Growing the highly restricted 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: N/A
Citation: N/A

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 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.