| Oenothera deltoidessubsp. howellii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Onagraceae |
| Genus: | Oenothera |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | O. d.subsp. howellii |
| Trinomial name | |
| Oenothera deltoidessubsp. howellii (Munz) Klein[1] | |
Oenothera deltoides subsp.howellii, theAntioch Dunes evening primrose, is anendangered subspecies of plant in the familyOnagraceae, genusOenothera, and speciesOenothera deltoides.[2]
Oenothera deltoides subsp.howellii is a short-livedperennial plant with thick stems varying from 4 to 40 inches in length. It is multi-branching in form and tends to grow in large tufts. The grayish colored leaves are shaped like alance and are about 1 to 5 inches long with many hairs, primarily short with only a few being longer. Its flowers are white with inch-long petals and yellowstamens. It blooms from March to September. The subspecies is often confused withOenothera deltoides ssp.cognata that grows in an area southeast of the protected area.[3]
The Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose blooms for only one night.[4] The flowers are a major host plant for a rare species of sweat bee,Sphecodogastra antiochensis.[5]
Oenothera deltoides subsp.howellii is aperennial plant that grows only in an environmentally sensitivesand dune habitat located near the meeting of theSacramento River and theSan Joaquin River inCalifornia.[3]
In 1979Oenothera deltoides subsp.howellii, the Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose, was declared an endangered species.[6][7] Currently, its habitat is restricted to theAntioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, the last remnant of an isolated nine kilometer stretch of sand dune habitat. The refuge was formed in 1980 to prevent extinction of this plant, as well as Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei) and theContra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum var.angustatum).[8] This refuge is the first national wildlife refuge in the U.S. formed to protect endangered plants and insects, and it is open for viewing to the public only under supervision because of the sensitive status of these species.[9]
In 2007 a five-year review of its endangered status was completed,[10] and its status was continued unchanged.[11]
