachment and competition from

Carex pansa, Carpobrotus edulis, and Plantago coronopus; exposure to

and destructions from roadside maintenance activities; and, trampling

caused by recreational activities (e.g., golfing, horseback riding, and dogwalking). Once this population (including plants on both Pebble Beach

Company and Monterey Peninsula Country Club property) is secured, the

plants should be managed to prevent further loss of individuals. 

Additionally, all habitat disturbance and degradation should be prevented. 

The short-term goals for recovery of this species must include adaptive

management of the existing population.

Controlling Carex pansa, Carpobrotus edulis, and Plantago coronopus by

use of hand pulling should be conducted within and surrounding the

enclosure on Pebble Beach Company property. Light mowing or grazing

outside of critical growth periods (e.g., flowering and prior to seed set)

will likely benefit this species (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). Additionally,
69

control of these nonnatives on the east side of 17-Mile Drive (i.e.,

Monterey Peninsula Country Club property) should be conducted in

habitat currently known to harbor the species as well as in adjacent

suitable habitat. Control efforts should be prioritized and consideration

should be given to: 1) the aggressiveness of the invader, 2) the nonnative’s

potential to alter the composition of the native community, and 3) future

plans for the site. Although nonnative plant control is currently conducted

as part of the Pebble Beach Company’s ongoing weed control program,

weed control activities may need to be increased and/or revised to aid in

providing a stable or increasing population.

Threats from ongoing roadside maintenance activities (e.g., weed removal

from mowing or weed whacking, fire control for fire prevention) should

be discussed with the Pebble Beach Company, the local fire department,

the California Division of Forestry, and roadside maintenance crews to

investigate alternative methods that would achieve their goals and

requirements for trail maintenance, roadside maintenance, and safety

hazards. This objective may be accomplished through educational

opportunities for workers, timing of maintenance activities, and possibly

additional measures. Pebble Beach Company and Monterey Peninsula

Country Club should designate the area of road right-of-ways where

Astragalus tener var. titi grows as an environmentally sensitive area. 

Road maintenance workers should be informed of the occurrence of A.

tener var. titi in this area and directed to avoid it. Additionally, the current

roadside drainage system is likely causing negative impacts to existing

habitat by increasing the rate of water run-off. Future modifications (e.g.,

using additional ground water for golf course maintenance) to the current

hydrologic system will likely cause adverse effects to this habitat by

increasing ponding of runoff.

Preliminary research suggests a small amount of ground disturbance (e.g.,

gopher activity, minimal foot traffic) may be advantageous to this plant’s

survival, possibly by opening germination sites through reduction of

competing nonnative plants species, or other mechanisms. Successful

reproduction of this species will likely not occur with high levels of
70

ground disturbance caused by activities such as horseback riding and

golfing. Any increase in trail use may result in loss of plants and habitat. 

The running of horses that currently takes place on the trails that border or

enter existing A. tener var. titi habitat should be discouraged. A meeting

should occur with the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Golf Course to

discuss development of a timing schedule for various golf and equestrian

activities. As mentioned in Action 1.4.1, erection of low fencing should

be established to discourage vehicular or equestrian traffic along the trails

or coastal access roads, while allowing a light amount of pedestrian traffic

to continue within suitable habitat.

2.2 Minimize threats to Piperia yadonii. Threats identified to date for

Piperia yadonii include urban, residential, and recreational (e.g., golf

courses) development, browsing by deer and rabbits, competition from

nonnative plants (Genista monspessulana and Cortaderia sp.), roadside

maintenance to control weeds, closed-canopy forests due to fire

suppression, a potential roadway circulation improvement project at the

Monterey Peninsula Airport, and expansion of the proposed realignment

of U.S. Route 101 near Prunedale (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998).

Urban, residential, and recreational (most importantly golf course)

development on the Monterey Peninsula is an immediate threat to this

species. In particular, the Pebble Beach Company’s Pescadero Canyon

and the area just north of the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center harbors a

high percentage of existing plants (54 percent of the known individuals,

according to Jones and Stokes Associates [1996]). These populations

should be protected from development as they could serve as valuable

locations that would ensure the long-term viability of this species. Many

other Piperia yadonii sites on private property may be difficult to manage

for recovery due to habitat fragmentation and bordering residential and

recreational practices. Continued loss of plants and further fragmentation

of the populations should be avoided if these sites are to be developed.

Browsing of Piperia yadonii by deer and rabbits has been extremely

detrimental at some locations, especially in parts of Pebble Beach and
71

Pacific Grove. Landowners and key players should participate in

developing a humane form of deer population control in forested areas

where the majority of Piperia yadonii are found (M. Matthews, in litt.

2002). Researchers have documented that few to no plants have

successfully produced mature seed capsules at these locations during one

or more surveys (V. Yadon in litt. 1997, Doak and Graff 2001). A number

of plants in areas where herbivory and browsing has been documented

should be caged so flowering, seed production, and dispersal can occur. 

Caging plants has been successful with Erysimum menziesii var. menziesii

(Menzies’ wallflower) at Asilomar State Park (M. Matthews, in litt. 2002). 

However, this method is labor intensive. Without cages, herbivores can

reduce successful flowering to less than 5 percent (Allen 1996).

Genista monspessulana and Cortaderia sp. are nonnative weedy species

that are currently posing a high threat to Piperia yadonii through

competition. Herbicides should be applied to control these weedy,

invasive species. However, these chemicals should be applied such that

drift would not affect the surrounding vegetation. Cortaderia selloana

and C. jubata should be controlled at locations where it co-occurs with P.

yadonii, including locations at Blohm Ranch and Manzanita County Park. 

Genista monspessulana should be controlled at locations where it is

invading P. yadonii habitat, including areas along Skyline Drive, the

Presidio, and the “Spyglass Cypress O” tract, the Stevenson tract, and the

Pescadero Canyon (P/Q/R) tracts. Although Pebble Beach Company has

an ongoing weed removal program, efforts for Genista monspessulana and

Cortaderia sp. removal should concentrate around Piperia yadonii and

other federally listed species. Control efforts should be prioritized, with

consideration being given to the most aggressive competitor plant,

effectiveness of the control method, future plans for the site, and potential

for reinvasion from surrounding sources.

The city and county should establish environmentally sensitive areas

where Piperia yadonii grows along road rights-of-way. Although road

maintenance workers from Pebble Beach Company and the Pebble Beach

Community Services District have been informed of Piperia yadonii in the
72

past, further coordination is needed to advise workers of species

occurrences at designated areas and the need for them to avoid those areas

(M.A. Matthews, in litt. 2002). Fire regulators in the Pebble Beach area

should ensure that mowing of vacant properties and roads within protected

areas are not conducted until plants have set seed, or mowing should be

limited to only firebreaks. The extent of roadside sites should be mapped

and the cities and counties should modify their mowing schedules and

other road maintenance activities so the flowering and fruiting season for

P. yadonii can be avoided. Field crews should be advised (as discussed in

Action 7.2) on the biology and threats to the species and sensitive species

maps should be provided to all maintenance workers.

Disposal of chipped clippings (used to control soil erosion) are likely

introducing a host of unwanted nonnative plant species. Clippings should

only come from very local sources in areas that support Piperia yadonii.

2.3 Minimize threats to Potentilla hickmanii. Threats identified to date for

Potentilla hickmanii include coastal development, changes in hydrology

of its habitat, maintenance activities such as mowing, heavy recreational

activities, herbivory, and possible competition from surrounding grasses. 

The population south of Montara State Park in San Mateo County is also

threatened by the proposed State Route 1 Bypass. Once all existing plants

in the two areas are secured, they should be managed to prevent further

loss of individual plants. Additionally, habitat disturbance and

degradation should be eliminated.

Recreational use at the Del Monte Forest Foundation Indian Village picnic

site should be restricted to the western portion of the area outside of

Potentilla hickmanii habitat. This restriction would require relocation of

the existing horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and horse tie posts. All

potential P. hickmanii habitat at this site, including individual plants that

were transplanted to this site during a 1998 study (Doak et al. 2001),

should be fenced to discourage pedestrian and equestrian activities. 

Efforts should be made to immediately correct the drainage into the Indian

Valley area and remove competing weedy species. Immediate efforts
73

should include establishing a garden or greenhouse population of plants,

and removing water flow into the site, possibly by installation of a drain

and pipe along the edge of the golf course.

Threats from potential development or rerouting of State Highway 1 at the

Montara population in San Mateo County should be eliminated through

discussions with the landowner and city/county agencies involved with the

proposed route changes. Destruction of this population would pose a

jeopardy to the persistence of this species because only two populations

are currently known.

Grasses may compete with seedlings of Potentilla hickmanii. Benefits

from clipping competing vegetation are apparent, and competition from

other plants strongly suppresses the survival and reproductive

performance of young P. hickmanii plants (Doak et al. 2001). Clipping of

vegetation surrounding young plants could be conducted regularly. This

type of intensive management is necessary due to the extremely small

population persisting at this site. Additionally, the habitat should be

managed to keep Pinus radiata from establishing in the meadow and

producing excessive shade. Careful mowing may be critical to the

existence of this species (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

High levels of herbivory by nonnative predatory snails and slugs on both

vegetative and reproductive structures has been observed at the Indian

Village picnic site (Doak et al. 2000). It is possible that this predation is

causing a lack of survival and reproduction of Potentilla hickmanii plants. 

Use of pesticides to control snails and slugs should be conducted

cautiously to prevent damage to P. hickmanii pollinators. Any additional

plants discovered outside of the existing fenced enclosure at the Indian

Village picnic area should also be caged to exclude vertebrate predators.

2.4 Minimize threats to Trifolium trichocalyx. Threats identified to date for

Trifolium trichocalyx include loss of habitat and fire suppression. Loss of

habitat due to residential and recreational (e.g., golf courses, equestrian

activities) development pose further threats to the T. trichocalyx seed
74

bank. The largest known historical occurrence of T. trichocalyx exists in

an area that is not fully protected from possible future development (i.e.,

Huckleberry Hill tract, Area G of Pebble Beach Company’s Del Monte

Forest Preservation and Development Plan, July 2002) owned by the

Pebble Beach Company. The voter approved initiative known as

“Measure A” requested a change in the land use designation from

residential to open space/forest. This change has the potential to aid in

preservation of this site. The area, however, is still unprotected and

requires additional management to recover this species. For T. trichocalyx

to persist, consideration must be given to developing and implementing a

burn plan that would reduce high fuel loads while avoiding risk to life and

property from surrounding developed areas. An experiment (e.g., using

dry slash to create a ground fire) could be devised to remove a small

number of trees within areas where T. trichocalyx are known (M. A.

Matthews in litt. 2002). Fire is an essential process in T. trichocalyx

habitat because it exposes bare mineral soils by removing forest canopy

and shrubs. A mosaic of small burned areas should be maintained to

allow the plant to flower on a 5- to 10-year cycle.

Recent research studies suggest that seeds buried in soil may require

germination cues quite different from those that have never been buried

(Doak et al. 2000). Further germination research will likely be required to

confirm these recent studies. Additionally, scarification conducted the

first spring following a fire when thousands of plants may be present may

help stimulate plants to bloom (V. Yadon in litt. 2002).

2.5 Minimize threats to Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana. Threats

identified to date for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana include loss of

habitat, induced soil drainage, and fire suppression. Fire prevention has

caused continuous canopy closure, increased fungal presence, altered soil

nutrient regime, increased understory competition, and exposed mineral

soils that are needed to maintain C. goveniana ssp. goveniana populations. 

Consideration must be given to developing and implementing a burn plan

or alternative measure to reduce high fuel loads while avoiding risk to life

and property from surrounding developed areas. Prescribed burns should
75

be conducted at 50- to 70-year intervals to reduce overstory competion (V.

Yadon in litt. 2002). Mechanical removal of ground cover and opening

the canopy in numerous areas (to avoid a genetic bottleneck through

regeneration of only a few trees) should be investigated as a means of

supplementing the role of fire. Although recent research indicates that fire

may not be needed for regeneration to occur (Doak et al. 2000), an

alternative practice to promote regeneration would need to be developed

to ensure continued existence of the species. Research should first

determine if those aspects of a natural fire that would be missing in

mechanical removal (e.g., nutrient conversion, soil alteration, etc.) are

critical to continued existence of the forest. Additionally, care should be

given that mechanical gap creation does not limit other factors (e.g., soil

pH, soil mineralization, etc.) that C. goveniana ssp. goveniana may

depend on for reproductive success (D. Rogers in litt. 2002).

Removal of invasive weed species (e.g., Eucalyptus sp., Acacia sp.) will

aid in this species recovery. Other invasive species spreading in the

vicinity of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana are candidates for

invasions into this species’ habitat in the near future (See Appendix F). 

These nonnative plants will likely adversely affect plant composition and

C. goveniana ssp. goveniana regeneration (D. Rogers in litt. 2002).

The genetic integrity of the two populations may have been compromised

because trees have been planted outside of the stock origin. Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana trees should not be planted outside of the stock

areas to prevent genetic diversity issues and contamination of the native

populations.

Mulched chips containing introduced seeds of Cupressus macrocarpa

have recently been spread in C. goveniana ssp. goveniana habitat. The

seedlings of C. macrocarpa should be removed and any chips spread in

the habitat of C. goveniana ssp. goveniana should be site-specific.

2.6 Identify and address any newly identified threats. Any additional

threats should be addressed as focused research is conducted, or as
76

additional populations are discovered, reintroduced, or established. 

Management actions should be implemented to reduce or eliminate effects

of new threats identified for these species.

3. Develop management strategies based on research of species life histories 

and their responses to vegetation management. 

3.1 Establish a working group to collaborate with private and public

landowners, appropriate agencies, and key stakeholders to develop

and implement specific recovery guidelines. 

3.1.1 Develop specific recovery guidelines through working group. 

Specific recovery guidelines should be developed for the following

tasks: 1) establish a stakeholder collaborative group to develop

resource management guidelines for parcels of land that support

Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii,

Trifolium trichocalyx, and/or Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana;

2) evaluate parcel-specific best management practices for each of

the plants populations, such as, but not limited to, prescribed

burning for T. trichocalyx and C. goveniana ssp. goveniana,

selective thinning of Monterey pine forest for Potentilla hickmanii

at the Indian Village picnic site, and nonnative plant control for A.

tener var. titi, P. yadonii, P. hickmanii, and C. goveniana ssp.

goveniana; 3) prepare management guidelines that include buffer

zones against noncompatible adjacent land uses; 4) develop

monitoring strategies to evaluate effects from adjacent land use

practices; and 5) define appropriate and inappropriate management

activities, such as seeding or revegetating for erosion control

following controlled burning. Additionally, specific management

recommendations for each plant should be based upon results of

studies conducted in Action 3.2 as well as recommendations for

controls of nonnative plants and control of herbivory when

warranted.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department)
77

is aware of the Piperia yadonii and Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana populations located on State Parks property, Point

Lobos State Reserve, and at Point Lobos Ranch. The Department

should prepare a Resource Management Plan to address specific

actions for these species. In 1987, the Department developed a

Point Lobos State Reserve Unit Prescribed Fire Management Plan. 

This plan may need to be updated.

3.1.2 Implement species management guidelines. Investigate costsharing funding mechanisms with other State agencies and the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service to implement management guidelines

with landowner(s). Funds or in-kind services may be available

through agencies, nonprofit organizations, a local assessment

district, Monterey County Parks, volunteer/donated labor, or a

combination thereof.

3.2 Assemble or develop life history profiles and obtain species 

specific data to manage listed plants. Collect data on species lifehistories. Additionally, provide recommendations on management

strategies that may aid in the recovery of the species, including providing

solutions on threats to the species.

3.2.1 Life history and management research on Astragalus tener var.

titi. Research is needed on the effects of Carex pansa and

Carpobrotus edulis removal to assess: 1) the role of competition

by both native and nonnative plant species, and 2) effects from

applied disturbance to Astragalus tener var. titi populations and

how this disturbance may affect the overall health and persistence

of this species. Additionally, information on this species’ breeding

system and pollinator activity is needed. Data on local hydrology,

reproduction, and seedling survival will help define where critical

problems occur with the management of this species.

3.2.2 Life history and management research on Piperia yadonii. 

Recent studies have produced information on the reproductive
78

biology and pollination ecology of Piperia yadonii (Doak and

Graff 2001). Results from these studies are thorough enough that

future research should focus on the following: 1) demographic

studies to estimate population size and performance, and to track

dormancy, size, reproductive success, disease incidence, and

herbivory; 2) effects of pollen limitation; and 3) transplanting

experiments to determine if large populations can be successfully

transplanted (Doak and Graff 2001). Research should also focus

on defining and delineating metapopulations and on determining

the optimum configuration and size of protected areas that will

support a functioning ecosystem (e.g., species present to support

seed dispersal and pollination, areas that support fluctuating

distributions, areas that harbor suitable unoccupied habitat for

population expansion).

3.2.3 Life history and management research on Potentilla hickmanii.

Species-specific data on all life history stages of Potentilla

hickmanii should be examined, with special emphasis on effects of

competition and herbivory on recruitment. Understanding this

species exact habitat requirements is needed to fully understand its

life history and to determine what factors are limiting population

expansion. The Indian Village area population on Del Monte

Forest Foundation property historically has poor recruitment. This

issue should be examined in greater detail. Although relatively

high seed production has been evident, P. hickmanii appears to be

most limited at the seedling establishment stage (Doak et al. 2000). 

Studies should be conducted to determine which factors are

responsible for poor seedling performance and which strategies

might result in a higher seed germination rate. Doak et al. (2000)

suggested combining this research with experimental

transplanting, as described in Action 4.2.3.

All Potentilla hickmanii plants (including transplanted individuals)

should be studied to examine changes in population characteristics

for this species. Doak et al. (2000) have recommended collecting
79

the following data: 1) genetic analysis to determine the degree of

differentiation or similarity between the Montara population and

the Indian Village area population on the Monterey Peninsula. 

This work should determine the level of interaction between the

two populations, and if there is any genetic variation within the

Indian Village population on the Monterey Peninsula; 2) research

to determine extent of P. hickmanii seed dispersal; and 3) research

to determine what pollinator limitations may exist to assist in

efforts of establishing self-sustaining populations of P. hickmanii. 

Additionally, greenhouse techniques need to be developed to

amplify seed for application in the field. Plants should be brought

into successful cultivation with strict records maintained regarding

the origin of the material. Techniques to enhance the survival and

reproduction of plants should be refined (e.g., caging individual

plants to reduce herbivory, and possibly providing supplemental

watering to enhance fruit and seed production while the population

is in a critical state).

3.2.4 Life history and management research on Trifolium

trichocalyx. Research needs to be conducted to determine the

number and distribution of populations that remain. This action is

difficult because it is a “fire-follower” (i.e., this species persists as

a seed bank in the soil until the appropriate openings and soil

conditions are created). Historically, this function has been

fulfilled by fire. Few if any plants currently exist above ground

due to the lack of fires in the Huckleberry Hill area over the past

decade. Germination studies for Trifolium trichocalyx should be

conducted. Doak et al. (2000) suggested the following research: 

1) conduct trials mimicking natural soil conditions and

germination cues, including treatments that simulate different

potentially important fire effects; 2) test suitability of

experimentally cleared areas for T. trichocalyx germination; and 3)

conduct burn box experiments to expand surveys for seed banks.
80

3.2.5 Life history and management research on Cupressus goveniana

ssp. goveniana. Studies should be conducted on the ecology and

genetics of this species, including examining recruitment

possibilities for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana. Recent

studies have found that C. goveniana ssp. goveniana recruitment is

possible without the use of fire (Doak et al. 2000). However,

short-term reproductive success in the absence of fire may result in

loss of genetic variability (D. Rogers, Conservation Geneticist,

U.C. Davis, in litt. 2002). Researchers should not assume that seed

germination and short-term seedling survival based on the absence

of fire is a replacement for a natural fire event for two reasons (D.

Rogers, in litt. 2002):

a. Where fire is a natural disturbance, species are often adapted to

a variety of fire effects (i.e., removal of herbaceous species

competition, soil sterilization, soil mineralization, changes in

soil pH, and light penetration to the forest floor (which is the

primary effect sought by mechanical gap creation). Any or all

of these effects could be important to the long-term

reproductive success and population viability of Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana.

b. Small amounts of regeneration within mechanically created

gaps are not necessarily the equivilent of natural regeneration

following fires. Prolific natural regeneration that follows a fire

(with concurrent contributions from many parent trees)

provides abundant opportunities for natural selection over time

and a good basis for population viability. Only a short-term

assessment examining the absence of fire to create gaps can be

made. This assessment will consider the appearance of some

(but not all) seedlings and not the long-term effects of fire

suppression.

There is limited information on genetic diversity of this

subspecies. However, genetic information available for Cupressus

macrocarpa may possibly be used in the interim due to its similar

distribution (D. Rogers in litt. 2002).
81

4. Determine other potentially suitable habitat areas that should be surveyed

for additional occurrences, or that can be used for reestablishment or

reintroduction of populations.

4.1 Develop predictive models using Geographic Information Systems 

(GIS) to identify potentially suitable or restorable habitat. Models can

be created using GIS to assist in identifying locations for reintroductions,

reestablishment, or restoration. Global Positioning System (GPS) data

and metadata should be collected by surveyors during all site visits and

surveys. Data on suitable habitat areas for reintroductions,

reestablishment, or restoration (as well as site locations of all the listed

species) should be supplied to us in the NAD83 projection (zone 10). 

These areas should then be identified and prioritized.

4.2 Survey likely habitat with similar site factors for reintroduction or

establishment of new populations, or additional occurrences of listed

plants. Distribution of Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, 

Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx are restricted. Therefore,

additional populations are needed to ensure long-term viability of these

species. Discoveries or establishment of new populations will reduce the

likelihood of reduction or extinction of these taxa from a catastrophic

event. Efforts should be made to initiate protective recovery actions for

each newly-discovered or newly-established population. Additionally,

survey biologists should ensure that new discoveries of these species are

reported to the California Department of Fish and Game’s Natural

Diversity Database.

4.2.1 Survey Astragalus tener var. titi. habitat Potentially suitable

habitat for Astragalus tener var. titi should be surveyed between

the known population in Monterey County and the historical sites

in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. Additionally, surveys

should be conducted on private lands in the general locality of the

population along 17-Mile Drive. Dune and coastal sandy areas

characterized by small swales and low cover of other vegetation

(especially Deschannpsia cespitosa ssp. holciformi and other
82

diagnostic herbs) are the likely indicators for finding more

populations or for establishing new ones. However, recent studies

suggest that A. tener var. titi is not strongly dependent on swale

microhabitats and soil moisture (Doak et al. 2000). These studies

are supported by plants being found in drier areas outside of the

existing enclosure on 17-Mile Drive. Additionally, this occurrence

may be due to the wetter conditions supplied by El Niño during

1998. Areas where there is light disturbance (e.g., gopher activity)

should be surveyed. Other patches of ground in the Bird Rock area

should also be opened and scarified to determine if seed banks of

Astragalus tener var. titi exist. 

Locations that may be suitable for Astragalus tener var. titi have

been identified by Jones and Stokes Associates (1996) at Point

Lobos State Reserve. These areas are similar to habitat along 17-

Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula and should be examined for

unknown populations or establishing new populations. Additional

locations for surveys or reintroduction of Astragalus tener var. titi

include the following: 1) coastal areas of San Luis Obispo County,

including the Hearst Ranch; 2) Seal Beach National Wildlife

Refuge, Ballona Wetlands, and Bolsa Chica in Los Angeles

County; and 3) areas north and south of Silver Strand State Beach

in San Diego County.

4.2.2 Survey Piperia yadonii habitat. Additional surveys should be

conducted for new occurrences of plants within Fort Ord property

and adjacent potentially suitable habitat. Jones and Stokes

Associates (1996) reported conducting surveys in this area in 1992

and that Piperia spp. identified there may have been misidentified

due to surveys being conducted prior to flowering.

4.2.3 Survey Potentilla hickmanii habitat. Additional experimental

transplants should be conducted in suitable habitat, such as at

Carmello Meadows (Point Lobos State Reserve) where

transplanted populations did not successfully survive into the year
83

2000 (see action 4.3.2. below). This site should be used for

establishment of new populations as appropriate based on surveys

of microhabitat conditions in the area. Transplanting strategies

could be improved by using information obtained from monitoring

and research studies (see actions 5.1.4, 5.2.1, and 5.2.2) on the

current populations of Potentilla hickmanii.

4.2.4 Survey Trifolium trichocalyx habitat. Suitable soil conditions

and habitat are available on the Monterey Peninsula for

establishment of Trifolium trichocalyx populations (Jones and

Stokes Associates 1996). Surveys should be conducted to

determine the most suitable locations within Monterey pine forest

that are isolated from development, thus allowing the use of fire

for management of this species. Jones and Stokes Associates

(1996) identified the Pescadero Tract on Pebble Beach Company’s

property, Huckleberry Hill Preserve at the Presidio of Monterey,

the Gibson Creek Unit of Point Lobos State Reserve, and Montara

Ranch as a possibility for establishing new populations of T.

trichocalyx.

4.3 Implement reintroduction/establishment to suitable sites.

Experimental approaches should be used to establish new populations of

Astragalus tener var. titi, Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx. 

These approaches would be valuable in understanding future management

requirements that would aid in protecting existing populations and newly

discovered or reestablished populations. Our policy guidelines regarding

controlled propagation of listed species should be used for reintroduction

or establishment of new populations (U.S. Fish and Wildife Service and

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2000). Reintroduction

or establishment to new sites should commence once areas have been

identified. Additionally, the following factors should be considered for A.

tener var. titi, P. hickmanii, and T. trichocalyx.

4.3.1 Reintroduce/establish Astragalus tener var. titi. Recent studies

conducted by Doak et al. (2000) recommended the following
84

strategies for establishing new populations of Astragalus tener var.

titi: 1) develop a protocol for genetic sampling of small

populations; 2) establish small populations initially; 3) use

greenhouse-cultivated seeds (providing seeds are no more than two

greenhouse-generations removed from the current existing

population along 17-Mile Drive, and providing a minimum of 50

fruits were used to start the plants that were grown in the

greenhouse); 4) establish populations in areas with high levels of

gopher activity; 5) choose areas where low vegetation cover exists

(likely due to ground cover disturbances); 6) establish populations

in locations where small dune swales are present; and 7) provide

consistent management to control nonnative (e.g., Carpobrotus

edulis) and native (e.g., Carex pansa) vegetation to allow for longterm success of reintroduced or established populations.

4.3.2 Reintroduce/establish Potentilla hickmanii. Experimental

transplants were established at Carmello Meadows in Point Lobos

State Reserve in 1998 (Doak et al. 2000). Although high mortality

occurred among those individuals (likely due to most individuals

being planted at a single localized site with dry, rocky substrate),

this location is still a good candidate for introduction of new

populations. Individual plants should carefully be transplanted to

microhabitats with a variety of moisture regimes. Additional

experimental transplants should occur, with potential genetic

diversity maximized. Transplanting and introduction of new

populations could be improved by conducting various ecological

surveys at the Montara population in San Mateo County because of

its larger population size compared to the Indian Village picnic

area site.

4.3.3 Reintroduce/establish Trifolium trichocalyx. Controlled burn

experiments should be conducted in areas where a seed bank likely

occurs. Dry slash could be used to create a ground fire to remove a

small number of trees and shrub cover in areas where Trifolium

trichocalyx are known to occur. Additionally, a mosaic of small
85

burned areas should be maintained to allow the plant to flower on a

5- to 10-year cycle.

5. Use research results and monitoring of current populations, reintroduced 

populations, and potential threats to determine effectiveness of management

actions. Develop standards to measure the success of existing or reintroduced

populations of these plant species. Additionally, success criteria should be

developed to examine the effectiveness of reducing the various levels of threats to

these species. These standards and success criteria will assist in determining 

downlisting or delisting status of the five plant taxa.

5.1 Monitor occurrences to evaluate trends in population dynamics.

Monitoring surveys should be conducted to document population

dynamics and determine population trends for all five taxa. Standard

monitoring methods (such as those in the draft Piperia yadonii monitoring

protocol currently being prepared and analyzed) should be developed and

used to track population data from one year to the next and to compare

results between sites. Specific points should be addressed when

monitoring populations of Astragalus tener var. titi and Potentilla

hickmanii, as indicated below.

5.1.1 Utilize recent mapping of density and individual 

performance of Astragalus tener var. titi plants within the 

17-Mile Drive enclosure. Doak et al. (2000) conducted a

thorough analysis of Astragalus tener var. titi density and

individual plant performance (by examining seed production)

within the enclosure along 17-Mile Drive. However, this study

was conducted over a short time-frame and may require additional

studies to verify seed production output. Results from this study

should be used for future monitoring of this population. This

research study also included mapping the Carex pansa cover

within the enclosure to assess its spread in future monitoring

attempts.

5.1.2 Monitor existing Astragalus tener var. titi population via areal
86

extent of populations and controlled experiments. Annual

monitoring of the 17-Mile Drive plants does not provide an

accurate assessment of population increases, decreases, or stability

because plants occur erratically each successive year. Therefore,

monitoring the 17-Mile Drive population through individual plant

performance and areal extent of the population will likely give a

better estimate of the population’s status on a year-to-year basis

(Doak et al. 2000).

Controlled experiments with plantings and monitoring should also

be conducted. Small patches of soils where no other rare species

are found should have surface vegetation removed. Subsequently,

these patches should be lightly cultivated and scattered with seeds. 

Experiments may include, but are not limited to, effects from

protection of herbivory, and soil sampling to determine the extent

and duration capacity of the soil seed bank (M. Stromberg in litt.

2002). Suggested areas for controlled experiments include Point

Joe, and immediately south of China Rock west of a public trail. 

Additionally, changes in micro-topography could be conducted on

private lands to provide experimental vernal wet areas. These

areas should have appropriate adjacent native perennial grasses

and provide adequate conditions to hold water for an extended

time period (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002).

5.1.3 Monitor existing Astragalus tener var. titi population for effects

of grazing. Varying levels of grazing by deer should be

investigated with small, experimental deer exclosures. These data

should provide information on what level of grazing this species

can tolerate and whether permanent exclusions from deer may be

necessary.

5.1.4 Monitor survival, seed production, and recruitment of

Potentilla hickmanii from year-to-year. Plants in current and

any newly established populations need to be monitored for

growth, survival, seed production, and recruitment. These data
87

should be used to support management recommendations for

current populations or any additional established populations.

5.1.5 Monitor populations of Piperia yadonii.

5.1.6 Monitor populations of Trifolium trichocalyx.

5.1.7 Monitor populations of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana.

5.2 Monitor effects of threat reductions and review research results. 

Studies should be conducted to ascertain if methods used for reducing

threats for each species are effective. Additionally, a review should be

conducted to determine whether research results and management

recommendations are beneficial to the recovery of each species. If so,

those beneficial threat reduction methods or research recommendations

should be incorporated into a revised recovery plan.

5.2.1 Evaluate effectiveness of methods used to reduce threats.

Regular monitoring is needed to evaluate the success of reducing

threats for all five listed species. Monitoring is necessary to

determine if recovery goals are being met and if downlisting or

delisting is appropriate. For example, monitoring of Piperia

yadonii should be conducted each year to estimate numbers on

each preserve with sufficient precision to detect significant

population changes relative to long-term trends.

5.2.2 Evaluate research results and use in future management. 

Review and incorporate results of studies into management

strategies for the five listed species based on research findings. 

Implement control methods for those potential threats determined

to be actual threats.

5.3 Establish an ex situ (i.e., outside the original location) seed bank for

seed representing each of the five listed plant populations. Due to few

numbers of populations (and few individuals of Astragalus tener var. titi,
88

Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx), a seed bank should be

established to maintain the genetic variability within and between the

populations of each of the species as insurance against the possibility of

population extinction. Seed should be stored at a Center for Plant

Conservation member institution (e.g., Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

in Claremont, California, or Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in Santa

Barbara, California) or at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National

Seed Storage Laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado. A seed collection

program should be designed and implemented with the goal of

representing all genetic variability within and between populations.

Seeds must be collected from many parent plants in all representative

populations and stored under suitable conditions to support genetic

variability. However, guidance should first be developed prior to

collecting seeds. Seeds should also be checked for viability (i.e.,

germination percentage) periodically. Clear guidelines should be

developed for the use and distribution of the seeds to guard against

inadvertent loss or inappropriate use. Additionally, a long-term

commitment should be made by cooperating parties to establish a garden

or greenhouse population of plants that provide diverse seed sources. 

Although the Pebble Beach Company started a greenhouse propagation

program in the 1990's, staff turnover has resulted in little to no training, in

addition to staff losses during recent layoffs (M. Stromberg in litt. 2002). 

An annual training program should be established for all employees

working for private landowners who conduct ground disturbance activities

in sensitive species habitat. The training program would help workers

identify the listed species and become familiar with the entire recovery

effort.

6. Coordinate recovery actions to benefit other listed species and species of

concern. A number of rare and endangered wildlife and plant species occur

either on the Monterey Peninsula or within the vicinity of Monterey

(Appendix G). Management actions such as herbicide use to remove

nonnative plant species may affect these species. Therefore, management

actions should be designed to avoid adversely affecting these species and their
89

habitats.

Habitats should be managed at the community level rather than for specific

species to ensure that management methods do not further endanger

organisms that are already endangered by habitat loss. Coordination with

other agencies, private landowners, or interested parties will help ensure that

recovery actions outlined in this recovery plan will benefit the habitat of other

listed species.

7. Develop and implement a public outreach program. An informational

outreach program should be established for the public (including private

landowners) to encourage conservation and proper management of each of the

five listed species. Private groups (e.g., the California Native Plant Society,

the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative, the Del Monte Forest

Foundation, etc.) should be approached to participate in this effort. The

benefits of protecting native plant species and their habitats and maintaining

native biological communities should be explained clearly to all concerned

parties.

7.1 Provide information and coordinate with lead agencies. Participation

from city and county governments is critical for recovery. They are the

primary agencies that determine future land use for unprotected

occurrences and habitats. It may be necessary for these governments and

lead agencies to revise existing land use plans to accurately address the

current status of the five listed species.

7.2 Provide species information to the public through outreach

programs. Implement an informational public outreach program. 

Information brochures, roadside kiosks (e.g., displays that discuss the

benefits of not mowing or spraying vegetation around sensitive species),

and other materials (e.g., videos, slide presentations, Pebble Beach

website, ideas for possible deer control measures) should be prepared. 

These outreach materials should include discussion of the importance of

each of the species to the ecosystem, plant identification, plant ecology,

and related management issues when appropriate. Additionally,
90

landowners should be encouraged to landscape with local native plant

species. Information should be provided to them that describe the benefits

of establishing effective buffer areas between secured areas and intensely

used residential or recreational areas. These “restored” areas could also

serve as demonstration gardens to increase the public’s knowledge and

appreciation for the local landscape and unique habitat of this area. 

Separate brochures could be developed to target youth in public schools

and an adult audience. Information brochures and other materials should

be distributed through local public schools and directly to private

landowners and other interested parties in the local area. A method to

monitor effectiveness of the outreach program should be developed.

7.3 Hold public meetings. We, the California Department of Fish and Game,

California Department of Parks and Recreation, Monterey County and

applicable city government’s should hold at least one informal public

meeting to explain recovery activities for the listed species and to

encourage local appreciation of the unique species found in the County.

8. Reevaluate recovery criteria and revise recovery plan based on

knowledge obtained from research, monitoring, and management. The

scientific validity of the recovery criteria and recovery plan should be

reviewed and revised as more information becomes available. The criterion

of maintaining sufficient populations or conservation areas should be

examined. Additionally, the success or failure of management actions should

be evaluated.

8.1 Reevaluate recovery criteria. The criteria for downlisting and delisting

the taxa in this recovery plan should be evaluated based on future

information gathered from life history studies, research, monitoring, and

management actions. If necessary, downlisting or delisting criteria should

be refined.

8.2 Revise recovery plan as needed. The recovery plan should be kept

current and useful by being updated, amended, or revised based on the

expanded knowledge from research and monitoring results and evaluation
91

of the relative success and failure of the management programs in

attaining recovery goals. Management responses should be incorporated

into the revised recovery program when potential threats are found to be

actual threats.
92

IV. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The table that follows is a summary of scheduled actions and costs for recovery of

Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, Trifolium

trichocalyx, and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana. It is a guide for meeting

the objectives discussed in Part III of this recovery plan. The table includes the

following five elements:

1. Priority. The actions identified in the Implementation schedule are those that,

in our opinion, should bring about the recovery of these species. However, the

actions are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species

status, and the completion of recovery actions. The priority for each action is

given in the first column of the Implementation Schedule, and are assigned as

follows:

Priority 1: An action that must be taken to prevent extinction or to prevent

the species from declining irreversibly in the foreseeable

future.

Priority 2: An action that must be taken to prevent a significant decline in

species population/habitat quality or some other significant

negative impact short of extinction.

Priority 3: All other actions necessary to provide for full recovery of the

species.

2. Action Number and Description. The action number and description are

extracted from the stepdown narrative found in Part III of the recovery plan. 

Please refer back to this narrative for a fuller description of each action.

3. Action Duration. The action duration column indicates the number of years

estimated to complete the action if it is a discrete action, or whether it is a

continual or ongoing action. Continual and ongoing actions are defined as

follows:

Continuous: Action will be implemented on an annual basis once it is

begun.
93

Ongoing: Action is currently being implemented and will continue until

no longer necessary for recovery.

4. Responsible Parties. In the table, we have identified agencies and other

parties that we believe are primary stakeholders in the recovery process. The list

of potential stakeholders is not limited to the list below; other stakeholders are

invited to participate. For each task, the most logical lead agency or agencies

(based on authorities, mandates, and capabilities) has been identified with an

asterisk (*). The following abbreviations are used to indicate responsible parties

for each recovery action for the five listed species:

CCC California Coastal Commission

CDFG California Department of Fish and Game

CDPR California Department of Parks and Recreation

CITY City of Monterey, Pacific Grove, etc.

COUNTY County of Monterey, San Mateo, Los Angeles, or San Diego

DMFF Del Monte Forest Foundation

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

NGO nongovernmental organizations (e.g., California Native Plant

Society, Big Sur Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Del Monte

Forest Foundation, etc.)

PBC Pebble Beach Company

PVT Private parties

RSABG Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

TBD to be determined

WG working group

5. Cost Estimates. Cost estimates are shown for each recovery action, both for

the first 5 years after release of the recovery plan and for the total estimated cost

of recovery. Total costs for continuous and ongoing actions are projected based

on the estimated 12-year timeframe for delisting or downlisting, and were

developed in part using timelines and cost estimates for other federally listed

species and estimated cost estimates based on site-specific areas in the Monterey

Peninsula. The estimated costs include estimated salaries for individuals who

would carry out the identified action. The inclusion of estimated costs in this
94

recovery plan does not commit any agency or party to an expenditure of funds. 

Therefore, initiation and completion of these actions is subject to the availability

of funds as well as other constraints affecting the stakeholders involved.
95

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR RECOVERY PLAN 

FOR FIVE PLANTS FROM MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

Need 1: Secure and protect existing species habitats that occur on private or unprotected lands

1 1.1 Inform landowners 5 FWS*, CDFG,

NGOs

10 2 2 

1 1.2 Consult and coordinate with

agencies involved with recoveryactivities

ongoing

FWS*, COUNTY,

CDFG, CDPR,

NGOs, PBC, DMFF

48 4 4 

1 1.3.1 Establish protection agreements and

secure habitat sites with permissionof the landowners: Landacquisition or fee title ownership

TBD FWS*, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF*,

CITY, PVT*,

COUNTY

TBD TBD TB

1 1.3.2 Establish protection agreements and

secure habitat sites with permissionof the landowners: Open space andconservation easements

TBD FWS*, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF*, 

CITY, PVT*,

COUNTY

TBD TBD TB

1 1.4.1 Protect habitat for Astragalus tener

var. titi

2 FWS, CDFG, CCC,

PBC*, PVT*

6 33
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

96

1 1.4.2 Protect habitat for Piperia yadonii 2 FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF*,

PVT, CITY

20 10 1

1 1.4.3 Protect habitat for Potentilla

hickmanii

2 FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF, PVT

10 5 5 

1 1.4.4 Protect habitat for Trifolium

trichocalyx

2 FWS, CDFG,

DMFF*, PBC*,

PVT

10 5 5 

1 1.4.5 Protect habitat for Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana

2 FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF*,

CDPR*, PVT

6 33

Need 1 Subtotal Cost: 110+ 32+ 32

Need 2: Manage private and secured lands to control or eliminate threats to existing population

1 2.1 Minimize threats to Astragalus

tener var. titi

continuous FWS, CDFG, CCC,

PBC*, PVT*

60 5 5 

1 2.2 Minimize threats to Piperia yadonii continuous FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF*, 

PVT*, NGOs,

CITY, COUNTY

60 5 5 
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

97

1 2.3 Minimize threats to Potentilla

hickmanii

continuous FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF, 

PVT

60 5 5 

1 2.4 Minimize threats to Trifolium

trichocalyx

continuous FWS, CDFG,

CITY, COUNTY,

PBC*, DMFF*,

PVT

60 5 5 

1 2.5 Minimize threats to Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana

continuous FWS, CDFG,

CDPR*, PBC*,

DMFF*, PVT

60 5 5 

3 2.6 Identify and address any newly

identified threats

TBD TBD TBD

Need 2 Subtotal Cost: 300 25 2

Need 3: Develop management strategies based on the species life histories and the species responses to vege

1 3.1.1 Develop species management

guidelines through working group

3 FWS*, CDFG,

PBC, DMFF,

CDPR, PVT, CITY,

COUNTY

25 15 5 
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

98

1 3.1.2 Implement species management

guidelines

4 TBD 40 0 2

1 3.2.1 Life history and management

research on Astragalus tener var.titi

4 WG* 42 12 1

1 3.2.2 Life history and management

research on Piperia yadonii

4 WG* 42 12 1

1 3.2.3 Life history and management

research on Potentilla hickmanii

4 WG* 42 12 1

1 3.2.4 Life history and management

research on Trifolium trichocalyx

4 WG* 42 12 1

1 3.2.5 Life history and management

research on Cupressus govenianassp. goveniana

4 WG* 42 12 1

Need 3 Subtotal Cost: 317 75 8
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

99

Need 4: Determine other suitable habitat areas for additional occurrences, reestablishment, or reintroduct

2 4.1 Develop predictive models using

GIS to identify potentially suitableor restorable habitat

2 TBD 10 5 5 

2 4.2.1 Survey Astragalus tener var. titi

habitat

3 FWS*, CDFG, TBD 30 10 1

2 4.2.2 Survey Piperia yadonii habitat 3 FWS*, CDFG, TBD 15 5 5 

2 4.2.3 Survey Potentilla hickmanii habitat 3 FWS*, CDFG, TBD 30 10 1

2 4.2.4 Survey Trifolium trichocalyx habitat 3 FWS*, CDFG, TBD 30 10 1

2 4.3.1 Reintroduce/establish Astragalus

tener var. titi

10-15 FWS*, TBD 95 15 1

2 4.3.2 Reintroduce/establish Potentilla

hickmanii

10-15 FWS*, TBD 95 15 1

2 4.3.3 Reintroduce/establish Trifolium

trichocalyx

10-15 FWS*, TBD 95 15 1

Need 4 Subtotal Cost: 400 85 8
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

100

Need 5: Use research results and monitoring of current populations, reintroduced populations, and potent

effectiveness of management actions.

3 5.1.1 Utilize recent mapping of density

and individual performance ofAstragalus tener var. titi plants

within the 17-Mile Drive enclosure

1 PBC*, FWS, DFG 2 2 0 

3 5.1.2 Monitor existing Astragalus tener

var. titi population via areal extent

of populations due to above-groundplants being highly erratic fromyear-to-year

continual PBC* 24 2 2 

3 5.1.3 Monitor existing Astragalus tener

var. titi population for effects of

grazing

continual PBC* 12 1 

3 5.1.4 Monitor survival, seed protection,

and recruitment of Potentillahickmanii from year-to-year

5 FWS, CDFG,

PBC*, DMFF, PVT

60 5 5 
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

101

3 5.1.5 Monitor populations of Piperia

yadonii

5 FWS, DFG, PBC*,

DMFF, NGOs

60 5 5 

3 5.1.6 Monitor populations of Trifolium

trichocalyx

5 FWS, DFG, PBC*,

DMFF*, NGOs

60 5 5 

3 5.1.7 Monitor populations of Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana

5 FWS, DFG,

CDPR*, PBC*,

DMFF*, NGOs

60 5 5 

3 5.2.1 Evaluate effectiveness of methods

used to reduce threats

ongoing FWS*, CDFG 60 5 5 

3 5.2.2 Evaluate research results and use in

future management

ongoing FWS*, CDFG 60 5 5 

2 5.3 Establish an ex situ seed bank for

seed representing each of thepopulations of the five listed plants

3 PBC, RSABG* 25 10 1

Need 5 Subtotal Cost: 423 50 4

Need 6: Coordinate recovery actions to benefit other listed species and species of concern
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

102

3 6 Coordinate recovery actions to

benefit other listed species andspecies of concern

ongoing FWS*, CDFG*,

CDPR, CITY,

COUNTY, DMFF,

NGOS, PBC, PVT

24 2 2 

Need 6 Subtotal Cost: 24 2 2 

Need 7: Develop and implement a public outreach program

3 7.1 Provide information and coordinate

with lead agencies

5 FWS*, TBD 30 6 6 

3 7.2 Provide species information to the

public through outreach programs

5 FWS*, CDFG, TBD 25 5 5 

3 7.3 Hold public meetings 2 FWS*, CDFG,

CDPR, CITY,

COUNTY, PBC

4 22

Need 7 Subtotal Cost: 59 13 1
Cost Estimates 

Action

Priority #

Action

#

Action Description Action

Duration

(years)

Responsible

Party

Total

Cost

FY1 FY

103

Need 8: Reevaluate recovery criteria and revise recovery plan on knowledge obtained from research, moni

3 8.1 Reevaluate recovery criteria 2 FWS*, CDFG 4 0 0 3 8.2 Revise recovery plan as needed 2 FWS*, CDFG 8 0 0 

Need 8 Subtotal Cost: 12 0 0 TOTAL COSTS: 1645+ 282+ 28

Total estimated cost of recovery through projected date of downlisting or delisting in 2016: $1,645,000 + costs that cannot be estimated at this time.
104

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Administration. 2000. Policy regarding controlled propagation of species

listed under the Endangered Species Act. Federal Register

65(183):56916-56922. September 20, 2000.

Vogl, R.J., White, K.L., W.P. Armstrong, and K.L. Cole. 1988. The closed-cone

pines and cypress. Pp. 295-358 in: M.G. Barbour and J. Major (eds.). 

Terrestrial Vegetation of California. California Native Plant Society. 

Sacramento, California. 1,020 pp.

Wells, T.C. 1981. Population ecology of terrestrial orchids. Pp. 281-295 in:

Synge, H. (ed.) The biological aspects of rare plant conservation. John

Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 558 pp.

Wilken, D.H., and W.F. Jennings. 1993. Orchidaceae. Pp. 1211-1218 in: J.C.

Hickman (Ed.) The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. 

University of California Press. Berkeley, California. 1,400 pp.

Wolf, C.B. and W.W. Wagener. 1948. The New World Cypresses. Vol. 1. 

Aliso 1:1-250.

Zander Associates and WWD Corporation. 2004. Piperia yadonii Census,

Spring 2004, Pebble Beach. Unpublished report on file at the Ventura

Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California.
111

B. Personal Communications

Gray, K. 1997. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Point Lobos

State Reserve, Monterey, California.

Morgan, R. 1996. California Native Plant Society, Monterey, California.

Nedeff, N. 2001. Big Sur Land Trust, Carmel, California.

Spruance, R. 2003. Environmental Programs, Pebble Beach Company, Pebble

Beach, California.

C. In Litt. References

Ertter, B. 1997. Letter from the Curator of Western North American Flora, 

University of California, Berkeley, to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Ventura, California. 

Graff, A. 2002. Facimile comments from Ms. Alison Graff, peer reviewer for the

draft recovery plan for five plants from Monterey County, California. 

Comments submitted to the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura,

California. 

Griggs, M. 1988. California Native Species Field Survey Form, California

Natural Diversity Data Base, California Department of Fish and Game,

Sacramento, California.

Grove, T. 2000. Letter from Ms. Tami Grove, Deputy Director, California

Coastal Commission, to Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Salinas,

California. 

Leitner, B. 2001. Letter from Ms. Barbara Leitner, Environmental Science

Associates, to Ms. Diane Pratt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura, California.
112

Matthews, M.A. 2002. Letter from Ms. Mary Ann Matthews, Conservation

Chair of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society,

to Ms. Heidi E.D. Crowell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Ventura, California.

Messenger, D.L. 2002. Facsimile letter, dated July 2, 2002, from Ms. Derinda L.

Messenger, Esq., Lombardo and Gilles, PLC, to Ms. Heidi E.D. Crowell,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office,

Ventura, California.

Morosco, T. 1997. Summary of observations and research from Mr. Morosco,

University of California, Berkeley, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Ventura, California.

Norman, J. 1995. Field survey form. 1 page.

Penick, W.C. 1992. Letter from the Del Monte Forest Foundation President,

Pebble Beach, California, to Ms. Connie Rutherford, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Ventura, California.

Rogers, D.L. 2002. Letter from Ms. Deborah L. Rogers, Ph.D., Conservation

Geneticist and Director of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative,

University of California, Davis, California, to Ms. Diane Noda, Field

Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California.

Stromberg, M.R. 2002. Letter from Dr. Mark R. Stromberg, Resident Reserve

Director, U.C. Hastings Reserve (including notes from Vern Yadon,

Emeritus Director, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and Steve

Staub, Professional Forester, Del Monte Forest Foundation), to Ms. Diane

Noda, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura,

California.

Vonarb, R. 1995. California Native Species Field Survey Form, California

Natural Diversity Data Base, California Department of Fish and Game,

Sacramento, California.
113

Yadon, V. 1983. Letter from Dr. Yadon, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural

History, to Dr. Daniel J. Axelrod, regarding taxonomy of Trifolium

trichocalyx.

Yadon, V. 1992. Letter from Dr. Yadon, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural

History, to Dr. Duane Isley, Department of Botany, Iowa State University,

Ames, Iowa. 

Yadon, V. 1997. Letter from Dr. Yadon, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural

History, to Ms. Diane Noda, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura,

California.

Yadon, V. 2000. Letter from Dr. Yadon to Ms. Diane Noda, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Ventura, California.

Yadon, V. 2002. Comment letter on the draft recovery plan for five plants from

Monterey County, California, from Mr. Yadon to Ms. Diane Noda, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura, California.

 

Zander, M. 1996. Letter from Michael Zander, Zander Associates, to Edward Y.

Brown, Pebble Beach Company, Pebble Beach, California.
A - 1

APPENDIX A. Explanation of Recovery Priority System

The Recovery Priority System uses the criteria of degree of threat, recovery potential, and

taxonomy (level of genetic distinctiveness) to assign all listed species a number (1-18). A fourth

factor, conflict, is a supplementary element in determining what actions are to be implemented for

species recovery. This factor gives priority, within each category, in preparation of recovery plans

to species that are, or may be in conflict with construction or development projects. Thus, the

species retains its numerical rank and acquires the letter designation of “C”, indicating conflict

(1C-18C). A detailed discussion of the Recovery Priority System can be found in 48 FR 51985.

 Degree

of

 Threat

 Recovery

 Potential Taxonomy Priority Conflict

 High

High

High

High

Low

Low

Low

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

1

2

3

4

5

6

 1C

1

 2C

 2

3C

 3

4C

4

5C

5

6C

6 

 Moderate

High

High

High

Low

Low

Low

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

7

8

9

10

11

12

7C

7

8C

8

9C

9

10C

10

11C

11

12C

12

 Low

High

High

High

Low

Low

Low

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

Monotypic genus

Species

Subspecies

13

14

15

16

17

18

13C

13

14C

14

15C

15

16C

16

17C

17

18C

18
B - 1

APPENDIX B. Summary of comments and recommendations on the Draft

Recovery Plan for Five Plants from Monterey County, California

We solicited comments from appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies,

scientific organizations, and other interested parties. Additionally, we invited

public comment through the publication of a notice in the Monterey Herald on

May 17, 2002, and in the San Mateo County Times on May 18, 2002. We

received individually written letters from seven parties. These parties include five

private citizens or interested nonprofit organizations, and two of the four

individuals we requested to peer review the draft document.

We reviewed all comments received for substantive issues and new information

regarding Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii,

Trifolium trichocalyx, and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana. Most general or

species-specific comments regarding corrections, new information, or

recommendations were included in this final plan. Substantive comments or

recommendations are also addressed in the following summary:

General Comments or Recommendations for All Species

Comment 1: One commenter recommends that we work with the Pebble Beach

Company, the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and other private landowners

within the Pebble Beach jurisdictional area to designate large tracts of protected

open space within Del Monte Forest to buffer all the recovery plan species from

continued threats. The commenter also believes that large areas of protected

habitat will provide the necessary environmental setting for continued

investigation and monitoring of these species.

Our Response: We continue to work with the Pebble Beach Company by

attending meetings and providing recommendations on project proposals that

relate to threatened and endangered species. We also recently provided

recommendations to the Monterey Peninsula Country Club on their shore course

improvement project as it relates to Astragalus tener var. titi. We agree and will

continue to recommend that private landowners should provide protected areas

for various federally listed species on their properties throughout the Monterey
B - 2

Peninsula.

Comment 2: One commenter questions who will determine where suitable habitat

is, as discussed in the recovery strategy for each listed species.

Our Response: Suitable habitat would be determined by researchers, agency

experts, species experts, or others (e.g. restoration ecologists) with appropriate

expertise on the given species or taxonomic group and their habitat requirements..

Comment 3: One commenter believes a long-term recovery plan should not

include specific comments on proposed development plans.

Our Response: We disagree with this comment. Any proposed project that

directly or indirectly threatens the continued existence of a listed species should

be addressed in a recovery plan. Smaller proposed developments that would have

negligible effects on these species are not usually specifically addressed.

Recovery plans are intended to identify all threats for a listed species and set forth

a strategy to eliminate them.

Comment 4: One commenter states that the draft recovery plan refers to

“adequate acreage and size” in connection with recovery strategies and requests a

definition of what is “adequate” and who or what determines the numbers and

criteria used to establish the definition of “adequate”.

Our Response: Our definition of what we believe is “adequate acreage and size”

of the listed plant species pertains to areas that are large enough based on research

to support a functioning ecosystem (e.g., species present to support seed dispersal

and pollination, the range of habitat variation needed by the species, and areas

that harbor suitable unoccupied habitat for population expansion). Research

should be designed to determine these parameters. Areas should be configured

such that ecosystem and community processes and associated species (e.g.,

hydrologic regime, food webs, pollinator fauna, forest meadow communities) are

maintained.

Comment 5: One commenter states that the draft recovery plan refers to

properties as “unsecured” if they are not held in fee title or under a conservation
B - 3

easement by a nonprofit organization. The commenter believes this assumption is

inaccurate.

Our Response: We use the term “unsecured” when discussing the recovery

strategy in section III.A.1 of this recovery plan. We state that Trifolium

trichocalyx and most Astragalus tener var. titi plants currently exist within

“unsecured” habitat on Pebble Beach Company and/or Monterey Peninsula

Country Club property. We believe this habitat is “unsecured” because they are

not fully protected from development (e.g., recreational activities) threats. A

conservation easement is an example of an arrangement where land would be

protected in perpetuity from development threats.

Comment 6: One commenter states that the draft recovery plan does not

acknowledge the 20+ years of Pebble Beach Company’s invasive plant removal

program, leaving the reader to assume this is a new concept recommended by the

draft recovery plan. The commenter believes that ongoing efforts of maintenance

practices employed by Pebble Beach Company should be mentioned.

Our Response: We have revised the recovery plan to include statements about

Pebble Beach Company’s ongoing weed eradication program. This program has

the potential to significantly benefit listed plant species in the area. However,

these weed removal activities are not conducted on a regular basis. They are

conducted depending on time and weather conditions. Additionally, no

information is available that documents where removal has occurred, success of

nonnative removal activities, or on the effects of removal activities on threatened

and endangered species (R. Spruance, Environmental Programs, Pebble Beach

Company, pers. comm. 2003). The primary focus of the weed eradication

program has been in dune areas for Genista monspessulana (french broom),

Cortaderia sp. (pampas or jubata grass), Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle), and

iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis). We recommend nonnative species removal in

areas where listed plants are found. We also believe it is imperative to record and

revisit these sites to determine effectiveness of removal activities and apply

adaptive management where necessary. 

Comment 7: One commenter is confused regarding the following statements we
B - 4

make in the Disclaimer on page ii: “Objectives of the plan will be attained and

necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints

affecting the parties involved. . .” and “Recovery plans do not obligate

cooperating or other parties to undertake specific tasks. . .”. The commenter

believes these are two competing statements.

Our Response: Recovery plans are strategic-level planning documents prepared

by us to assist landowners, agencies, nonprofit organizations, and interested

parties in recovery efforts for federally listed species on their property. The

document does not legally bind a landowner to conduct the activities outlined. 

However, it should be used to assist these parties in planning activities and

provide information that would guide them to aid in the recovery of listed species.

Comment 8: One commenter inquires where the funding for recovery actions will

come from, who will manage the funds, who has oversight of accounting

practices, and whether there are secondary costs associated with the

administration and management of the funds.

Our Response: Funding could be obtained from individual private landowners,

Federal or State agencies, or through grant opportunities. In some cases (e.g.,

conservation easements), a nonprofit organization may hold an endowment for

management and monitoring activities for that property. The source of the funds

usually determines how they can be used and administered.

Comment 9: One commenter believes the recovery plan title should be changed

to “Five plants in the Del Monte Forest” because the draft plan focuses

overwhelmingly on the Del Monte Forest area.

Our Response: Although each of the five listed species occur within or adjacent

to the Del Monte Forest, they (with the exception of Trifolium trichocalyx) have

current or historical occurrences outside of the Del Monte Forest area. Therefore,

we believe it would be misleading to change the title of this recovery plan at this

time.

Comment 10: One commenter states that the draft recovery plan repeatedly refers
B - 5

to “unnamed private landowners”, yet the plan is careful to be specific when the

Pebble Beach Company (also a private landowner) is involved.

Our Response: We are currently unaware of all the landowners who own

property supporting Piperia yadonii and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana in

Monterey County, and one population of Potentilla hickmanii in San Mateo

County. We acknowledge this difficulty in Action 1.1 of the Narrative Outline in

the final recovery plan. However, we state private landowner names in those

cases where the landowner is known and is an entity rather than an individual. 

The Pebble Beach Company is well known, owns a large portion of property on

the Monterey Peninsula, and we are aware of federally listed species throughout

their property. Therefore, we have included their name in sections of the

recovery plan that discuss recovery efforts that may be applicable to them.

Comment 11: One commenter states that the recovery strategy in the draft

recovery plan refers to a management plan as if one does not already exist. The

commenter believes the final recovery plan should include reference to the Del

Monte Forest Land Use Plan and Open Space Advisory Committee guidelines

that are already in place.

Our Response: We have included reference to the Del Monte Forest Land Use

Plan and Open Space Advisory Committee guidelines in the final recovery plan. 

However, we note that the land use plan and guidelines should be revised to

include an adaptive management approach for the listed species addressed in this

recovery plan. Permanent protection of habitat and appropriate management

activities should be included for these and other federally listed species in the Del

Monte Forest area (e.g., California red-legged frog).

Comment 12: One commenter states that prescribed burns are extremely unlikely

to be approved for the Del Monte Forest area and therefore any recovery strategy

discussing prescribed burning should be eliminated from the final recovery plan.

Our Response: We strongly recommend development of an extremely protective

controlled burn plan in portions of the Del Monte forest. Not only is fire a

necessary tool for Trifolium trichocalyx and Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana
B - 6

recruitment, but it is also a natural process for the forest on the Monterey

Peninsula. We believe a working group could develop a controlled burn plan that

would provide protection to homes and facilities, which appears to be the biggest

concern for landowners in the Del Monte Forest area. Therefore, we have

included prescribed burn management in the final recovery plan.

Comment 13: One commenter states that although they agree with the general

goals and statements as put forth in the narrative outline of the draft recovery

plan, they believe that a strong recovery team should be assembled and

participation should not be limited to regulatory agencies. The recovery team

should then be allowed to define the actions required and be involved with the

ongoing review of monitoring of such actions. The commenter also states that the

recovery plan needs to strengthen species-specific details, including identifying

threats and recovery tasks. The commenter states that new management

techniques should be tested on experimental populations before implementation

on a broad scale and that we should not preclude logical management.

Our Response: We agree that a recovery team should be developed to include

qualified third-party scientists and knowledgeable restorationists, as well as

representatives from various agencies (i.e., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

California Department of Fish and Game, California Coastal Commission,

California Department of Parks and Recreation), City and County governments,

nonprofit organizations (i.e., Del Monte Forest Foundation, California Native

Plant Society, Big Sur Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, etc.), and interested

parties. We have also attempted to strengthen the species accounts with new

information, including that provided during the public comment period for the

draft recovery plan. When sound experimental studies are developed, we

acknowledge that experimental plantings of the listed species may be warranted. 

However, experimental plantings should not preclude proper management of

existing populations and enhancement of the species habitat addressed in this

recovery plan.

Comment 14: One commenter recommends that we not consider reintroductions

of these species to be a viable alternative when the plant communities they used

to inhabit have been so radically altered by historical changes in soils, drainage,
B - 7

water levels, topography, and flora. The commenter believes the long-term

measures of recovery success should then be tied to restoration of these complex

plant communities.

Our Response: We agree that reintroductions should not be the only alternative

for recovery of these species, and that in some cases prior restoration of the plant

community may be necessary before an introduction can be attempted. The

recovery plan outlines reintroduction as one component of a broader strategy

which also includes full protection of existing habitats, elimination of current

threats, and enhancement of occupied and unoccupied suitable habitat.

Comment 15: One peer reviewer believes the designation of critical habitat

should seriously be considered. The peer reviewer believes that a critical habitat

designation would be an effective way of providing educational opportunities for

the public and land use agencies (e.g., California Coastal Commission) on the

plight of these species. Additionally, a critical habitat designation would give

land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, and other agencies seeking land acquisitions

or easements concrete criteria when prioritizing parcels for acquisition.

Our Response: The final rule listing Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia yadonii,

Potentilla hickmanii, and Trifolium trichocalyx as endangered, and Cupressus

goveniana ssp. goveniana as threatened determined that designation of critical

habitat was not prudent for these plant taxa. In the case of Potentilla hickmanii

and Piperia yadonii, regulatory reasons outlined in section 3 and section 4(a)(3)

of the Endangered Species Act apply. In the case of Astragalus tener var. titi,

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana, and Trifolium trichocalyx, a designation

would not be prudent because it would result in no known benefit to the taxa. 

Decisions regarding designation of critical habitat are distinct from the recovery

planning process.

Comment 16: One commenter states that the California Coastal Commission

encourages and requires coastal activities and recreational opportunities near the

shoreline. However, they believe this is in direct conflict with our mission to

recover Astragalus tener var. titi or any other listed species that occurs along

coastal areas. The commenter believes that Pebble Beach Company’s adherence
B - 8

with the California Coastal Commission’s conditions should not be a “reason for

listing”. The commenter also asks if we intend to require removal of the

enclosure and coastal access facilities.

Our Response: Development within the coastal zone must adhere with the

California Coastal Act’s (Coastal Act) requirements. The Del Monte Forest Land

Use Plan (DMF LUP) was certified by the California Coastal Commission and

development permits within the Del Monte Forest Coastal Zone became the

responsibility of the County of Monterey. However, in some cases the Monterey

County planning process does not appear to be implemented in a manner that will

maintain the standards developed in the DMF LUP. For example, the Coastal Act

defines Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs) as “...any area in

which plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially

valuable...and which could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities

and developments.” Monterey County policy identifies ESHAs as those

identified in the 1984 DMF LUP. Because Piperia yadonii was not recognized

taxonomically in 1984, its occurrence in the Del Monte Forest is not addressed as

an ESHA in Pebble Beach Company’s proposed development (EIP Associates

1995). Additionally, Astragalus tener var. titi habitat is not identified as an

ESHA. These species therefore do not receive the protections afforded by the

Coastal Act (EIP Associates 1995). We believe it is important for the DMF LUP

to be updated to address these endangered species and provide them the level of

protection needed to support recovery. We believe this goal can be accomplished

with careful planning while also providing recreational opportunities for the

public. In regard to the commenter’s concern over the A. tener var. titi enclosure,

as mentioned in this recovery plan, the enclosure may need to be removed

because it is likely not providing the best habitat conditions for the plants. 

However, it is imperative to the survival of this population that Pebble Beach

Company not only remove the enclosure, but also address the ongoing threats to

the taxon.
1

 - Botanical survey guidelines are available on our website at the following internet address: 

http://ventura.fws.gov/SurveyProt/Botanical_surv.htm

B - 9

Specific Comments for Astragalus tener var. titi

Comment 17: Two commenters are concerned that Astragalus tener var. titi

habitat along 17-Mile Drive is being incorrectly managed. One of these

commenters believes the first priority should be the preservation of its existing

habitat because of the species’ low numbers and because this location is the only

wild population currently known.

Our Response: We agree with the commenter that full protection should be

provided to the existing population on the Monterey Peninsula. This recovery

action is given a priority of “1" in the implementation schedule found in this

recovery plan. This recovery action should be followed by removing any existing

threats that may cause further decline of this population on both Pebble Beach

Company and Monterey Peninsula Country Club property.

Comment 18: One commenter is concerned about the impacts of the proposed

changes in the Monterey Peninsula Shore Course Improvement to the Astragalus

tener var. titi population.

Our Response: We provided comments to the Monterey County Building and

Inspection Department in a letter dated December 20, 2001. The letter outlined

our concerns with the proposed project on listed plant species in the area. 

Additionally, our letter outlined those actions that we believed should be

conducted prior to any ground disturbing activities, to include 1) conducting

thorough surveys for the threatened Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens (Monterey

spineflower), and the endangered Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia), Layia

carnosa (beach layia), Erysimum menziesii (Menzies’ wallflower), Gilia

tenuiflora ssp. arenaria (sand gilia), Lupinus tidestromii (Tidestrom’s lupine) and

Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla) prior to onset of any construction

activities; 2) utilizing our Guidelines for Botanical Inventories1

 in the absence of

specific protocols; 3) providing a suitable buffer area between development and

sensitive species (i.e., Astragalus tener var. titi and Trifolium polypodon [Pacific

Grove clover]); 3) conducting golf-course greens maintenance activities (i.e.,
B - 10

mowing, fertilizer use, herbicide use with a glyphosate-based herbicide) after

Astragalus tener var. titi has died back and before its germination period begins;

4) describing and outlining the type of disturbance to be allowed within A. tener

var. titi areas in a management plan prior to construction activities; 5) developing

a plan for the habitat restoration efforts that were proposed; 6) initiating 

restoration efforts prior to construction/shore course improvement activities and

around known populations of A. tener var. titi and Trifolium polypodon to benefit

plants that currently occur on the project site by allowing for population

expansion; and, 7) developing success criteria for the restoration program prior to

the onset of any construction or restoration activities, including a schedule of

restoration activities, monthly and/or annual plans for restoration activities, and

methods for monitoring and reporting the success of the restoration program.

Comment 19: One commenter states that Pebble Beach Company submitted a

Memorandum of Understanding to the California Department of Fish and Game 

several years ago regarding conservation of Astragalus tener var. titi. However,

the California Department of Fish and Game has not responded. The commenter

requests that the Conservation Measures section of the recovery plan be restated

to reflect the fact that California Department of Fish and Game has not responded.

Our Response: We removed the reference to a Memorandum of Understanding in

the A. tener var. titi conservation measures section of this recovery plan. 

Comment 20: One commenter strongly encourages a survey of the private lands

in the general locality of the current Astragalus tener var. titi population.

Our Response: We agree and have therefore recommended additional surveys in

the narrative outline of this recovery plan (Action 4.2.1).

Comment 21: One commenter states that the long-term survival of Astragalus

tener var. titi cannot be considered “recovered” in the absence of natural habitat. 

The commenter believes that a garden of this species planted each year

somewhere on the landscape is not a “successful” scenario and that fencing the

population and “leaving it alone” is not an effective conservation alternative. 

They believe that restoration of the physical conditions and plant community
B - 11

associated with the edges of vernal wet areas adjacent to coastal terrace prairie

would be the most likely long-term habitat to sustain populations of A. tener var.

titi. Additionally, the commenter believes that because Pebble Beach Company

and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club have the resources available to manage

the landscape based on commercial uses, these landowners should become

involved in an effort to restore an ecologically viable plant community with this

species.

Our Response: We agree with the commenter that A. tener var. titi habitat will

require restoration and protection. Therefore, we have provided

recommendations in this recovery plan that include reducing current threats,

restoring habitat adjacent to the existing population to allow for expansion,

surveying addition suitable habitat for additional populations, and reestablishing

populations in historical locations.

Comment 22: One commenter believes a long-term commitment must be made

by cooperating parties to establish a garden/greenhouse population of plants to

provide as diverse a seed source as possible. They state that specific monitoring

tasks must be clearly defined and documented each year for both the

garden/greenhouse seed production and a grassland restoration effort. 

Additionally, the commenter states that although the Pebble Beach Company

started a greenhouse propagation program in the 1990's, turnover in staff without

any transitional training has resulted in the loss of an effective greenhouse

program. Therefore, the commenter recommends an annual training program for

workers to identify the plants and become familiar with the entire recovery effort.

Our Response: We have recommended and included the following actions in this

recovery plan: 1) establishment of an ex situ seed bank (i.e., Action 5.3); 

2) establishment of a working group (i.e., Action 3.1) to develop and implement

recovery guidelines, which could also include plan development for a greenhouse

population of this taxon; and 3) establishment of informational outreach

programs for workers (i.e., Action 2.1.1) and the general public (i.e., Action 7.0).

Comment 23: One commenter believes that small areas near Bird Rock should be

set aside for manipulation, experimental plantings, and monitoring. The
B - 12

commenter suggests restoration of vernal wet areas and coastal grasslands

through community outreach for residents of all ages. They believe that

volunteer opportunities to restore the natural landscape would probably have

positive reception.

Our Response: We agree that there is potential Astragalus tener var. titi habitat

in the Bird Rock area. However, much of this habitat is in need of restoration

efforts, most specifically nonnative vegetation control of Carpobrotus edulis

(iceplant), Plantago coronopus (cut-leaf plantain), and Carex pansa (Pansa

sedge). These threats should be removed prior to establishing any new or

experimental populations of A. tener var. titi. 

Specific Comments for Piperia yadonii

Comment 24: One of the peer reviewers concludes that Piperia species cannot be

distinguished with any certainty if plants are only in a vegetative form (i.e., leaves

only). The peer reviewer believes that any individual who reports apparent leaf

differences should document in writing what they see and how they prove the

differences to be real. Additionally, another commenter states that extraordinarily

large numbers of Piperia yadonii recorded during the 1995 surveys were during a

very wet year, and the total count of 82,700 individuals was based on counting

leaves before the plant was in bloom. Therefore, the surveys did not meet the

survey protocol for this species. The commenter believes the number of

individuals seen during 1995 to have been artificially high, as numbers seen since

then have been lower.

Our Response: We have included the peer reviewer’s comments into the

recovery plan regarding the difficulty in distinguishing between Piperia species

that have not flowered. We strongly recommend that all biologists conducting

surveys for Piperia yadonii carry out a two-part survey. The first part should

occur in early spring, when the plant is in leaf and the maximum distribution of

non-dormant vegetative plants can be mapped. The second part should involve a

return visit to the survey area to identify flowering individuals. Due to the low

flowering rate and potential for herbivores to eat all the flowering spikes, a

portion of the population in leaf may need to be caged during the first survey
B - 13

period to ensure at least some flowering spikes survive for identification. Based

on the 2004 census results for the Del Monte Forest (see distribution section of

the P. yadonii species account) we do not believe the 1995/1996 surveys

overestimated the total population size in the Del Monte Forest. On the contrary,

for the two largest occurrences, the 1995/96 survey was likely an underestimate,

due to the survey method and the dormancy this species exhibits

Comment 25: One commenter states that deer have overpopulated the Monterey

Peninsula. As a result, approximately 5 percent of the Piperia yadonii plants

likely bloom and set seed. The commenter believes that a humane form of

limiting the deer population is essential if this plant species is expected to survive. 

The commenter believes the only other alternative is to cover plants with wire

baskets in order to give them a chance to set seed. However, this option is laborintensive and unattractive although the method has worked at Asilomar State

Beach for Erysimum menziesii ssp. menziesii (Menzies wallflower).

Our Response: Only a small part of the P. yadonii population that emerges in leaf

also sends up a flowering spike. This low flowering rate is often further reduced

by herbivory. We have included deer control as a potential measure to address in

the narrative outline for Piperia yadonii (Action 2.1.2). We also recommend

examining browsing on Astragalus tener var. titi (Action 5.1.3) and developing an

outreach program in an attempt to draw the public into assisting with potential

deer control (Action 7.2).

Comment 26: Two commenters state they have complained repeatedly about

roadside mowing of Piperia yadonii plants by Pebble Beach Company or the

Pebble Beach Community Services District. The commenters believe that maps

should be provided to drivers so inadvertent mowing of P. yadonii plants can be

avoided.

Our Response: We believe it is important to provide informational materials to

any worker who will be conducting maintenance activities within occupied

habitat for each of the five listed plants addressed in this recovery plan. Based on

previous complaints made, it may be necessary to reevaluate the approach we take

during working group discussions to ensure that roadside mowing of listed
B - 14

species does not occur.

Comment 27: One commenter believes it does not make any sense to protect

habitat areas in which disturbance would be minimal and animal life would be

most abundant because: 1) Piperia yadonii grows in numerous locations where

disturbance has occurred; and 2) it appears that P. yadonii is thriving in the

disturbed areas.

Our Response: We disagree with the commenter and believe that in any case

where the federally endangered Piperia yadonii occurs, some level of protection

is warranted until the species is no longer listed as an endangered species. 

Therefore, we have outlined a variety of recovery measures that we believe are

necessary to downlist Piperia yadonii to a threatened species. Additionally,

although P. yadonii may grow in areas where past disturbance has occurred, the

population might only be stable or may be declining due to the disturbance. We

should provide protection to all remaining patches of plants that are deemed

endangered by the Federal government.

Comment 28: One commenter believes the draft recovery plan refers to a highly

improbable and unrealistic goal of developing a deer and rabbit abatement

program in an urban forest area.

Our Response: We do not believe it is impossible to develop a deer or rabbit

control program. Therefore, we recommend developing control measures in

working group discussions which would provide interested parties and

landowners the opportunity to strategize and develop the best possible solution to

this growing problem for listed plant species on the Monterey Peninsula.

Comment 29: One commenter believes that dumping of nonsite-specific chipped

vegetation in Piperia yadonii habitat is introducing a host of unwanted species. 

The commenter recommends that chips to be spread for erosion control in areas

known to support populations of P. yadonii should be obtained only from very

local sources.

Our Response: We agree with the commenter and have recommended in this
B - 15

recovery plan that chips be those only from local sources if they are to be spread

on the Monterey Peninsula (Action 2.1.2).

Comment 30: One peer reviewer requests to know our definition of a

metapopulation. Additionally, the peer reviewer cannot discern six possible

metapopulations for Piperia yadonii unless artificial boundaries are placed

between them. The peer reviewer recommends establishing preserves that protect

a total of “x” individuals over “x” number of sites in each habitat type spread over

the entire geographic range of the species and that priority should be given to

large populations in large parcels (due to edge effects and effects of selfing). The

peer reviewer believes plants on each site should also have direct or indirect

(stepping stone) gene flow with plants on at least five other sites.

Our Response: We agree that more specific recovery criteria should be developed

that are objective and measurable. We have, therefore, revised the recovery

criteria and the discussion of metapopulations in this plan. We are also 

recommending research to address this issue.

Specific Comments for Potentilla hickmanii

Comment 31: One peer reviewer and two commenters state that immediate

corrective action is needed for Potentilla hickmanii population at the Indian

Village picnic area. They believe the recent change in hydrology has resulted in

extra drainage water directed into this area, thus causing a drastic change in water

availability and increased invasive grasses competing with P. hickmanii. 

Additionally, control of extra water and careful mowing may be critical to the

existence of this plant. 

Our Response: We agree with the peer review and commenters. We believe the

Potentilla hickmanii population is in serious threat of being extirpated as a result

of increased water flow into the area. We recommend that the Del Monte Forest

Foundation and the Pebble Beach Company immediately address this threat

(Action 2.1.3).
B - 16

Comment 32: One commenter states that Pebble Beach Company’s biologists do

not agree with us that mowing of the Indian Village site is detrimental to

expansion of habitat. The commenter says the Pebble Beach biologists believe

mowing (which is voluntarily conducted by the Pebble Beach Company) helps by

lessening competition for Potentilla hickmanii because it is a low growing species

unaffected by mowing.

Our Response: Under some circumstances, mowing could have beneficial effects

to Potentilla hickmanii. However, if mowing is conducted at the wrong time of

year, flower stalks or seed structures could be damaged, thus decreasing the

chances that seedlings would emerge the following season. If mowing is to

continue in the Indian Village picnic area, the Del Monte Forest Foundation

should develop a mowing schedule and provide mapping materials to workers

(Action 2.1.3).

Comment 33: One commenter questions who will determine where suitable

habitat is located for the recovery of Potentilla hickmanii.

Our Response: At least one other potential location (i.e., Carmello Meadows,

Point Lobos State Reserve) has been identified for establishment of additional

populations of Potentilla hickmanii. Additional research and surveys should be

conducted by qualified biologists/botanists to determine other suitable habitat

areas within the range of the species.

Comment 34: One commenter believes that we are recommending unrealistic

goals of relocating and/or removing the Del Monte Forest Foundation’s

recreational activities from the Indian Village area where Potentilla hickmanii

occurs.

Our Response: We have discussed this possibility with the Del Monte Forest

Foundation and Pebble Beach Company personnel in the past and they felt that

relocation of their recreational activities was not possible. However, this

population of plants is in worse condition today and immediate action is

necessary to prevent extinction of this population. All threats to this species

should be removed, to include those recreational activities that are threatening the
B - 17

continued existence of this species.

Comment 35: One commenter believes that a garden or greenhouse population of

Piperia yadonii plants should be made to provide as diverse a seed source as

possible. They also state that although the Pebble Beach Company started a

greenhouse propagation program in the 1990's, turnover in staff without

transitional training has seen the loss of an effective greenhouse program.

Our Response: As stated in comment #22 above, a seed bank should be

established, and a working group could be developed to address establishment of

a greenhouse population of this species.

Specific Comments for Trifolium trichocalyx

Comment 36: Two commenters believe some form of fire is needed to prevent

extirpation of Trifolium trichocalyx. One of the commenters suggests an

experiment to remove most trees from approximately a half-acre parcel in known

T. trichocalyx habitat using a dry-slash technique to create a ground fire. The

second commenter suggests maintaining a mosaic of small burns to allow the

plant to flower on a 5- to 10-year cycle.

Our Response: We have recommended to the Pebble Beach Company in the past

that a prescribed burn is needed for Trifolium trichocalyx. However, there is

much concern over private property (e.g., residences) in close proximity to the

Huckleberry Hill area where T. trichocalyx was last found. We believe it is

important for the recovery of this species to develop some form of prescribed

burn and have therefore recommended this measure in Action 2.1.4.

Comment 37: One commenter is concerned that very few environmental staff (if

any) remain working at Pebble Beach Company due to recent dismissals to cut

expenditures. As a result, the commenter believes there is no one left on staff

able to recognize Trifolium trichocalyx or who may be familiar with this species’

habitat requirements. Additionally, the commenter believes it will be extremely

important to have clear-cut standards, specific success criteria, and monitoring

over a minimum of the next 12 years for this species, and likely longer for
B - 18

Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana.

Our Response: We believe it is important to develop an outreach program for

Pebble Beach Company’s employees, construction workers, and recreational

users to ensure the level of protection necessary to protect threatened and

endangered species. Additionally, an outreach program could reach other small

private landowners in the area. Their support may assist us in a long-term

outreach program. Recovery success criteria have been outlined in this recovery

plan, although a working group made up of scientists, agencies, and other

interested parties could further refine the recovery criteria if additional

information becomes available.

Comment 38: One commenter believes that if one of the reasons for listing is

“loss of potential habitat from residential and recreational development” and (as

stated in the draft recovery plan) if “the location where Trifolium trichocalyx was

last found has been excluded from the most recent development plans (i.e., Del

Monte Forest Preservation and Development Plan, 2001), then the most

significant threat has been eliminated and the current threat to this species is

solely fire suppression efforts.

Our Response: We are not certain of the precise boundaries of the Trifolium

trichocalyx seed bank. Although the Pebble Beach Company’s most recent

development plans excluded a portion of habitat that may support a seedbank for

this species, additional areas with suitable habitat remain unprotected from

residential and recreational development threats. Further research and prescribed

burning experiments are needed to clarify the extent of a seedbank for this

species.

Comment 39: One commenter believes that the Huckleberry Hill area where

Trifolium trichocalyx occurs is a low/no use area and therefore protection

measures, fences, or enclosures are inappropriate.

Our Response: We agree that the Huckleberry Hill area is a low use area. 

However, threats to Trifolium trichocalyx are still apparent (i.e., potential

development threats, lack of natural fire activity). Therefore, we have
B - 19

recommended that the area where T. trichocalyx may occur (in addition to that

area that may harbor a seed bank) be permanently protected in perpetuity, in

addition to the landowner providing active management that includes

development of a burn plan (Action 1.4.4).

Specific Comments for Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana

Comment 40: One peer reviewer believes the Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana habitat needs controlled burns at 50- to 70-year intervals to reduce

overstory competition. Additionally, it needs protection from invasive weed trees

(e.g., Eucalyptus sp., Acacia sp., Pittosporum undulatum [Victorian Box]) and

many other weeds that are slowly moving into the area.

Our Response: We agree that a burn plan should be developed to aid in recovery

of this species. Additionally, more research could be conducted to determine if

alternative practices may aid in Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana

regeneration. We have also recommended nonnative weed removal to aid in

seedling establishment (Action 2.1.5). 

Comment 41: One commenter states that chips spread along fire roads have

introduced seeds of Cupressus macrocarpa that have survived as seedlings in the

C. goveniana ssp. goveniana populations. The commenter recommends removing

these seedlings and preventing any chips spread in the habitat that are not sitespecific.

Our Response: This same problem has been occurring with Piperia yadonii (see

comment #29). Therefore, we are recommending that landowners only use

clippings from local sources if they are to be spread on the Monterey Peninsula

(Action 2.1.5).

Comment 42: One commenter believes the role of fire in the long-term viability

of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana has not been researched and care should

be taken not to over-interpret the finding of short-term “reproductive success” in

the absence of fire.

Our Response: We agree with the commenter and have provided their reasoning
B - 20

in the narrative outline for researchers and managers to consider when they are

developing management guidelines for this taxon (Action 3.2.5).

Comment 43: One commenter states that short-term seed germination and

recruitment is not the same as adequate long-term regeneration success. The

commenter also states that 10 years is not a sufficient time-frame to measure

regeneration success. Additionally, having some level of seedlings present is not

a sufficient measure of regeneration quality. Therefore, the commenter suggests

that regeneration success be measured in terms of abundant natural regeneration,

with parental contributions from many trees, and measured directly with genetic

analysis.

Our Response: We agree that likely more than 10 years are needed to measure

regeneration success of Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana, as well as the other

species addressed in this recovery plan. We have also modified the time-frame in

the recovery plan to 12 consecutive years to be consistent with general weather

patterns. However, it will likely be necessary to have many more years of data,

including a minimum of 12 consecutive years where the populations are stable or

increasing.
1

 Listing factors are as follows: (A) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or

curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or

educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory

mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

2

 Threat identified following the Federal Register final ruling (63 FR 43100) or not mentioned in

the final ruling. All other threats are addressed in the final ruling.

C - 1

APPENDIX C. Threats Identified for Astragalus tener var. titi, Piperia

yadonii, Potentilla hickmanii, Trifolium trichocalyx, and Cupressus goveniana

ssp. goveniana, and Recovery Plan Recommended Management Actions

Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk vetch)

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor1

Recovery

Criteria

Alteration of habitat from

trampling associated with

recreational activities,

such as hiking,

picnicking, ocean

viewing, wildlife

photography, equestrian

use, and golfing

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Secure and protect existing

sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.1). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.1). Establish a working group to develop and implement

recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Use research results

and monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3). Develop a public outreach program

(Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

E 1(a),

1(b),

1(d),

1(e)

Fragmentation of habitat

resulting in more

vulnerability to extinction

from random events

Secure and protect existing sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2). 

Determine other suitable sites and implement reintroduction or

establishment of more populations (Actions 4.1, 4.2.1, 4.3.1). 

Establish a seed bank (Action 5.3). Develop a public outreach

program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 1(a),

1(b),

1(c),

1(f)

Competition from alien

plants (Carpobrotus and

Plantago, Carex2

)

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.1). Obtain life history data to

properly manage the threatened species (Action 3.2.1). Use

research results and monitoring data to determine effectiveness

of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). 

E 1(a),

1(b),

1(d),

1(e)

Urban development2

 and

coastal military activities

for historical occurrences

Establish a working group to develop and implement recovery

guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Determine other suitable areas

for additional populations and implement

reintroduction/establishment (Actions 4.1, 4.2.1, 4.3.1). 

Develop a public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 1(a),

1(c)
C - 2

Astragalus tener var. titi (coastal dunes milk vetch), continued

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor

Recovery

Criteria

Modifications in

hydrology from

improvements and

maintenance activities

(e.g., mowing to

accommodate singlepurpose fire regulations)

along 17-Mile Drive2

Inform landowners and consult with planning departments for

proper management (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Use research results and

monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2).

A, D 1(a),

1(d),

1(e)

Herbivory by animal and

insect species2

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.1). Obtain life history data to

properly manage the threatened species (Action 3.2.1). Use

research results and monitoring data to determine effectiveness

of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). 

A, E 1(a),

1(b),

1(d),

1(e)
C - 3

Piperia yadonii (Yadon’s piperia)

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor

Recovery

Criteria

Habitat loss and

fragmentation due to

urbanization and

recreational (e.g., golf

course) development

Inform landowners (Action 1.1). Secure and protect existing

sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.1, 1.4.2). Minimize threats

(Action 2.1.2). Establish a working group to develop and

implement recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.2.2). Use

research results and monitoring data to determine effectiveness

of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a public

outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 2(a), 

2(b), 

2(c)

Competition from

nonnative species

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.2). Use research results and

monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Establish a working group to develop and

implement recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Develop a

public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

E 2(b), 

2(c)

Roadside maintenance

(mowing); a fire directive

requesting removal of

roadside vegetation for

prevention of wildfires2

Advise landowners and planning departments for proper

management (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Minimize threats (Action 2.1.2). 

Use research results and monitoring data to determine

effectiveness of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a

public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 2(b),

2(c)

Potential increase in deer

grazing of flowering

stems

Advise landowners (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.2). Obtain specific data to manage the listed species (Action

3.2.2).

C 2(b),

2(c)

Roadway circulation

improvement at Monterey

Peninsula Airport2

Consult with agencies (Action 1.2). Protect habitat (Action

1.4.2). Manage land to control threats (Action 2.1.2). 

Coordinate with lead agency (Action 7.1).

A, D 2(a), 

2(b)

Proposed realignment of

U.S. Route 101 near

Prunedale2

Consult with agencies (Action 1.2). Protect habitat (Action

1.4.2). Manage land to control threats (Action 2.1.2). 

Coordinate with lead agency (Action 7.1). 

A, D 2(a), 

2(b)

Collection of plants by

horticulturists/researchers

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Secure and protect existing

sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.2). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.2). Develop a public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2,

7.3).

A 2(a), 

2(b)

Possibly, loss of viable

habitat due to changes in

vegetation structure

within areas following fire

supression2

Inform landowners and planning departments for proper

management (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Manage land to control threats

(Action 2.1.2). Use research results and monitoring data to

determine effectiveness of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2).

2(b),

2(c)
C - 4

Potentilla hickmanii (Hickman’s potentilla)

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor

Recovery

Criteria

Recreational activities and

maintenance (e.g.,

mowing) of recreational

area

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Secure and protect existing

sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.3). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.3). Establish a working group to develop and implement

recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Use research results

and monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 3.2.3, 5.1.3, 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a public outreach

program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D, E 3(a),

3(b),

3(d)

Residential development

(potential alteration of

hydrology)

Secure, protect and properly manage existing sites (Actions

1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.3, 2.1.3). Minimize threat (Action 2.1.3). 

Establish a working group to develop and implement recovery

guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2).

A, D 3(a),

3(b),

3(d)

Competition from

invasive alien plants

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.3). Use research results and

monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 3.2.3, 5.1.3, 5.2.1, 5.2.2). 

E 3(c),

3(d)

Small population size

makes the species

vulnerable to extirpation

from random events

(genetic drift, poor years

of reproduction, tree fall)

Secure and protect existing sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.3). 

Determine other suitable sites to reintroduce or establish more

populations (Actions 4.2.3, 4.3.1, 4.3.2). Develop management

strategies through research to obtain species specific data to

better manage the populations (Actions 3.2, 3.2.3). Monitor the

populations for survival, seed production and recruitment

(Action 5.1.3). Establish a seed bank (Action 5.3). Develop a

public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

E 3(a),

3(b),

3(d), 

3(e)

Browsing by deer; snail

and slug damage; vole

herbivory and soil

inundation2

Advise landowners (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.3). Obtain specific data to manage the listed species (Action

3.2.3). 

A, C 3(a),

3(c),

3(d)

Changes in hydrology

resulting in extra water

drainage into meadow at

Indian Village picnic

area2

Advise landowners (Actions 1.1, 1.2). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.3). 

A, C 3(a),

3(c),

3(d)

Potential development at

Montara population2

Advise landowners and consult with agencies (Actions 1.1, 1.2,

7.1). Protect habitat (Action 1.4.3). Manage land to control

threats (Action 2.1.3).

A, D 3(a),

3(b),

3(d)

Alteration of fire

frequency and intensity2

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.3). Obtain specific data to manage

the listed species (Action 3.2.3). 

A, C 3(a), 3(c),

3(d)
C - 5

Trifolium trichocalyx (Monterey clover)

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor

Recovery

Criteria

Alteration of natural fire

cycles/fire suppression

Manage land to control threat (Action 2.1.4). Obtain specific

data to manage the listed species (Action 3.2.4). Monitor

populations for survival, seed production and recruitment

(Action 5.1.3). Determine other suitable sites where fire can

occur and implement reintroduction or establishment of more

populations (Actions 4.2.4, 4.3.3).

A, E 4(a),

4(b),

4(c)

Residential and

recreational development

and use

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Secure, protect and properly

manage existing sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.4, 2.1.4). 

Minimize threats (2.1.4). Establish a working group to develop

and implement recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Use

research results and monitoring data to determine effectiveness

of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a public

outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 4(a),

4(b)

Small population size

makes the species

vulnerable to extirpation

from random events;

ephemeral nature of the

plant’s reappearance after

fires

Secure and protect existing sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.4). 

Determine other suitable sites and implement reintroduction or

establishment of more populations (Actions 4.2.4, 4.3.3).

Develop management strategies through research to obtain

species specific data to better manage the populations (Action

3.2.4). Monitor occurrences to evaluate trends in population

dynamics (Action 5.1). Establish a seed bank (Action 5.3). 

Develop a public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

E 4(a),

4(b),

4(c),

4(d)
C - 6

Cupressus goveniana var. goveniana (Gowen cypress) 

Threat Recovery Action Listing

Factor

Recovery

Criteria

Habitat alteration due to

residential and

recreational (e.g., golf

course) development,

edge effects

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Secure and protect existing

sites (Actions 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.5). Minimize threats (Actions

2.1.5). Establish a working group to develop and implement

recovery guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Use research results

and monitoring data to determine effectiveness of management

(Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a public outreach program

(Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, D 5(a), 

5(b)

Disruption of natural fire

cycles

Minimize threats (Recent research has suggested fire is not

necessary for regeneration; Action 2.1.5). Develop management

strategies through research and implement alternative

management practices critical for continued existence of forests

(Action 3.2.5). Use research results and monitoring data to

determine effectiveness of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). 

Develop a public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, E 5(a),

5(b),

5(c)

Competition from

invasive alien plants

(Cortaderia, Genista, and

Erechtites)

Establish a working group to develop and implement recovery

guidelines (Actions 3.1.1, 3.1.2). Minimize threats (Action

2.1.5). Use research results and monitoring data to determine

effectiveness of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). 

E 5(a),

5(b)

Small population

size/stochasticity2

Establish an ex situ seed bank (Action 5.3). A, E 5(d)

Risk from introduced

insects or disease2

Minimize threats (Action 2.1.5). Establish an ex situ seed bank

(Action 5.3).

A, C, 

D, E

5(a), 

5(d)

Ongoing impacts from air

pollution and climate

change2

Use research results and monitoring data to determine

effectiveness of management (Actions 5.2.1, 5.2.2). Develop a

public outreach program (Actions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3).

A, B, E 5(a),

5(b)

Possible genetic

contamination from

planted trees2

Advise landowners (Action 1.1). Develop management

strategies through research and implement alternative

management practices critical for continued existence of forests

(Actions 3.2.5). Develop a public outreach program (Actions

7.1, 7.2, 7.3). 

A, D 5(a), 

5(b)
3

 Soil series descriptions were obtained from the following source:

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2001. Natural Resources Conservation

Service, Soil Survey Division. Official Soil Series Descriptions. 

http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/osd/ 

D - 1

APPENDIX D. Glossary of Technical Terms3

abiotic not biological; not involving or produced by organisms 

alkaline having a pH value greater than 7; opposite of acidic

annual living less than 1 year and completing the entire life cycle

from seed germination to seed production in a single growing

season

Antioch soils loamy fine sands that become moist in some or all parts

between depths of 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) about

late November, remaining moist all the time until late May or

early June and dry the rest of the year; the upper surface is

light brownish gray or brown; upper surface is medium acid

with moderately alkaline clay and clay loam beneath 

biotic the part of the environment or an organism that results from

its inter-relationship with other organisms

bract small leaf- or scale-like structure associated with an

inflorescence or cone

calyx (calyces) the outermost or lowermost whorl of flower parts, generally

green and enclosing the remainder of the flower in the bud

caudex the woody base of an otherwise herbaceous perennial species

Cieneba soils consist of shallow and somewhat excessively drained soils

that formed in material weathered from granitic rock; consist

of a loamy upper surface that is dark grayish brown to light
D - 2

brown; somewhat excessively drained with low to medium

runoff; moderately rapid permeability in the soil, but much

slower in the weathered granite

claypan soils a cemented or compacted soil layer that consist mainly of

clay and is impenetrable by roots

corolla the whorl of flower parts that are inside or above the calyx;

often large and brightly colored

cyme branched inflorescence in which the central or uppermost

flower opens before the peripheral or lowermost flowers on

any axis

dehiscent splitting open (as of a fruit or other structure) to release

reproductive bodies within

endemic native to a well defined geographic area and restricted to that

area

foliate shaped like a leaf 

genetic drift random changes in genetic composition (i.e., allele

frequency) in population over time; also called random

genetic drift. Genetic drift occurs more quickly and

dramatically in small populations and can lead to fixation or

loss of alleles.

hardpan soils a cemented or compacted and often clayey layer in soil that is

impenetrable by roots, often being referred to as the

fundamental part of bedrock (the solid rock underlying

unconsolidated surface materials)

inbreeding depression

breeding by mating closely related individuals, which can
D - 3

lead to the appearance of harmful recessive characteristics

inflorescence an entire cluster of flowers and associated structures (e.g.,

axes, bracts, pedicels); generally excluding full-sized foliage

leaves

involucre group of bracts more or less held together as a unit,

subtending a flower, fruit or inflorescence

lanceolate narrowly elongate, widest in the basal half, often tapered to

an acute tip

laciniate-toothed cut into deep, irregular usually pointed tooth-shaped lobes 

legume 1. In Fabaceae family, a dry or somewhat fleshy one- to

many-seeded fruit from a simple pistil, typically dehiscent

longitudinally along two sutures and splitting into halves that

remain joined at the base, sometimes dehiscent or breaking

crosswise into one-seeded segments. 2. A plant with such a

fruit.

Narlon loamy fine sand 

poorly drained soils that are light brownish gray and pale

brown; typically have a medium to strongly acidic loamy

sand upper surface with a very strongly acidic clay or sandy

clay layer beneath; somewhat poorly drained; found on

partially dissected terraces of nearly level to moderate slopes

obcordate the sides of a leaf adjacent to the petiole are concave

(opposite of cordate)

oblanceolate a leaf blade that is widest above the middle (opposite of

lanceolate)
D - 4

obovate-cuneate a narrow, triangular-shaped leaf with the narrower, acute

angle toward the base

outcrossing to cross fertilize with a relatively unrelated individual

palmate radiating from a common point; generally said of veins, lobes

or leaflets of a leaf

pedicel a small stalk bearing a single flower in an inflorescence

pilose covered with usually soft hair

pinnate feather-like, with two rows of structures on opposite sides of

an axis; generally said of veins, lobes, or leaflets arranged in

two dimensions along either side of an axis

perennial living more than 2 years or growing seasons; generally plants

that are essentially nonwoody aboveground

podzolic highly leached whitish-grey soils on the upper soil surface

found under forest conditions in cool temperate to humid

climates

polymorphic having a number of variations. For example, different forms

of an enzyme or a number of different alleles at a locus

population the individuals of a species that occur in a locality. 

Populations discussed in this recovery plan are not

necessarily synonymous with “populations” defined

biologically as a group of freely interbreeding individuals.

protogynous receiving pollen first; said of a flower (or plant with

unisexual flowers) in which stigma receptively precedes and

does not overlap pollen release
D - 5

pubescent covered with fine, soft, short hairs 

raceme/racemose unbranched inflorescence of pediceled flowers that open

from the bottom to the top

recruitment the process of adding new individuals to a population or

subpopulation (as of breeding individuals) by growth,

reproduction, immigration, and stocking

reestablished population

to bring a plant into an area within its range of existence

where a natural occurrence of that plant is not known, but the

surrounding environment is suitable for a population of that

plant to persist

reintroduced population

to bring plants into an area within its range where they once

existed naturally, but for various reasons, the plant currently

does not grow there

Santa Ynez soils consist of deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in

material weathered in alluvium from shale, sandstone and

granite; consist of fine sandy loams that are grayish brown;

moderately well drained with slow to rapid runoff and slow

permeability; found on terraces and footslopes, generally

with a slope of 0 to 50 percent; usually dry from late April

until December and moist in some or all parts during the rest

of the year; rock fragments are occasionally found in the

form of shale fragments in the upper and lower surfaces;

more field study is needed on this soil 

scarification human-induced rupture of a seed coat to facilitate

germination
D - 6

selfing or self-fertilization

fertilization of a female gamete by a male gamete from the

same individual

sepal individual member of the calyx, whether fused or not;

generally green

Sheridan soils consist of coarse sandy loams that are dark grayish brown to

very dark brown; soils are well-drained with medium to very

heavy runoff and have moderately rapid permeability; the

upper surface ranges from medium acidic to neutral; 1 to 5

percent organic matter is found in all parts to a depth of more

than 51 centimeters (20 inches); found on hills that are

moderately sloping to very steep; formed from weathered 

granite, schist, and related rocks 

spikes the peduncle (stalk of entire inflorescence) that holds flowers

that are arranged (usually flush) along its axis

spur hollow, often conic projection made from sepals or petals

that usually holds nectar

stamen male reproductive structure of the flower, typically composed

of a stalk-like filament and a terminal, pollen-producing

anther

stigma the part of a pistil on which pollen is normally deposited;

generally terminal and elevated above the ovary on a style;

generally sticky or hairy; sometimes lobed

style stalk-like portion that connects ovary to stigma in many

pistils

subcapitate 1) forming a head; 2) almost having an abruptly enlarged and

globose end or head
D - 7

subglobose nearly spherical

symbiotic partnership between different kinds of organisms, both of

which benefit

tepal three petal-like leaves that comprise a calyx and three petals,

which are the modified often brightly colored leaves of the

corolla of a flower 
E - 1

APPENDIX E. Marine Terrace Plant Communities and Successional

Patterns on the Monterey Peninsula

1. Explanation of marine terraces

Six marine terraces were identified as part of a U.S. Geological Survey study for

the Department of the Interior (Dupré 1990). Jones and Stokes Associates

utilized these descriptions in their research conducted on the Monterey Peninsula

in identifying habitat and population locations for the plant taxa outlined in this

recovery plan. This recovery plan does not include the marine terrace concept in

the descriptions, although Jones and Stokes Associates (1996) did use the terrace

concept when describing existing population locations and potential

reintroduction or establishment sites for future populations of these species. 

Therefore, a summary of the terrace descriptions is outlined below, and a

complete description can be found in Jones and Stokes Associates (1994).

Under this marine terrace naming system, intervening slopes between terraces are

defined by the terraces that surround them. The present intertidal coastal terrace

at sea level is “Terrace 0". Terrace 0 is composed of bare granite or other

bedrock without an overlaying soil and supports tidepool plants and animals.

1st Marine Terrace Lighthouse Coastal Terrace. This terrace is the first one up

from sea level and is the youngest of the Pleistocene marine terraces at

Monterey. Elevation range is from 3 to 12 meters (10 to 40 feet). It runs in a

nearly continuous band along the coastline from near Del Monte Lake in the

Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey to the south side of Point Lobos. 

This terrace has been continually eroded by ocean waves since the rise in sea

level following the last ice age.

Vegetation on this terrace includes northern coastal scrub and coastal terrace

prairie. Coastal scrub habitat includes, but is not limited to, Baccharis

pilularis (coyote brush), Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (blue blossom), Rubus

ursinus (California blackberry), Toxicodendron diversiloba (poison-oak), and

Mimulus aurantiacus (bush monkeyflower). Coastal terrace prairie habitat

supports perennial bunchgrasses, nonnative annual grasses, and native and
E - 2

nonnative herbs (e.g., Cammissonia ovata [suncups], Calochortus uniflorus

[star-tulip], and prostrate Baccharis pilularis and Mimulus aurantiacus on

tops of mounds. Although some areas form distinct habitat types, other areas

have an integration of these two habitat types due to successional patterns.

2nd Marine Terrace Ocean View Coastal Terrace. This terrace generally ranges

in elevation from 12 to 37 meters (40 to 120 feet). A less continuous band of

this terrace forms around the peninsula, much of which is covered by the

oldest sand dunes. A large segment of this terrace remains undeveloped at

Point Lobos.

This terrace supports Monterey pine forest habitat except at the ocean edge

where Sheridian soils on ocean bluffs support forests of Cupressus

macrocarpa (Monterey cypress). This Monterey pine forest habitat supports

both pure stands of Pinus radiata in addition to mixed Pinus sp. and Quercus

agrifolia (coast live oak) forest. Understory species in the Monterey pine

forest habitat may include Toxicodendron diversiloba, Mimulus aurantiacus,

Rubus ursinus, Rhamnus californica (California coffeeberry), Ceanothus

thyrsiflorus, Baccharis pilularis, Iris douglasiana (Douglas’ iris), Ribes

speciosum (fuchsia-flowered gooseberry), and Polypodium californicum

(California polypody). Understory species in the Monterey cypress forest

habitat may include Mimulus aurantiacus, Stachys bullata (hedge-nettle),

Rubus ursinus, Iris douglasiana, Symphoricarpos mollis (snowberry),

Toxicodendron diversiloba, and Polystichum munitum (swordfern). In

openings where recent burns or blowdowns have occurred, Pinus radiata and

shrub species regeneration is dense.

3rd Marine Terrace Peninsula College Coastal Terrace. This terrace ranges in

elevation from 43 to 67 meters (140 to 220 feet). It extends in a continuous

band from near the intersection of State Route 1 and State Route 68 to Pebble

Beach on the south side of the Monterey Peninsula. Most of this terrace has

been developed and landscaped.

This terrace supports forests of Pinus radiata and Quercus agrifolia. On this

terrace, Monterey pine forest is relatively open, with some stands considered
E - 3

“woodland” with a grass understory rather than a closed forest. In woodlands,

understory species are mostly bunchgrasses, which appear similar to coastal

prairie habitat. However, some areas support a dominate amount of European

annual grasses (e.g., Bromus diandrus [ripgut brome]). Common understory

species may include Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), Achillea millefolium

(yarrow), Iris douglasiana, Juncus patens (spreading common rush), Leymus

glaucus (blue wildrye), Leymus condensatus (giant wildrye), Galium

californicum (California bedstraw), Zigadenus fremontii (star lily), Sanicula

laciniata (coast sanicle), Fragaria vesca ssp. californica (California

strawberry), and Oxalis pes-capre (Bermuda buttercup). Upper edges of this

terrace near the Terrace 4 boundary at one location support an understory of

Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. tomentosa (shaggy-barked manzanita) and

Vaccinium ovatum (huckleberry).

4th Marine Terrace Silvan Coastal Terrace. This terrace generally ranges from

73 to 91 meters (240 to 300 feet). It extends as a continuous band from south

of Monterey Peninsula Airport to north of Pebble Beach between Spyglass

Hill and Poppy Hills Golf Courses. It is divided into many segments by

canyons and riparian corridors.

Few remnants of this terrace with natural vegetation remain on the Monterey

Peninsula. Of those areas that remain, Monterey pine forest habitat can have

either an open or closed canopy, with occasional to moderate presence of

Quercus agrifolia, and a mixture of Pinus muricata with Pinus radiata in

open canopy stands. Pinus radiata stands appear to be stunted in height to

approximately 50 to 70 feet tall. Understory species may include grassland

species with scattered Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. tomentosa and

Vaccinium ovatum, or a uniform shrub cover that also includes Rhamnus

californica, Mimulus aurantiacus, and Ceanothus thyrsiflorus. One site along

State Route 68 appears to be near the inland limit for lowland Monterey pine

forest habitat, although trees do occur inland on shale bedrock formations at a

higher elevation.

5th Marine Terrace Monte Vista Coastal Terrace. The terrace generally ranges

in elevation from 97 to 165 meters (320 to 540 feet). It forms a partially
E - 4

continuous band around Huckleberry Hill with an extension south to the east

side of Carmel. Another segment also occurs on the inland hill slopes of

Lobos Ranch east of Point Lobos. Terrace 5 is cut by stream canyons but is

not covered by old sand dunes.

Habitat types on this terrace are divided into three phases: Monterey pine

forest, Monterey-Bishop pine forest, and pygmy forest. The Monterey pine

forest habitat supports an open canopy of Pinus radiata with Quercus

agrifolia. The pines are stunted, becoming flat-topped between 50 and 60 feet

tall. The understory is a mix of open grass and duff with patches of dense

shrubs, including species such as Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. hookeri

(Hooker’s manzanita), Arctostaphylos pumila (sandmat manzanita), Rhamnus

californica, Mimulus aurantiacus, Toxicodendron diversiloba, and Baccharis

pilularis. The Monterey-Bishop pine forest supports an open stand mixed

with Pinus radiata and Pinus muricata. The Pinus radiata are stunted in

height, although they form a canopy above a subcanopy of Pinus muricata

and smaller Pinus radiata. The understory is an even mix of shrubs, including

Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. tomentosa, Arctostaphylos tomentosa var.

hookeri, Baccharis pilularis, and Mimulus aurantiacus. The pygmy forest

habitat is dominated by Pinus muricata and Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana (Gowen cypress) that grow between 10 and 25 feet tall, with

occasional scattered Pinus radiata that grow between 20 and 30 feet tall. The

understory is dominated by Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. tomentosa, and

occasional Rhamnus californica. Open canopy pygmy forest habitat supports

a more diverse shrub understory, occurring at sites of recent fires on very

shallow soils.

6th Marine Terrace Huckleberry Coastal Terrace. This terrace generally

ranges in elevation from 183 to 244 meters (600 to 800 feet). It forms the

summit cap in several segments on Huckleberry Hill. Most of this terrace has

been developed, but remnant natural areas remain.

Mature stands of vegetation on this terrace include Monterey pine forest in an

open overstory. Pinus radiata are stunted at approximately 40 feet, and

scattered Pinus muricata are present. The understory supports a dominate
E - 5

Vaccinium ovatum with Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. tomentosa. 

Arctostaphylos tomentosa var. hookeri is more dominant in areas that have a

more open canopy. Total shrub cover ranges between 50 and 80 percent with

a mixed grassy understory, including bunchgrasses. Additionally, scattered

individuals of Arbutus menziesii (madrone) and Salix scouleriana (Scouler’s

willow) can also be found here.

2. Plant Succession

Plant communities on the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding area have

developed simple and complex interrelationships based on climate, moisture, and

soil type. Community structures can sometimes be layered or stratified. Natural

succession of a plant communities have developed through time, with the larger

vegetation (e.g., Pinus radiata, Pinus muricata, Cupressus goveniana ssp.

goveniana) superseding the previous pioneer plants. Pioneer weeds and grasses

(e.g., Vulpia sp., Elymus glaucus, Danthonia californica, etc.) begin the

succession, then are eventually shaded out by larger shrubs (e.g., Baccharis

pilularis, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Mimulus aurantiacus, etc.). These shrubs

are displaced or dominated by the larger trees. This system of layering provides

environmental levels for wildlife and plants alike

The main plant layers include the understory, intermediate, and overstory layers. 

The understory includes the smallest vegetation (i.e., mosses, ferns, grasses, small

wildflowers, and low ground covering varieties of herbaceous or woody plants). 

The intermediate layer includes small to large shrubs as well as small species of

trees or young saplings of larger overstory tree species. These plants are usually

adapted to softer light and cooler temperatures that are created by shade from the

overstory canopy. Woody perennial plants dominate the intermediate story. The

overstory includes the largest species of trees. This layer typically creates a

canopy that influences the overall light availability and average temperatures at

the lower levels. Overstory trees can be sparsely distributed or grow close

together. Destruction of canopy trees in many cases adversely affects the

understory environment.
1 - Present (P) means that the species has been positively identified within at least one Monterey pine population. 

Invasive (I) means that the species is not only present but has been identified as spreading some distance from its

original site of introduction. F - 1

APPENDIX F. Exotic plant species occurring in native Monterey pine

forests or in the vicinity of Monterey, California (D. Rogers in litt. 2002).

Scientific Name Common Name Present (P) or

Invasive (I)1

Acacia baileyana Bailey acacia P

A. melonoxylon blackwood acacia I

A. longifolia Sydney golden wattle P

Arctotheca calendula capeweed I

Avena fatua wild oat I

Briza maxima rattlesnake grass I

B. minor small quaking grass P

Bromus diandrus ripgut brome I

Carduus pynocephalus Italian thistle I

Carpobrotus edulis iceplant I

Cirsium vulgare bull thistle P

Conicosia pugioniformis false iceplant P

Conium maculatum poison hemlock I

Cortaderia selloana pampas grass I

C. jubata jubata I

Cynodon dactylon bermuda grass I

Delairia odorata

(=Senecio mikanoides)

cape ivy, German ivy I

Erechtites glomerata Australian fireweed I

E. mimima Australian fireweed P

Ehrharta erecta veldt grass I

Festuca arundinacea tall fescue P
F - 2

Appendix F., continued

Scientific Name Common Name Present (P) or

Invasive (I)1

Genista monspessulana French broom I

Hedera helix English ivy I

Holcus lanatus velvet grass P

Lolium perenne perennial ryegrass I

Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda buttercup P

Pennisetum

clandestinum

kikuyu grass I

Tetragponia

tetragonioides

New Zealand spinach P

Ulex europaeus gorse I

Vinca major periwinkle I
1

 KEY

Federally Listed Species Codes

E - Endangered; T - Threatened; CH - Critical habitat ; PE - Taxa proposed for listing as

endangered PT - Taxa proposed for listing as threatened; PCH - Critical habitat has been

proposed; C - Candidate species for which we have on file sufficient information on the biological

vulnerability and threats to support proposals to list as endangered or threatened.

State Listed Species Codes

E - Endangered; T - Threatened; P - Protected Species; FP - Fully Protected Species; SCE - State

candidate for listing as Endangered; SCT - State candidate for listing as Threatened; 

CSC - California Special Concern Species

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Codes

1A - Plants presumed Extinct; 1B - Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and

elsewhere; 2 - Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, but more common elsewhere

3 - Plants about which we need more information (A Review List); 4 - Plants of limited

distribution (A Watch List)

County Abbreviations

ALA - Alameda, BA - Baja, Mexico, CCA - Contra Costa, HUM - Humboldt, KRN - Kern, LAX

- Los Angeles, MAD - Madera, MER - Merced, MEN - Mendocino, MNT - Monterey, MPA -

Mariposa, MRN - Marin, NAP - Napa, SBA - Santa Barbara, SBD - San Bernardino, SBT - San

Benito, SCL - Santa Clara, SCR - Santa Cruz, SCZ - Santa Cruz Is., SDG - San Diego, SFO - San

Francisco, SLO - San Luis Obispo, SMT - San Mateo, SON - Sonoma, SRA-Santa Rosa Is.

G - 1

APPENDIX G. Special status species known to occur on the Monterey

Peninsula or within the vicinity of Monterey, California.1

Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

PLANTS

Allium

hickmanii

Hickman’s

onion

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

chaparral, coastal

prairie, coastal

scrub, valley and

foothill grassland

MNT, SLO:

Monterey Peninsula,

Fort Ord, Monterey

Airport, coastal San

Luis Obispo County

urbanization,

grazing, road

construction 

Arctostaphylos

edmundsii

Little Sur

manzanita

–/–/1B Coastal bluff

scrub, chaparral

MNT: northwest

coastal MNT Co.

foot traffic,

nonnative plants
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 2

PLANTS,

continued

Arctostaphylos

hookeri ssp.

hookeri

Hooker’s

manzanita

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

chaparral, coastal

scrub

MNT, SCR: many at 

Fort Ord, Prunedale

Hills, Larkin Valley;

scattered on Mnt.

Pen.

agriculture,

development, fire

suppression,

competition w/

introduced

Eucalyptus

Arctostaphylos

hookeri ssp.

hookeri

Hooker’s

manzanita

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

chaparral, coastal

scrub

MNT, SCR: many at 

Fort Ord, Prunedale

Hills, Larkin Valley;

scattered on Mnt.

Pen.

agriculture,

development, fire

suppression,

competition w/

introduced

Eucalyptus

Arctostaphylos

montereyensis

Monterey

manzanita

–/–/1B Chaparral,

cismontane

woodland, coastal

scrub

MNT: Fort Ord,

Toro Mountain,

Northwest MNT

Calandrinia

breweri

Brewer’s

calandrinia

–/–/4 Chaparral, coastal

scrub, disturbed

sites, burns

CCA, LAX, MEN,

MNT, MPA, MRN,

NAP, SBA, SBD,

SCL, SCR, SCZ,

SRA, SDG, SLO,

SMT, SON, VEN,

BA

Castilleja

latifolia

Monterey

indian

paintbrush

–/–/4 Coastal dunes,

coastal sage scrub

MNT, SCZ urbanization

Ceanothus

cuneatus var.

rigidus

Monterey

ceanothus

–/–/4

Closed-cone

conifer forest on

sandy hills and

flats, maritime

chaparral, coastal

scrub

MNT, SLO, SCR:

extensive in North

coastal Monterey

County

coastal development
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 3

PLANTS,

continued

Chorizanthe

pungens var.

pungens

Monterey

spineflower

E, PCH/–/1B Coastal dunes,

coastal scrub

MNT, SCR:

Monterey Pen., Fort

Ord, Pebble Beach,

Manresa, Sunset,

Salinas Riv., near

Soquel, Asilomar

Beaches, Prunedale 

coastal development,

agriculture, hikers,

equestrian activities

Cordylanthus

rigidus var.

littoralis

seaside bird’sbeak

–/E/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

chaparral,

cismontane

woodland, coastal

dunes, coastal

scrub

MNT, SBA: coastal

in both counties, Fort

Ord, Monterey

Airport, Elkhorn

Slough, Burton Mesa

coastal development

Corethrogyne

leucophylla

branching

beach aster

–/–/4 Closed-cone

conifer forest,

coastal dunes

MNT, SCR, SLO coastal development

Cupressus

macrocarpa

Monterey

cypress

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest

MNT: coast on

Monterey Peninsula

and Point Lobos

coastal development

Elymus

californicus

California

bottle-brush

grass

–/–/4 North coast

conifer forest

MNT, MRN, SCR,

SMT, SON

coastal development

Ericameria

fasciculata

Eastwood’s

goldenbush

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

maritime

chaparral, coastal

dunes, coastal

scrub

MNT: Fort Ord,

Monterey Airport,

Monterey Peninsula,

Toro Regional Park,

Prunedale Hills

coastal development
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 4

PLANTS,

continued

Erysimum

ammophilum

coast

wallflower

–/–/1B Coastal dunes MNT, SCR, SMT,

SRO

coastal development,

nonnative plants

Erysimum

menziesii

Menzies'

wallflower

E/E/1B Coastal dunes MEN, MNT: Pt.

Piños south to

Cypress Pt., Marina

Dunes, (extant

occurrences at

Pacific Grove,

Spyglass Hill, Bird

Rock Road), Ft.

Bragg north to Ten

Mile River

nonnative plants,

habitat degradation,

industrial and

residential

development

Gilia tenuiflora

ssp.

arenaria

sand gilia

T/E/1B Coastal dunes,

coastal scrub

MNT: Spanish Bay,

Asilomar State

Beach, Fort Ord,

Moss Landing to

Monterey

nonnative plants,

trampling by

equestrian activities,

residential

development

Grindelia

hirsutula

var.maritima

San Francisco

gumplant

–/–/1B Coastal bluff

scrub, coastal

scrub, valley

foothill grasslands

MNT, MRN, SCR,

SFO, SLO, SMT

coastal development,

nonnative plants

Layia carnosa

beach layia

E/E/1B Coastal dunes HUM, MNT, MRN,

SBA, SFO: largest

occurrences in HUM

Co., Asilomar State

Beach and Spyglass

Hill in MNT Co.

coastal development,

vehicles, recreation

nonnative plants,
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 5

PLANTS,

continued

Linanthus

grandiflorus

large-flowered

linanthus

–/–/4 Coastal bluff

scrub, closedcone conifer

forest, cismontane

woodland, coastal

dunes, coastal

prairie, coastal

scrub, valley

foothill grasslands

ALA, KRN, MAD,

MER, MNT, MRN,

SBA, SCL, SCR,

SFO, SLO, SMT,

SON

development

Lomatium

parvifolium

small-leaved

lomatium

–/–/4 Closed-cone

conifer forest,

chaparral

MNT, SCR, SLO development

Lupinus

tidestromii

Tidestrom’s

lupine

E/E/1B Coastal dunes MNT, MRN, SO:

Monterey Peninsula,

northwest Marin Co.

to the Russian River,

Abbotts Lagoon to

Point Reyes

residential and

recreational

development,

trampling, nonnative

plants, cattle grazing

Monardella

undulata

curly-leaved

monardella

–/–/4 Chaparral, coastal

dunes, coastal

scrub, Lower

montane conifer

forest (ponderosa

pine sandhills)

MNT, MRN, SBA,

SCR, SFO, SLO,

SMT, SON

coastal development,

sand mining,

nonnative plants

Pedicularis

dudleyi

Dudley’s

lousewort

–/R/1B Maritime

chaparral, North

coast conifer

forest, valley

foothill grasslands

MNT, SCR, SLO,

SMT

trampling, potentially

by development
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 6

PLANTS,

continued

Pinus radiata

Monterey pine

–/–/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest on

poor soils in fog

zone

MNT, SCR, SLO,

SMT, BA: coastal

areas near MNT,

Año Nuevo and

Cambria; 2 islands

near Baja

genetic

contamination,

development,

fragmentation, feral

goats on Baja Islands

Piperia

michaelii

Michael’s rein

orchid

–/–/4 Coastal bluff

scrub, closedcone conifer

forest, cismontane

woodland, lower

montane conifer

forest

ALA, CCA, HUM,

MNT, MRN, SBT,

SCR, SCZ, SFO,

SLO, SMT

Trifolium

polypodon

Pacific Grove

clover

–/R/1B Closed-cone

conifer forest,

coastal prairie,

meadows

MNT: Monterey

Peninsula and Point

Lobos

urbanization,

trampling

INVERTEBRA

TES

Euphilotes

enoptes smithi

Smith’s blue

butterfly

E/– Coastal dunes

with the larval

host plant

Eriogonum

parvifolium

MNT: Marina

Dunes, Seaside, 

coastal development
Species Listing Status1

Fed/State/CNPS

Habitat Distribution Threats

G - 7

AMPHIBIANS

Ambystoma

macrodactylum

croceum

Santa Cruz

long-toed

salamander

E/E mammal burrows

and root systems

of upland

chaparral and

woodland areas of

Coast live oak or

Monterey Pine

SCZ, MNT: Buena

Vista, Calabasas,

Ellicott, Green's,

Rancho Road,

Seascape Ponds,

Valencia Lagoon in

SCZ Co.; Bennett,

McClusky, and Moro

Cojo Sloughs, and

McClusky pool in

MNT Co.

predation,

contaminants, loss of

habitat, urbanization, 

vehicles, salt-water

intrusion, urban and

agricultural runoff

Rana aurora

draytonii

California redlegged frog

T/- aquatic breeding

areas (streams,

ponds, creeks,

marshes, lagoons)

within a matrix of

riparian and

upland dispersal

habitats

coastal drainages

from Marin County,

California, south to

northern Baja

California, Mexico;

documented in 2002

to occur throughout

Monterey Peninsula

elimination or

degradation of

habitat from land

dvlpmnt and land use

activities; habitat

invasion by

nonnative species

BIRDS

Falco

peregrinus

anatum

American

peregrine

falcon

–/E nest almost

exclusively on

cliff ledges that

are associated

with suitable

foraging areas,

also on structures

in heavily

urbanized areas

historically nested

from the

North American

boreal forest south

into Mexico

pesticides, organochlorines, shooting,

transmission lines,

electrocutions,

contaminated prey

species