My mentor, Ryan O’Dell and I have been busy mapping out potential habitat for threatened San Benito evening primrose Camissonia benitensis (CABE). CABE is listed as a rare serpentine endemic meaning it only grows on serpentine soil. In 2010 three new habitat types were discovered outside of its known habitat (serpentine stream terraces) including serpentine geologic transition zones, serpentine rock outcrops, and shale outcrops. Finding CABE populations on shale rock outcrops was a bit of a surprise to me because its soil chemistry is so different from serpentine soil. CABE does not do well agaisnt competitors and the adverse soil conditions found in these habitats greatly reduce competition from other plant species.
Camissonia benitensis
Serpentine alluvial stream terrace
I have also been assisting with CABE seed production by harvesting fruits and processing seed for storage. The plan is to store the seed for future introductions into potential habitat we find nearby. It’s been very rewarding to be able to be apart of CABE recovery. Hopefully with these new populations we will be closer to getting CABE off the threatened list.
CABE fruits
In other CABE news, one of my past professors, Justen Whittall and I were able to film pollinator visits to CABE which is currently thought to be self-pollinated. Check out the video link below. Justen is currently conducting population genetic diversity research as part of the recovery criteria for CABE.