U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Dudley Bluffs twinpod obcordata

Dudley Bluffs twinpod close-up / Gina Glenne USFWS

When Congress passed the What does the Dudley Bluffs Endangered Species Act (ESA) in twinpod look like? 1973, it recognized that many of our Dudley Bluffs twinpod is a nation’s native and animals herbaceous (non-woody) were in danger of becoming extinct. species in the mustard family The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (). It is a compact plant (Service) administers the ESA to with many raised branches arising preserve these imperiled species and from a deep tap root. The plant their habitats for future generations. grows on average 4 to 7 inches tall and 7 inches wide. Stems are smooth On February 6th, 1990, the Dudley and narrow with oval to arrowhead Bluffs twinpod was listed as a shaped leaves that are very dense at threatened species (55 FR 4152 5157). the base. Dudley Bluffs twinpod’s clusters of bright-yellow flowers Dudley Bluffs twinpod / BLM Figure 1 Figure 2 bloom for a short time between mid- May and June.

Dudley Bluffs twinpod is a close relative of the common sharpleaf twinpod (Physaria acutifolia) and it can be difficult to distinguish the two species at a glance. However, a closer look at the shape of the tiny hairs on the leaves with a hand lens will confirm its identity: Dudley Bluffs twinpod has satellite-dish shaped hairs (see Figure 1) while sharpleaf twinpod’s are star-shaped (see Figure 2).

Where does the Dudley Bluffs twinpod occur? Dudley Bluffs twinpod is only known to occur in the general area of Piceance Creek in Rio Blanco County

Mountain-Prairie Region Region 6

What can you do to help conserve the Dudley Bluffs twinpod? “Stay the trail” and “tread lightly.” Request information about how to avoid this sensitive species and its habitat at the local BLM or State office. Obtain available funding and assistance to help conserve the species on private and local government lands. Opportunities Dudley Bluffs twinpod habitat / USFWS could include costs for fencing, tax credits, or assistance with conservation easements. in western Colorado, near the town Avoided, minimized, and mitigated Join the conversation! Contact us of Meeker. The species is restricted threats by working with partners and network with others working to barren (sparsely vegetated), white to design and implement to conserve the Dudley Bluffs outcrops and steep slopes of the conservation measures. bladderpod. Parachute Creek Member and Established population monitoring Participate in recovery planning, certain tongues of the Green River to observe trends and allow conservation, and outreach efforts. Formation. Its habitat is unique partners to respond to impacts. Spread the word about this because it supports the growth of Designated four Areas of Critical local treasure! only a few plants that can tolerate Environmental Concern (ACECs) Become a volunteer steward with difficult growing conditions. to conserve the species on public the Colorado Natural Areas lands. Program! Visit: http://www.parks. Why does the Dudley Bluffs twinpod  Conducted vital research on life state.co.us/NaturalResources/ need protection? history and reproductive CNAP/Pages/CNAP.aspx The unique geology of the Piceance requirements, genetics, and Creek area is important to the reintroduction potential. Dudley Bluffs twinpod (and many other endemic plant species). It is What needs to be done to recover also part of the ’s the Dudley Bluffs twinpod? multimineral zone, an area Continue working with partners containing large reserves of oil shale, to design and implement natural gas, and minerals. However, conservation measures. energy exploration, extraction, and Continue surveying for and the many associated activities in the monitoring populations. region can disturb or degrade the Help private landowners and the fragile shale habitats. They can also State to conserve the species, its pose a threat to native ground habitat, and areas for pollinators. Dudley Bluffs twinpod fruits / nesting that pollinate Dudley Establish additional conservation Jill Handwerk CNHP Bluffs twinpod. These threats and areas on Federal, State, and others, including weed invasion and private lands. Western Colorado Field Office increased access to these remote Conduct education and outreach areas by recreationists, must be in the community. 764 Horizon Drive addressed by the Service, Federal, Grand Junction, CO 81506 State, and private partners to (970) 243-2778 protect and conserve this species. http://www.fws.gov/coloradoes

What has been done to recover the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dudley Bluffs twinpod? Region 6 The Service adopted a Recovery PO Box 25486 Plan for the Dudley Bluffs twinpod Denver Federal Center in 1993. The collaborative work of Denver, Colorado 80225 numerous Federal, State, and private partners has: March 2013

Dudley Bluffs twinpod / Gina Glenne USFWS

Mountain-Prairie Region Region 6