The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comment on a proposal to list the Inyo rock daisy under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
Inyo rock daisy (Perityle inyoensis) is a perennial subshrub in the sunflower family that is endemic to the high elevation areas (2,019-2,774 m/6,623-9,100 ft) of the southern Inyo Mountains of Inyo County. It is restricted to rock outcrops high in calcium carbonate in pinyon woodlands, Joshua tree woodlands and sagebrush shrublands. Inyo rock daisy is known from 26 occurrences with a global population estimate in the low thousands. The main threat to Inyo rock daisy is modification and/or destruction of habitat due to mineral exploration and mining activities. Other potential threats include invasive plant species, climate change, small population size and tourism related to the development of the Cerro Gordo ghost town.
On Feb. 2, 2022, Maria Jesus, the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Native Plant Society submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the Inyo rock daisy as an endangered or threatened species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to advance the species to candidacy on September 2, 2022, and as such, Inyo rock daisy now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code, sections 2074.2 and 2085).
Over the next 12 months, CDFW will conduct a status review to inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list the species under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding Inyo rock daisy’s ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.
CDFW respectfully requests that data and comments be submitted before Dec. 1, 2022 to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Please provide data and comments to CDFW by email at NativePlants@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Inyo rock daisy” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native Plant Program, Attn: Kristi Lazar, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action is warranted (Fish and Game Code, section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Please note, the Commission—which is a legally separate entity from CDFW—is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code, section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission web page for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.
The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.
CDFW Photo: Inyo rock daisy, by Kristi Lazar
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Media Contacts:
Kristi Lazar, CDFW Habitat Conservation Planning Branch/Native Plant Program, (916) 594-5425
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714