Xxxxxx’x Beardtongue. Xxxxxx’x beardtongue is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). The species was described by X. X. Xxxx in 1937 based on specimens collected by Xxxxxx in 1933 (Xxxxxx 1937). Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants spend much of the year as small basal rosettes from taproots. From May through June, individual plants produce up to 20 or more pink to lavender flowers on one or more stems that are as high as 20 centimeters (cm; 8 inches) tall (Welsh et al. 2008). Detailed descriptions are provided in A Utah Flora (Welsh et al. 2008) and on the Utah rare plant guide website (Utah Native Plant Society [UNPS] 2003–2013). The species occurs at an elevation range of 1,426–2,128 meters (4,678–6,981 feet). The currently known range of Xxxxxx’x beardtongue is an approximately 80-mile long, 6-mile-wide “horseshoe-shaped band” that occurs from Rio Xxxxxx County in Colorado south/southwest to the southeastern border of Duchesne County in Utah (USFWS 2013b). Currently, there are 24 known sub-populations of Xxxxxx’x beardtongue, with an estimated total number of 31,702 plants across their range (USFWS 2013b). Xxxxxx’x beardtongue occurs on federal and non-federal lands. No plants are currently known to exist on tribal lands (USFWS 2013b), but tribal lands between known populations have not yet been surveyed and there is potential for plants to occur in these areas. The species’ approximate known distribution is represented by the 2013 proposed Penstemon grahamii critical habitat (78 Federal Register 47832) in Figure 1.
Xxxxxx’x Beardtongue. Approximately 27 percent of the Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants in the demographic monitoring plots flowered, and approximately 15 percent of flowering plants produced seed in 2018. There was an average of 9 seeds per fruit in 2018. Approximately 31% of Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants in the demographic plots were damaged, with 9% of damage from browsing or grazing; several of the flowering stalks were browsed (removed) from the plants prior to fruiting. Approximately 15 percent of the stems were desiccated (dried out), and may be dead; however, monitoring of these plots will continue in 2019. In addition, insect herbivory, rock movement, disease, or unknown cause of damage were noted for approximately 21 percent of the plants. The most common type of disturbance noted in the monitoring plots was xxxx or droppings, primarily attributed to native ungulates (deer and elk) and lagomorphs; this type of disturbance was noted in approximately 18 percent of the plots, generally within 5 cm of Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants. Animal tracks (non-livestock) were noted in approximately 9 percent of the plots, at an average distance of 9 cm from Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants. No damage was attributed to livestock grazing.
Xxxxxx’x Beardtongue. Xxxxxx’x beardtongue plants composed approximately 0.6% (trace) of the total cover within the monitoring plots. The average shrub / tree cover was 7.4%, grass cover was 1%, total forb cover was 1.5%, and biological soil crust cover was 4%. Bare soil composed approximately 18.5% of the total cover. Average total rock cover (including shale, channery, building stone) in the plots was 65.2%. Litter composed approximately 8% of the average cover. Invasive plant species composed approximately 0.1% (trace) of the total cover. Disturbance composed approximately 0.4 % (trace) of the total cover.
Xxxxxx’x Beardtongue. Within the 100 m2 census monitoring plots, a total of 140 plants were counted (average 9 plants per plot), comprising 16 reproductive and 124 non-reproductive plants. Overall, 11.4 % of the total plants in the census plots were reproductive. There was an average of 1 reproductive plant and 8 non-reproductive plants per 100 m2 plot.
