White fairy poppy

Photo is needed for this SGCN.

White fairy poppy is a diminutive annual forb that is 2-16 cm tall with erect to ascending stems. The whorled basal leaves are 3-18 mm long, with a blade that’s linear-spatulate (appearing to have an ~10 mm petiole) and entire margins, while stem leaves are opposite and sessile. The flower receptacle is shorter than broad and expands into a small ring beneath the sepals. The petals are white, 1-5 mm long, and alternately obovate and oblanceolate with a rounded apex. There are 4-6 stamens in one series (row) and the anthers are widely elliptic to round. The linear fruit capsules of are 20-30 mm long with 0.5 mm seeds that are obovate-reniform.

Overview

  • Species Common Name White fairy poppy
  • Species Scientific Name Meconella oregana
  • Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
  • State Listing Status Threatened

Ecoregions

Special needs

White fairy poppy is found in open grasslands with minimal woody vegetation or in openings within woodlands or forests. Occurs in habitats that are wet to moist in spring but dry in summer, near vernal seeps, small streams, or on bare soil under large shrubs.

Limiting factors

Threatened by degradation of native grasslands, including domination by non-native perennial and annual grasses and invasive shrubs. Fire suppression contributes to threats from encroachment. Also threatened by grazing, development, and human recreation.

Conservation actions

Continue to monitor known populations for status of threats, site condition, and abundance of plants. Remove problematic non-native species as needed but only when the impact to the environment is minimal—carefully, consider the impacts of the action. When possible, apply appropriate fire regimes to maintain habitat. Collect and bank seed as insurance against local extirpation or extinction and to use in ex-situ research. Conduct ex-situ seed/plug production for introduction and augmentation efforts.

Key reference or plan

White fairy poppy is currently listed as Endangered in Canada and the Parks Canada Agency developed a comprehensive recovery strategy in 2013. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/white-meconella-meconella-oregana-proposed-2012.html
Marshall, DA, and J Brown. 2023. 2023 listing status assessment for Meconella oregana (white fairy poppy). Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, Oregon.