Growing the state endemic, Oregon semaphoregrass (Pleuropogon oregonus): Focus on a successful propagation and introduction program on Burns Paiute Tribal lands

Authors: Copeland, Stella; CROUCH, CARTER - International Crane Foundation; PALMER, BRANDON - Burns Paiute Tribe; Hamerlynck, Erik; Ziegenhagen, Lori; BROWN, JORDAN - Oregon Department Of Agriculture

Submitted to: Native Plants Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2022
Publication Date: 3/20/2023
Citation: Copeland, S.M., Crouch, C.G., Palmer, B.J., Hamerlynck, E.P., Ziegenhagen, L.L., Brown, J. 2023. Growing the state endemic, Oregon semaphoregrass (Pleuropogon oregonus): Focus on a successful propagation and introduction program on Burns Paiute Tribal lands. Native Plants Journal. 24(1):62-71. https://doi.org/10.3368/npj.24.1.62.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/npj.24.1.62

Interpretive Summary: Oregon semaphoregrass is a rare species occurring in only a handful of montane meadows in eastern Oregon. An introduction program over about 20 years has sought to expand the geographic extent and increase the number of plants via introductions in new sites and areas. We describe propagation and outplanting methods for the most successful introduction area to date on Burns Paiute Tribal lands in Logan Valley, a high elevation meadow near Burns, Oregon. The methods documented here may be useful for establishing new self-sustaining introduced populations, provided sites with suitable environmental characteristics are identified.

Technical Abstract: Oregon semaphoregrass (Pleuropogon oregonus Chase [Poaceae]) is a rare grass that occurs in only a handful of locations in eastern Oregon montane wet meadows, primarily on private lands. Propagation and outplanting methods have been developed over the past few decades to expand the geographic extent and to increase the number of plants by introductions in protected areas. The species rapidly increases through rhizomatous growth in a range of environmental conditions, provided sufficient moisture and nutrients are present, but is susceptible to some pests and pathogens. Over 2 decades, introductions with vegetative material have survived and increased in a mid-elevation meadow on Burns Paiute Tribal lands, a site relatively far from natural populations. Introductions in other areas have largely failed, however, likely because of unsuitable site environmental characteristics. Lessons learned from the successful propagation and outplanting program on Burns Paiute Tribal lands may be useful in future introductions, provided necessary site environmental attributes are identified.