1

RECOVERY OUTLINE 

for the 

Jones Cycladenia 

(Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii) 

December 2008 

 National Park Service: John Spence 

I. INTRODUCTION

This document lays out a basic background on Jones cycladenia (Cycladenia humilis var. 

jonesii) and preliminary course of actions for recovery. It serves to guide recovery 

efforts and inform consultation and permitting activities until a comprehensive recovery 

plan for the species has been finalized and approved. 

• Listing and Contact Information 

Scientific Name: Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii 

Common Name: Jones cycladenia 

Listing Classification: Threatened rangewide 

Effective Listing Date: June 4, 1986 (51 FR 16526, May 5, 1986)1

Lead Agency, Region: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6 

Lead Field Office: Utah Ecological Services 

Contact Biologist: Heather Barnes, 801-975-3330, Heather_Barnes@fws.gov 

Cooperating Offices: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2 

Cooperating Biologist: Mima Falk, 520-670-6150, Mima_Falk@fws.gov 

II. RECOVERY STATUS ASSESSMENT

A. BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 

Taxonomy: The genus Cycladenia consists of one species Cycladenia humilis treated as 

having two varieties in California (var. humilis, var. venusta) (Hickman 1993) and a third 

variety, Jones cycladenia (Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii) found in Utah and Arizona. 

The closest taxonomic relative to Jones cycladenia is thought to be Mandevilla, a 

neotropical genus (Wolf et al. 1992). 

Genetic research is underway in Utah and California to assist with future taxonomic 

treatment of the family Apocynaceae (L. Johnson, Brigham Young University, pers. 

 

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 No recovery outline or recovery plan was prepared at the time of listing. 
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comm., 2007; L. Johnson, pers. comm., 2008). Results of genetic work are anticipated in 

2009 (L. Johnson, pers. comm., 2008). 

Description, Habitat, and Life History: Jones cycladenia is a long-lived herbaceous 

perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae) which grows 4 to 6 inches (10 to 

15 centimeters) tall. It occurs between 4,390 to 6,000 feet (1,338 to 1,829 meters) 

elevation in plant communities of mixed desertscrub, juniper, or wild 

buckwheat-Mormon tea. It is found on gypsiferous, saline soils of Cutler, Summerville, 

and Chinle Formations. It has orbicular, wide-oval or elliptical leaves and produces pink 

or rose-colored, trumpet shaped showers that resemble small morning glories from 

mid-April to early June. 

Jones cycladenia is rhizomatous (having a long underground stem system that cannot be 

viewed above ground and which additionally may disintegrate over time) (Sipes et al. 

1994). It overwinters as subterranean rhizomes (roots). Several to a hundred 

above-ground stems (or ramets) could be a single genetic individual (or genet) (Wolf 

et al. 1992). 

We have little to no information about age of individual plants, years to reproductive 

adulthood, survivorship, mortality, or fecundity rates (Spence and Palmquist in draft; 

Wolf et al. 1992). Fruit and seed production is believed extremely limited (Sipes and 

Tepedino 1996). Its possible pollinators may have been lost or may be migratory and 

appear episodically (Sipes and Tepedino 1996). No seedling germination events have 

been documented (Sipes et al. 1994; Sipes and Tepedino 1996; D. Clark, Interagency 

Plant Team Leader, pers. comm., 2007; T. Clark, Capitol Reef National Park, Biological 

Science Director, pers. comm., 2007; K. Ivory, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 

Price Field Office, Endangered Plant Species, pers. comm., 2007; J. Spence, Glen 

Canyon National Recreational Area Botanist, pers. comm., 2007). 

Distribution, Abundance, and Trends: At the time of listing, Jones cycladenia 

(Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii) was found in Emery, Grand, and Garfield Counties in 

Utah and known historically from a fourth indeterminate site named Pipe Spring, in the 

vicinity of Mohave County, Arizona, and Kane County, Utah (51 FR 16526, May 5, 

1986). This historic site has since been relocated near Pipe Springs National Monument, 

Arizona (Sipes et al. 1994, Table 1 appendix). 

Today, Jones cycladenia is known from 26 sites. A “site” is a uniquely named 

occurrence, distinct from other named occurrences by distance or landscape structure, 

such as elevation, slope position, or characteristics of intervening habitat. These 26 sites 

are located in 5 areas, which we are referring to here as “complexes.” The five Jones 

cycladenia complexes include: Joe Hutch Creek, San Rafael, Moab, and Greater Circle 

Cliffs in Utah, and Pipe Springs in Arizona. Table 1 lists each of the complexes, their 

location, land managers, and the number of documented sites per location. 

At the time of listing, known Jones cycladenia populations were estimated to contain 

7,500 individuals. This estimate is now presumed high. Accurate population estimates 
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for Jones cycladenia are complicated by the species’ clonal life history. We now estimate 

the species has 25,000 ramets (or above-ground stems), but that these stems represent 

approximately 1,100 ganets (or individuals). This estimate is based on a 1995 

range-wide estimate of ramets (Sipes and Tepedino 1996) and genetic results which 

indicate there are 22.1 ramets per genet (Sipes et al. 1994). The recovery plan and future 

Section 7 consultations should address the fact that observed numbers of ramets represent 

a substantially smaller set of unique individuals. 

Only three sites within two of the five known complexes are being routinely monitored. 

The Purple Hills location (within the Greater Circle Cliffs complex) has been monitored 

every 1 to 4 years since 1992. Demographic data collected included colony health, 

flowering rates, and fruit and seed output (Spence and Palmquist In draft). Surveys in 

2007 and 2008 have shown a 250 percent increase in the number of ramets over the 

long-term (1992 to 2006) mean (J. Spence, pers. comm., 2008). Both sites within the 

Pipe Springs Complex have been monitored since 1993 and includes data collection on 

the number of visible above-ground stems (ramets); and numbers of plants with and 

without reproductive attributes (flowers or fruit) (Hughs 2006). Other sites have been 

regularly visited, although they lack a formal monitoring program. For example, the San 

Rafael sites are regularly visited (every 1 to 2 years). Similarly, low elevation portions of 

the Moab complex also have been seen fairly regularly (every 2 to 4 years), while harder 

to reach areas (such as those that are farther up canyons and on steep slopes) are visited 

less regularly. Population monitoring of a few, more highly visited areas may 

disproportionately influence perceived recovery progress. 

Much of the habitat considered to be suitable for Jones cycladenia has not been surveyed 

and many sites have not been revisited in the past 10 years (Spence and Palmquist in 

draft; Welp and Fertig, pers. comm. 2002). The recovery plan should address the limited 

understanding of the occupied range and unsurveyed potential habitat needs. Further 

searches for Jones cycladenia could result in new finds that would have important 

implications on the species’ status (Spence and Palmquist 2007). Potential habitat, as 

identified by known soil types, within the species’ range should be addressed during 

Section 7 consultation and land sales and leasing. 
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TABLE 1. Known complexes, locations, County, State, land ownership, and number of sites per location f

COMPLEX 

LOCATION COUNTY, STATE LAND MANAGEMENT 

Joe Hutch 

Un-named Grand County, UT Tribal 

San Rafael 

Spotted Wolf Canyon Emery County, UT BLM (Price Field Office) 

Greasewood Draw Emery County, UT BLM (Price Field Office), Utah State Lands (School & Institutional Trust Lands Administration) 

Moab 

Onion Creek Grand County, UT BLM (Moab Field Office) 

Castle Valley Grand County, UT BLM (Moab Field Office) 

Greater Circle Cliffs 

Wolverine Basin Garfield County, UT NPS (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) 

Silver Falls Canyon Garfield County, UT NPS (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) 

East Choprock Bench Garfield County, UT NPS (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) 

Deer Point Garfield County, UT NPS (Capital Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) 

Purple Hills Garfield County, UT NPS (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) 

Moody Canyons Garfield County, UT NPS (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) 

Escalante River Garfield County, UT NPS (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) 

Pipe Spring 

Woodbury Canyon Mohave County, AZ BLM (Arizona Strip Field Office) 

Potter Canyon Mohave County, AZ BLM (Arizona Strip Field Office) 

TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED SITE

Source: D. Clark, pers. comm., 2007; T. Clark, pers. comm., 2007; K. Ivory, pers. comm., 2007; J. Spence, pe
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B. THREATS ASSESSMENT 

At the time of listing, Jones cycladenia was known from three sites with low numbers 

(51 FR 16526, May 5, 1986). It was thought to be a Tertiary relict, poorly adapted to the 

present-day arid climatic regime (51 FR 16526, May 5, 1986). Jones cycladenia’s 

ecosystem was thought fragile, easily degraded and slow to recovery (51 FR 16526, 

May 5, 1986). Ongoing and potential anthropogenic impacts to habitat included: 

off-highway vehicle (OHV) use; oil, gas, and mineral exploration, including uranium 

mining and tar sands; and livestock grazing (although the rule notes the probability of 

grazing causing serious damage was low) (51 FR 16526, May 5, 1986). Habitat 

disturbance was thought to be reducing seedling establishment. Jones cycladenia also 

suffered from inadequate State and Federal regulatory mechanisms. 

The variety’s threatened status has prompted Federal land managers to implement 

protective measures to limit impacts from OHV and mountain bike use, cattle grazing, 

and extractive activities. While these threats have been managed to reduce anthropogenic 

impacts, these issues remain an ongoing and long-term concern. Specifically: mountain 

biking and OHV use occurs near sites in Moab and San Rafael complexes; cattle grazing 

occurs at sites in the San Rafael complex; and uranium mining and tar sands extraction 

are foreseeable threats in the both the San Rafael and Greater Circle Cliffs complex (both 

complexes are within Designated Special Tar Sands Areas; see http://ostseis.anl.gov/index.cfm). 

Recently BLM provided a record of decision on the Oil Shale/Tar Sands Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement. No areas within the Circle Cliffs Designated Special 

Tar Sand Area were made available for leasing; however, areas within the San Rafael 

Special Tar Sands Area are available for application for leasing. 

Since listing, a number of other biological limiting factors have come to light. 

Preliminary research (1988 to 1993) has shown that the plant has, at best, low fruit 

production and seed set, likely due to a complicated pollination system and inadequate 

pollinator abundance (i.e., pollinators may have been lost or may be migratory and appear 

episodically) (Sipes and Tepedino 1996). No seedling germination events have been 

documented (Sipes et al. 1994; Sipes and Tepedino 1996; D. Clark, pers. comm., 2007; 

T. Clark, pers. comm., 2007; K. Ivory, pers. comm., 2007; J. Spence, pers. comm., 2007). 

Genetic research at San Rafael (the Spotted Wolf Canyon site), Moab (two separate sites 

at Onion Creek and Castle Valley) and Greater Circle Cliffs complexes (one site at Deer 

Point, one site at Silver Falls Canyon, and one site at Purple Hills) indicates that these 

sites of Jones cycladenia are genetically distinct and not inbred, but may face other 

genetic limitations, such as genetic bottlenecking or genetic drift (Sipes et al. 1994). 

Several researchers have concluded that an ongoing lack of population recruitment may 

result in a permanent loss of genetically-important individuals or occupied sites (Sipes 

et al. 1994; Sipes and Tepedino 1996; Spence and Palmquist in draft). The species’ 

fractured distribution could further complicate issues associated with limited natural 

reproduction, dispersal constraints, and genetic risks (Spence and Palmquist in draft; 

Sipes et al. 1994) 
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As a Tertiary relict, Jones cycladenia may be impacted by global climate change. 

Various emissions scenarios suggest that by the end of the 21st century, average global 

temperatures may increase 0.6 to 4.0°C (1.1 to 7.2°F) with the greatest warming expected 

over land (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007). It is very likely 

that hot extremes, heat waves, and heavy precipitation will increase in frequency (IPCC 

2007). Since 1991, overall mean temperatures have increased 1.5°C (2.7°F) in the 

Greater Circle Cliffs area (Spence and Palmquist 2007). Increased temperatures could 

result in the need for the species to colonize cooler, higher elevation sites. 

Other factors reported since the time of listing include: natural predation (Spence and 

Palmquist in draft; Sipes et al. 1994); and relations to fragile cryptobiotic crusts in some 

locations (Sipes et al. 1994). 

Each of the above issues should be considered during Section 7 consultation and will be 

evaluated and addressed in the upcoming recovery plan. 

III. PRELIMINARY RECOVERY STRATEGY

 A. RECOVERY PRIORITY NUMBER WITH RATIONALE

Jones cycladenia is assigned a recovery 

priority of 12C. This ranking indicates 

that: (1) Jones cycladenia’s status as one 

of four varieties within Cycladenia 

humilis; (2) it faces a moderate degree of 

threat; (3) it has (at present) a low potential 

for recovery; and (4) it is in conflict with 

development activities or other forms of 

economic activities. The moderate degree 

of threat is linked to biological constraints 

that the species faces, such as genetic 

diversity, number of unique individuals, 

and ability to colonize unoccupied areas, 

as well as man-influenced threats, such as 

recreational vehicles, cattle-grazing, tar 

sands oil extraction, and global warming. 

A number of these threats are related to 

development activities or other forms of economic activities. This species low recovery 

potential is primarily based on our limited knowledge of distribution and a poor 

understanding of the species biology including factors driving maintenance and 

expansion. Topics where data is missing are global warming and pollinator relationships 

for sexual reproduction. Advancement in these two areas of research and/or an increase 

in known occupied sites could favorably influence the recovery priority number. 

Therefore, this recovery priority number will be reviewed during the recovery planning 

process and annually by the Service as new data are made available. 

Degree of 

Threat 

Recovery 

Potential Taxonomy Priority Conflict

Monotypic Genus 1 1C 

High Species 2 2C 

Subspecies/DPS 3 3C 

Monotypic Genus 4 4C 

Species 5 5C 

High 

Low 

Subspecies/DPS 6 6C 

Monotypic Genus 7 7C 

High Species 8 8C 

Subspecies/DPS 9 9C 

Monotypic Genus 10 10C 

Species 11 11C 

Moderate

Low 

Subspecies/DPS 12 12C* 

Monotypic Genus 13 13C 

High Species 14 14C 

Subspecies/DPS 15 15C 

Monotypic Genus 16 16C 

Species 17 17C 

Low 

Low 

Subspecies/DPS 18 18C 
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B. RECOVERY VISION 

Recovery of the Jones cycladenia is currently envisioned as follows: viable Jones 

cycladenia populations that persist on conserved habitat across the species’ historical 

range. We anticipate that additional survey work will document the existence of new 

populations. All populations on Federal lands should be managed for the variety’s 

protection. Threats to the species, primarily natural constraints, climate change, and 

human-caused habitat loss, will be sufficiently understood and if needed, sufficiently 

abated to ensure a high probability of survival at least 100 years into the future. 

C. INITIAL ACTION PLAN 

The recovery effort should build on ongoing conservation efforts. Specific actions that 

will be undertaken early in the process include the following: 

Surveys and Monitoring 

• Evaluate all known habitat components through a geographic information system 

database and conduct surveys for additional populations in areas containing habitat 

characteristics, particularly in Utah. 

• Continue ongoing monitoring efforts. 

• Expand monitoring programs to include a larger and more representative sample of 

occupied sites (rather than the easiest sites to visit). 

Threats Abatement 

• Identify sites in urgent need of habitat conservation, set protection priorities, and 

implement protective measures. As research improves our understanding of the 

species’ needs, adjust management accordingly. 

• Where not possible to prevent oil and gas and mineral leasing at occupied sites, limit 

impacts of these activities through early planning and coordination. 

Research 

• Continue and expand research into Jones cycladenia’s life history and ecology. We 

believe it is essential to determine the role of sexual reproduction in Jones cycladenia 

populations including whether the species’ pollinator has been lost. If the pollinator 

still exists, research should identify the pollinator’s biological requirements so future 

conservation efforts address pollinator needs. 

• Investigate Jones cycladenia’s response to climate change. 

• Coordinate with genetic and taxonomic experts in Arizona, California, and Utah to 

resolve outstanding taxonomic issues. 
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IV. PREPLANNING DECISIONS

A. PLANNING APPROACH 

A recovery plan will be prepared for Cycladenia jonesii var humilis pursuant to 

Section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act. The recovery plan should include objective, 

measurable criteria which, when met, will result in a determination that the species be 

removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Recovery criteria 

should address all threats meaningfully impacting the species. The recovery plan also 

should estimate the time required and the cost to carry out those measures needed to 

achieve the goal for recovery and delisting. The scope of the plan will be single species. 

Plan preparation will be under the stewardship of Utah Field Office-Ecological Services. 

Currently Heather Barnes, Region 6, is lead botanist for the Jones cycladenia; Mima Falk, 

Region 2, will coordinate recovery planning activities for Arizona (see above contact 

information). Other Federal agency personnel involved with the species will be 

integrally involved in the planning effort. Our field office biologists will coordinate with 

the Regional endangered species offices as planning proceeds. At the present time this 

species does not warrant the appointment of a recovery team. The Service will 

coordinate recovery efforts with an informal network of experts and involved parties. 

Periodically, meetings among these parties may be convened for the species with the 

purpose of sharing information and ideas about advancing Jones cycladenia recovery. 

B. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 

• General 

All information relevant to recovery of the Jones cycladenia will be housed in 

administrative files found at the Utah Ecological Services field office in West Valley 

City, Utah. The lead botanist will be responsible for maintaining a full administrative 

record for the recovery planning and implementation process for the species, and 

copies of new study findings, survey results, records of meetings, comments received, 

etc., should be forwarded to her. 

• Reporting Requirements 

Information needed for annual accomplishment reports, the Recovery Report to 

Congress, expenditures reports, and implementation tracking should be forwarded by 

all individuals and offices involved in the Jones cycladenia recovery effort to Heather 

Barnes. Copies of the completed reports can then be disseminated to all contributors 

upon request. 
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C. RECOVERY PLAN PRODUCTION SCHEDULE 

Internal review draft: October 2009 

Public review draft: February 2010 

Public comment period: April 2010 

Final plan: July 2010 

D. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS 

 Stakeholders 

• Public land managers with Jones cycladenia populations on their lands 

including representatives of BLM (Price, Moab, and Arizona Strip Field 

Offices), and National Park Service (Capitol Reef National Park, Grand 

Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation 

Area); 

• Tribal, private, and State landowners, such as and Utah State Lands (School 

and Institutional Trust Lands Administration) and the Uinta and Ouray Indian 

Reservation, which may have or have potential for Jones cycladenia 

populations on their lands; 

• Town/county officials for Emery, Garfield, Grand, and Uintah Counties in 

Utah, and Mohave County in Arizona; 

• Representatives of Utah and Arizona State conservation programs; 

• Conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Center for 

Plant Conservation and cooperating institutions; 

• Mining or Energy organizations; 

• Livestock users or organizations; 

• Federal research agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey; and 

• Academic researchers. 

 Stakeholder Involvement Strategy 

Early in the recovery planning process, a meeting of individuals working with the 

Jones cycladenia will be held to exchange status information and identify 

recovery issues. The information emanating from this discussion will provide the 

initial draft for the recovery plan. As necessary, Tribal, State, and local agencies 

will be asked to participate; however, the Service’s Utah Field Office knows of no 

State or local agencies or Tribal officials currently involved in Jones cycladenia or 

likely to have interest in participating on an ongoing basis in the recovery effort, 

particularly with regard to monitoring and regulatory protection of the species. 

Regardless, efforts will be made, as warranted, to contact such agencies or 

officials. 

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References Cited 

Clark, D. 2007. Interagency Plant Team Leader. Pers. comm. June 2007. 

Clark, T. 2007. Capitol Reef National Park, Biological Science Director. Pers. comm. 

June 2007. 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2007. Fourth Assessment Report Climate Change 

2007: Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers. Released on November 17, 2007. 

Hickman, J.C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. Editor. University of 

California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California. 1424 pp. 

Ivory, K. 2006. Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office, Endangered Plant Biologist. 

Pers. comm. May 2006. 

Ivory, K. 2007. Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office, Endangered Plant Biologist. 

Pers. comm. June 2007. 

Johnson, L. 2007. Brigham Young University, Professor of Biology. Pers comm. June 2007. 

Johnson, L. 2008. Brigham Young University, Professor of Biology. Pers comm. 

August 2008. 

Sipes, S.D., and P.G. Wolf. 1997. Clonal Structure and Patterns of Allozyme Diversity in the 

Rare Endemic Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii. American Journal of Botany 

84(3):401-409. 

Sipes, S.D., P.G. Wolf., V.J. Tepedino, and J. Boettinger. 1994. Population Genetics and 

Ecology of Jones Cycladenia. Bureau of Land Management Cost Share Program, Utah 

State Office. 27p + append. 

Sipes, S.D., and V.J. Tepedino. 1996. Pollinator Lost? Reproduction by the Enigmatic Jones 

Cycladenia, Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii (Apocynaceae) in Southwestern Rare and 

Endangered Plants: Proceedings of the Second Conference; Flagstaff, Arizona. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. RM-GTR-283. Fort Collins, Colorado. 328p. 

Spence, J. 2007. Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Botanist. Pers. comm. June 2007. 

Spence, J., and E. Palmquist. In draft. Cycladenia jonesii Eastwood (Apocynaceae) in the Circle 

Cliffs-Escalante region of south-central Utah, Distribution and Monitoring Plan. 

National Park Service Division of Resource Management and Interpretation. Glen 

Canyon National Recreation Area. April 2007. 

Wolf, P.G., S.D. Sipes, and V.J. Tepedino. 1992. Population Genetics of Cycladenia humilis 

var. jonesii BLM. 

Welp, L., and W. Fertig. 2002. Cycladenia jonesii log- 2002 surveys on GSENM. August 5, 

2002. 1 p. 

Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L.C. Higgins. 1993. A Utah Flora, second edition, 

Brigham Young University, Provo Utah, U.S.A. 264 pp.