This late-May set of photographs is from the Leslie Gulch area of eastern Oregon, USA. I had long been interested in visiting the region, as it is both botanically and geologically fascinating. The area is known for its rock formations and volcanic history, but to botanists and plant enthusiasts it is also a special place. Dr. Barbara Ertter describes Leslie Gulch as a (relatively) recently-discovered botanical hotspot in her article Floristic Surprises in North America North of Mexico. Dr. Ertter, who studied in the area as an undergraduate, notes that “The unique ash-flow tuffs of Leslie Gulch have thus far yielded a total of 5 plant taxa new to science: Senecio ertterae [named in her honour] T.M. Barkley, Mentzelia packardiae Glad, Ivesia rhypara Ertter & Reveal, Artemisia packardiae J.W. Grimes & Ertter, and Phacelia lutea var. mackenziorum J.W. Grimes & P.L. Packard…”. Several other rare taxa which had been previously recorded from nearby sites are also found in the area. I felt privileged to observe 3 of these 5 taxa while there, through my own explorations.
Mentzelia packardiae, or Packard’s stickleaf, is named after Dr. Patricia Packard, a professor at the College of Idaho and curator of the Harold M. Tucker Herbarium for thirty years. It was described and named by Judith B. Glad. The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) has a factsheet about Mentzelia packardiae, which includes some details about Glad: “Judith Glad began her career as a Science Fiction writer. However, time and time again, her stories were rejected for being too romantic. Frustrated and looking for a change, she returned to school to pursue a Master’s degree in Botany. While a graduate student at Oregon State University, Glad discovered two species unknown to science, Packard’s mentzelia (Mentzelia packardiae) and Thompson’s mentzelia (Mentzelia thompsonii). Glad returned to writing and is now both a successful romance novelist and an ecological consultant”.
A small (20-40cm) annual herbaceous species, Mentzelia packardiae is found on potassium-laden volcanic soils of the Leslie Gulch area primarily, with a disjunct population near Elko, Nevada. I observed the species at two separate sites in Leslie Gulch, both being bases of gravelly exposed slopes. This is seemingly the only type of site it will grow in; the Mentzelia packardiae factsheet (PDF) from the Oregon Department of Agriculture states, “occurs at the base of talus slopes along canyon walls in rocky, volcanic ash substrates”. A portion of one of these talus slopes is displayed at the base of the landscape photo. One of these two sites was a research plot, clearly delineated by four rocks and rebar posts. It wasn’t obvious to me whether the study site was for Packard’s stickleaf or the associated species Senecio erterrae (also in the plot), but the stickleaf was growing in the dozens at the site while I only observed a few Senecio erterrae from the plot’s edge (I was being observant for rattlesnakes, so fortunately didn’t stumble my way into the plot and affect any research).
Anazing to see such a delicate flower existing in a rather harsh climate. Thanks!
Also, Thank to Tamara for her excellent writing this past summen. She did a great job!
This area burned in a wildfire in late June and the Vale Oregon BLM Distirct is planning a detailed rehabilitation of the Gulch.
Thank you for the great photos of Mentzelia packardiae. They are far better than any I have. It’s wonderful to see them still thriving in Leslie Gulch.
I sometimes fear the ‘rehabilitation’ of an area as possibly even more damaging than the fire that went through. I am sure there has been fire in that area before. But if the area of these new plant types are growing were left with no ‘rehabilitation’ and then measure the effect of the do nothing approach. Rehab another area and then compare the two.
Several years ago I was asked to look into Mentzelia mollis, another yellow-orange annual stickleaf known from volcanic ash deposits near Black Rock Desert in north west Nevada (where the Burning Man Festival is happening this weekend). It, too, grew at the base of talus slopes in areas of very low total plant cover, just like in the foreground of the 3rd photo. The largest population occupied a patch just 10 to 30 m wide, but over 10 km long! Field study revealed that the population followed a latest-Tertiary fault that had undergone hydrothermal alteration (the rock either side of the fault was chemically modified by solutes in high temperature water moving upwards along the fault). Neither the Artemisia tridentata nor even the Bromus tectorum (nor any of the other zonal species) would grow in the stuff. Edaphic endemism, writ large. There is every reason to suspect a similar story with Mentzelia packardiae.
Wow, I can see why you are so thrilled, and I love the photos. Enjoy the excitement.
Daniel this site and your work is stellar and always appreciated, welcome back. I love seeing what you feature, some are old plant friends, others expand my world.
I would also like to give a thanks to Tamara for the entertainment and knowledge she provided this summer. She is a great writer and I hope she will continue making her work available to the public.
I am somewhat saddened by the fire. It sounds like it was extensive, with wide-ranging impact: Letter including Assessment of Affected Species (PDF).
For a video of the fire (and I have a hard time believing anyone would do this in that area…): 2015 Leslie Gulch Fire.
By some coincidence, I made a similar (though shorter) video about a month earlier, but instead sharing the heavy rains that expedited my already-planned departure for fear of flash floods.
Bob, thanks for the comments re: Mentzelia mollis.