ELEMENT STEWARDSHIP ABSTRACT FOR NARTHECIUM AMERICANUM November 29, 1990 Stewardship Abstract No.: 010 By Alfred E. Schuyler For: State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy Division of Parks and Forestry Office of Natural Lands Management CN 404 Trenton, New Jersey 08625 Element Stewardship Abstract Element Stewardship Abstracts (ESA's) are prepared to provide land managers and other conservation workers with current biological and management related information on those species and natural ecosystems that are most important to protect or for which control is most needed. The abstracts organize and summarize data from numerous sources, including the literature and from researchers and managers actively working with the species or ecosystem. The ESA format was originally developed by The Nature Conservancy as a starting point for the stewardship of the many species and ecosystems, or elements, protected by the Conservancy. The New Jersey Office of Natural Lands Management is developing ESA's for those elements that are of particular importance as components of the biota of the state. This includes globally rare plant species that are also listed on New Jersey's official Endangered Plant Species List. The ESA serves several important functions. It helps to identify information gaps and target future research efforts. It provides a standard format for highlighting specific information about a species or community including its management needs. It also allows information to be readily communicated among various preserves, state offices, regional centers, natural heritage programs and private organizations. The ESA is a dynamic document that is continuously updated as new information becomes available. Users are encouraged to contribute their information to the abstract. This sharing of information will benefit all land managers by ensuring the availability of up-to-date information on management techniques and knowledgeable contacts. Please contact the Office of Natural Lands Management for an ESA publication list. It will contain the date of the latest revision to each ESA. Please refer to the abstract number when ordering ESA's. The abstract is a compilation of available information and is not an endorsement of particular practices or products. Element Name: NARTHECIUM AMERICANUM Ker. (Liliaceae) Element Code: PMLIL1L010 Preparer: Alfred E. Schuyler Common Name: Yellow Asphodel Description: Habit: perennial rhizomatous herb with linear equitant basal leaves and an erect stem terminated by a raceme of yellow flowers. Stem: simple, erect stems up to 50 cm tall from stout horizontal rhizomes. Leaves: basal leaves equitant, linear, up to 25 cm long and 3 mm wide, 7-9 nerved. Stem leaves few and bract-like. Inflorescence: dense raceme up to 8 cm long with a linear bractlet at base of each pedicel. Flowers: perianth segments linear, up to 9 mm long, yellow. Stamens with densely hairy filiform filaments. Ovary gradually tapering to style with minutely 3-lobed stigma. Fruits: long-pointed reddish-brown capsules up to 14 mm long. Seeds narrowly elliptic with elongate filiform tails at each end. Distinctions from Related Species: Narthecium americanum closely resembles three other species which are geographically separated from it and each other. These are N. californicum from western North America, N. asiaticum from Asia, and N. ossifragum from Europe and western Asia. N. americanum is generally smaller in size, with smaller structural features, than the other species (Gates, 1918). There is some justification for recognizing these as one worldwide species. Habitat: The recorded range for N. americanum is New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In Delaware there are two occurrences reported by Tatnall (1946). In North Carolina and South Carolina there is one occurrence in each state (Sutter et al. 1987). In New Jersey there are numerous occurrences in the Pine Barrens. Stone (1911, 1912) described the habitat as moist savannas or broad, wet, sandy bogs along streams. Stasz (pers. comm., 1990) states that plants often grow in quaking bog mats associated with springy seeps. When not occurring in bog mats, N. americanum grows on relatively firm wet substrates that are generally free of standing water but may be periodically flooded for short periods of time. Populations often border white cedar swamps and sometimes are in openings of such swamps (NJNHP, 1989a). Associated herbaceous species include Aster nemoralis, Calamagrostis pickeringii, Calamovilfa brevipilis, Juncus caesariensis, Lophiola americana, Muhlenbergia torreyana, Platanthera integra, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Rhynchospora oligantha, Schizaea pusilla, and Tofieldia racemosa (NJNJP, 1989a; Stasz, pers. comm., 1990; Stone, 1912). Species of the moss genus Sphagnum are often abundant where N. americanum occurs. Biology/Ecology: N. americanum flowers in June and July. Flowers are probably both self- and cross-pollinated as reported for the closely related N. ossifragum (Summerfield, 1974). Insects probably are the main pollen vectors, although some pollen may be directly deposited on stigmas from adjacent anthers in late-opening flowers (Summerfield, 1974). Seed production is high and although seeds germinate readily, seedlings are rarely encountered in the field (Stasz, pers. comm., 1990). In N. ossifragum, Summerfield (1974) suggested "the copious production of viable seed is likely to be an 'insurance' against the minute chance of successful germination and as a means of extending the spread of the plant over greater distances than are possible by vegetative means." As is the case with N. ossifragum, reproduction in N. americanum in most situations is vegetative from rhizomes. In some instances, the rhizomes form extensive turf (NJNHP, 1989a; Stasz, pers. comm., 1990). Narthecium americanum appears to be dependent on water moving through the substrate. It is not found in places where water movement is minimal or stagnant (Stasz, pers. comm., 1990). As is the case with N. ossifragum, it probably is an indicator of flushed habitats (Summerfield, 1974). If the substrate becomes wetter through flooding or continuous surface saturation, N. americanum may be eradicated. Stone (1912) stated that N. americanum "is one of those plants which are exterminated by cranberry culture." Shading inhibits flowering of N. americanum. Stasz (pers. comm., 1990) reports finding only vegetative plants in areas shaded by Chamaecyparis. In N. ossifragum, Summerfield (1974) states that the "standing crop at light intensities of 30% full daylight or below is reduced by a factor of at least two and the plant does not flower" and "vegetative productivity in the following year is further reduced." Locally dense patches of flowering N. americanum have been observed in swamps where white cedars were killed by fire (NJNHP, 1989a). This suggests that vegetative plants may be fire resistant to some extent and can recolonize burned areas where populations have been previously diminished by shade. In N. ossifragum, no regeneration was observed after severe burning and growth in periodically burned areas was scattered and depauperate (Summerfield, 1974). Continuous trampling of N. ossifragum produces stands with a high density of stunted sterile shoots (Summerfield, 1974). Presumably the same would happen in trampled stands of N. americanum. Determination of Element Occurrence (EO) Quality: Numerous populations with high EO quality presently occur in the New Jersey Pine Barrens (NJNHP, 1989a). A few sites have been eliminated by conversion to commercial cranberry bogs and at least one by residential development (NJNHP, 1989a). Some populations have large numbers of non-flowering plants where shading is probably a factor although a few of these may be affected by wetter or dryer than usual conditions. Occurrences of N. americanum outside of New Jersey are all historical. It is extirpated from the Carolinas (Sutter et al, 1987) and Delaware (Tucker et al., 1979). Threats: The greatest threat to N. americanum is disruption of the water regime. Anything that makes its habitat wetter or dryer will eliminate it. In the Pine Barrens this includes flooding by beaver activity and commercial cranberry growers, and damming streams for recreational lakes. Some sites are threatened by shading of swamp forest trees, particularly Chamaecyparis. Habitat destruction related to development is a threat to sites near the periphery of the Pine Barrens. Trampling by all- terrain-vehicles is a potential problem. Land Protection Specifications: It is critical that watersheds be protected from anything that disrupts present water regimes. Water flow in streams and seeps must be unimpeded. Sites near agricultural and residential development should be protected from expansion of such development. Recovery Potential: In situations where turf has been destroyed, recovery would be slow if dependent on reproduction from seeds. Plants of N. ossifragum raised from seed did not produce rhizomes within the first two years (Summerfield, 1974). If rhizome systems are not severely damaged, recovery would be quicker. Some disturbances that fragment rhizomes might stimulate lateral bud formation as Summerfield reported (1974) for N. ossifragum. As long as viable rhizomes remain in the substrate, N. americanum has high recovery potential. Biological Monitoring Needs: Populations subject to potential threats such as development or cranberry farming, as well as populations consisting mostly of vegetative plants, should be monitored annually. Selected populations in high quality habitats should be evaluated every two or three years. Biological Monitoring Procedures: Monitoring should record changes in population sizes, changes in water level, and relative proportions of vegetative and flowering plants. Searches should be conducted for N. americanum at previously known sites. Biological Monitoring Programs: Local field botanists, including T. Gordon and G. Moore, provide periodic updates on populations at sites known to them. Research Needs: More information is needed on the capacity of N. americanum to persist in marginal habitats in the vegetative condition. Also we need to know more about its tolerance of fire and logging. The degree to which succession may be a threat needs evaluation. Management Needs: Advise land-owners of need to maintain water regime necessary for survival of N. AMERICANUM. Summary of Stewardship Needs: Narthecium americanum is a rare plant restricted to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It grows on sphagnous bog mats or firm peaty sandy substrates where water movement occurs near the surface. It is sensitive to flooding and drying. Shading inhibits flowering and productivity. Habitat quality is high at most sites because of their location in protected portions of the Pine Barrens. Alteration of its water regime is a serious threat and therefore N. americanum is vulnerable to beaver activity, cranberry culture, and the damming of streams for recreational lakes. Recovery potential is low if rhizome systems are destroyed because of the long time it takes for young plants to produce rhizomes. Sites should be monitored for population size changes, water level changes, and the number of flowering plants present. Searches for plants at historical sites should continue. More research is needed on the capacity of vegetative plants to persist in marginal habitats. The tolerance of fire and logging and the degree to which succession is a threat need evaluation. Protection is needed to maintain the special water requirements necessary for N. americanum to survive. Bibliography for Narthecium americanum ker: Bassett, G.W. 1912. Trials and Pleasures of the Collector. Bartonia No. 4: 11-13. Bassett, G.W. 1913. The Trail of the Winding Water. Bartonia No. 5: 6-10. Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany. 8th ed. American Book Co., New York, lxiv + 1632 pp. Garren, K.H. 1943. Effects of Fire on Vegetation of the Southeastern United States. Bot. Rev. 9(9): 617-654. Gates, R.R. 1918. A Systematic Study of the North American Melanthaceae from the Genetic Standpoint. J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 44: 131-172. Gleason, H.A. 1952. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., Princeton. li + 810 pp. Hoch, J.H. 1969. Poisonous Plants of South Carolina. 5. Acta Phytother. 16: 181-184. NJNHP. 1989a. Element Occurrence Summaries. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Trenton. NJNHP. 1989b. State Ranking Forms. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Trenton. Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles & C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. lxi + 1833 pp. Small, J.K. 1924. A New Bog-Asphodel from the Mountains. Torreya 24(5): 86-87. Stasz, J.L. 1990. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Upper Marlboro, MD, personal communication. Stone, W. 1911. The Plants of Southern New Jersey. Annual Rep. New Jersey State Mus., 1910, Part II, 21-828. Stone, W. 1912. Abama americana (Ker) Morong. Bartonia No. 4: 1-5. Summerfield, R.J. 1974. Narthecium ossifragum (L.) Huds. J. Ecol. 62(1): 325-339. Sutter, R.D., V. Frantz & K.A. McCarthy. 1987. Atlas of the Rare and Endangered Plant Species in North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Raleigh. iii + 174 pp. Tatnall, R.R. 1946. Flora of Delaware and the Eastern Shore. The Society of Natural History of Delaware, Wilmington. xxvi + 313 pp. Tucker, A.O., N.H. Dill, C.R. Broome, C.E. Phillips, & M.J. Maciarello. 1979. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Delaware. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner. x + 89 pp. Utech, F.H. 1978. Floral Vascular Anatomy of Pleea tenuifolia Michx. (Liliaceae-Tofieldieae) and its Reassignment to Tofieldia. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 47: 423-454.