Erysimum menziesii is a species of Erysimum known by the common name Menzies' wallflower. This rare plant is endemic to California. It is found only in the declining beach sand dune habitat in three areas on the California coastline, in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Monterey Counties. It is listed as an endangered species on the California state and federal levels. There are three to four subspecies depending on the authority, and each is rare.
Description
Erysimum menziesii is a mustardlike biennial or perennial herb which is short in size, reaching maximum heights of usually not more than 15 centimeters. The leaves are long and straight along the stem, and often thicker, hairier, and lobed in shape at the base. The top of the stem is occupied by a thick bunch of flowers with bright yellow, rounded petals. The flowers fall away to leave behind the fruits, which are very long siliques sticking straight out. The plant can vary in appearance, particularly across subspecies. At least one subspecies is pollinated by the similarly distressed beeEmphoropsis miserabilis. The plant has high fecundity, but very low seedlingsurvivorship, with over 98% of seedlings perishing within the first year. At least one subspecies is commonly infected with the white rust fungusAlbugo canadensis.
E. m. ssp. yadonii — known from a few occurrences near Marina in Monterey County. Some of have been destroyed by mining operations and other factors. Some plants occur at Marina State Beach, including some individuals which have been propagated and planted in appropriate habitat.
E. m. ssp. concinnum — known from Mendocino County into Oregon. This subspecies was revised from Erysimum concinnum to a subspecies of E. menziesii after the 1992 listing, so it was not included under the Endangered Species Act.
Because Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum has been included within this species since it received its federal listing as Erysimum concinnum, the species is now technically more abundant than it was then, but there is no current reliable estimate of the species' abundance now. In 1997, there were about 22 occurrences containing 33,000 individuals, not counting ssp. concinnum. A number of forces threaten the species' existence. Minor threats include trampling by hikers and horseback riders, off-road vehicles, and sand mining operations. Many occurrences of the plant are protected from these threats. A more major threat is the invasion of non-native plant species such as Pampas grass. Conservation projects underway for the species include removal of this vegetation from the habitat.
