Pacific Biodiversity Institute - Endangered Species Information Network
Lomatium bradshawii
(Bradshaw's desert parsley)
Family Apiaceae

Status: Federally Endangered (Listed: 1988), Washington Endangered, Oregon Endangered

Description 
Herbaceous perennial with erect stems up to 65 cm high.  The leaves are deeply dissected giving them a parsley look.  The flowers grow in light yellow clusters at the end of the stem in April and May.

Threats: agricultural and residential development

Overview
The populations of this once abundant Oregon plant have been severely reduced by agriculture.  The remaining populations are threatened by development, since 90% of the known remaining plants occur within a 10-mile radius of Eugene Oregon. There are 14 remaining populations ranging in size from a few plants to thousands.  Recovery is focusing on land and easement acquisition to protect remaining prairie. The Nature Conservancy is protecting the largest population, with over 10,000 plants, located near Willow Creek.  The Bureau of Land Management manages land containing another population which was historically leased for agriculture but is now being administered with the health of this plant in mind.  Other populations being managed for this species long term survival are on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Army Corps of Engineers property.  The Berry Botanic Garden is establishing a Lomatium bradshawii seed bank to aid reintroduction efforts. Lomatium bradshawii grows in seasonally flooded prairie lowlands in areas that are moist year round such as near streams or lakes.   They also need periodic grass fires, to reduce competition from weedy and shrubby plants.  Unlike most endangered plants, there is much known about this species, as it has been studied since 1979.
 
Distribution

This species was once widespread in wet open areas of the Willamette Valley of western Oregon.  In 1993 populations were limited to a few sites in the counties of Lane(9), Linn(1), Marion(1) and Benton(3). Lomatium bradshawii occurs with many rare and endangered plant species in addition to the rare butterfly Fender’s blue  (Icariacia icarioides fenderi) which was thought to be extinct until 1988, the Oregon chub (Hybopsis crameri), and the western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata).


North American Distribution
(map from the Biota of North America Program)

Distribution by County

Sources
Lowe, D.W., J.R. Mathhews, and C.J. Moseley. 1994. The Official World Wildlife Fund Guide to Endangered Species of North America.  Beacham Publishing, DC.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw’s lomatium) Recovery Plan.  Portland, Oregon
 
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