McFarlin's Lupine Gains Full Species Status; New Justification For Increased Protection, Improved Site Management

 

The pink-blossomed lupine that grows here is finally a full species again and this time it looks as though the designation will stick.

Although a local botanist named James Brigham McFarlin wrote in the early 1930s that this lupine was likely a separate species, he never formally described it.

That task fell to John Beckner, who published the first formal description in 1982 and named it Lupinus aridorum. However in 1986 another botanist named Duane Isley wrote that it was a variety of Lupinus westianus., a species found in the Florida Panhandle.

Now thanks to the recently published results of detailed genetic and morphological analysis of lupines throughout Florida  by Edwin Bridges and Steve Enzor, the plant has regained its full species status. 

According to an article  published in the latest issue of Sabal Minor, the Florida Native Plant Society's bimonthly newsletter, the reclassification provides greater justification for more efforts to protect the few remaining populations.

The article says that Bridges and Orzell have concluded that now that the uncertainty over whether this  was a separate species or merely a variety of another species found in the western Panhandle has been resolved, its status has changed from Globally Vulnerable to Globally Imperiled.

That, in turn, could help to attract state and federal resources to prevent its extinction.

Here at the preserve that would certainly mean opening up more of the terrain around the planting sites to provide better conditions for seed germination and pant survival.

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Lupine Seedling Count Increases Slightly

 I continued the survey of what should be near the end of seedling emergence.

The total as of today was:

First planting area:  85 seedlings.

Second planting area: 12 seedlings.

Third planting area: 4 seedlings.

Today I found one new seedling in each planting area.

As expected, several of the seedlings have died already,

I will follow up at the end of the dry season to check on the survival rate.

I also checked the fence line on the south tract. There is still a cherry laurel blocking the fire lane.

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Seedlings Still Appearing; Open Gate

 I am still finding additional seedlings at the preserve.

All of them are in the first planting area.

Although the majority are in the path next to the first planting area, I finally found one seedling in one of the openings in the first planting area's western section.

The adult plants from later plantings and seedling survival from a couple of years ago are pretty much done blooming. They should start broadcasting seeds in a month or so.

Like others in this planting area, the seedlings are popping up amid the sand spike moss (Selaginella arenicola) that has re-established itself after being removed back when to make way for the initial planting.

In places where I have open sand, Sand Skink tracks are hard to miss, which is another sign of spring.

On the way back to my truck, I noticed the front gate was open. The chain and lock were intact, so I assumed someone just forgot to relock it when they left. Anyway,. it is locked now.

Clearing The Fire Lane For George

 

There have been fallen trees partially blocking the fire lanes for the past couple of years.

I did some work but had decided to let George do it. instead of me.

It seems George died, Meanwhile, I received a small battery-power chainsaw for Christmas that is able to sever tree branches, but not tree trunks.

I decided to go out today to see what I could do to improve the situation.

I was able to trim four of the deadfalls, which will make it easier for FWC staff to check out the area as needed.

I also found two more seedlings today in the now protected path adjacent to the first planting area.

The lupines in the third planting area are in full bloom, but need space to spread seeds. That will be a project for another day.

More Lupines And A Bucketful of Debris

 I revisited the site this morning and put down six more flags, five in the first planting area and one in the second planting area.

One interesting change was I found the westernmost seedling just west of the westermost mature plant that has flowered for the past two years.

I visited the volunteer sites and still find no seedlings. Maybe a future burn will change that. 

The mature plants are still blooming, but one looked close to being done.

While I was doing this I walked the trail system and picked some pieces of broken beer and soda bottles and other debris that rain and wind exposed.

I also noticed a vehicle had been on site recently. but had not entered the path full of seedlings next to the first planting area, which made me glad that my friends at FWC have put the word out to avoid that area.

  

Seedlings Still Popping Up; More Plants Begin To Bloom

 I went out today with just enough flags to mark additional seedlings that I found today.

The bulk of the seedlings are still occurring in open areas in and around the first planting area, which was established in 2008.

According to my count today, there are 54 seedlings in that area.

There are nine seedlings so far in the second planting area, which was established in 2010.

In the most recent planting area, which dates from less than five years ago, there were only three seedlings.

I have checked the volunteer areas farther west a couple of times and so far have found no seedlings.

I'd add that a few of the seedlings I  have flagged this year have already died, which is expected.    

I plan to check for new seedlings at least once again this month. I normally don't any after that.

I plan a follow up survey in May or June to see how many of the seedlings have survived.

Lupines Begin To Bloom

 

While I was checking for and finding additional seedlings at the preserve today, I walked by the only mature plant near the first planting area and noticed it was beginning to bloom.

I did not check the plants in the third planting area, but assume they will begin blooming soon.

I left some extra flags to use in the next survey.

After I left that area. I went out to check the north fence line,

I noticed one of the neighbors had a hog pen, complete with hog.

I noticed some hog damage in the fire land nearby, but for now the animal appeared to be securely confined.