Large-flowered woolly meadowfoam is a low growing annual herb 5-15 cm long. Stems and leaves are sparsely pubescent. Leaves are 1-6 cm long with linear to oblanceolate leaflets 4-8 mm long. Sepals are pubescent without at the base and densely wooly pubescent within, from 8-14 mm long. Petals are white and range from 7-10 mm long. Filaments are 4-5 mm long with anthers less than 1 mm in length. Each flower produces 3-5 obovoid nutlets ranging from 3-4.5 mm long. Depending on the rains and temperature, this taxon can be found flowering from the beginning of March to mid-April.
Overview
Species Common Name Large-flowered woolly meadowfoam
Species Scientific NameLimnanthes pumila ssp. grandiflora
Large-flowered woolly meadowfoam is found in the Agate Desert region of Oregon. This species occurs along wet edges of vernal pools at elevations of approximately 1230-1300 feet. Habitat is characterized by shallow, Agate-Winlow soils and sparse vegetation, with few trees. Topography of the area in which this species grows is mound-swale, with an underlying impervious layer that traps winter rains.
Limiting factors
Destruction of vernal pool habitat, industrial and residential development, agricultural conversion, grazing, and competition with invasive plants have contributed to declines of large-flowered woolly meadowfoam.
Data gaps
Conduct pollination studies. Study potential hybridization with white meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba). Evaluate best management practices. Determine how revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations may impact wetland protections for vernal pools containing the species.
Conservation actions
Continue population monitoring. Maintain current populations and restore vernal pool habitat at priority sites, including Denman Wildlife Area. Target outreach to private landowners in key conservation areas. Augment existing populations in protected habitat.
Key reference or plan
A Recovery Plan for Rogue and Illinois Valley Vernal Pool and Wet Meadow Ecosystems was released in 2012 (https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Rogue&Illinois%20Valley%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan%20031913.pdf).The most recent 5-Year Review was published in 2024 (https://ecosphere-documents-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com/sams/public_docs/species_nonpublish/19944.pdf). Critical Habitat was designated for big-flowered woolly meadowfoam and Cook’s lomatium (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2010-07-21/pdf/2010-17324.pdf).
