Basic Information
Common Name: Chaparral Nolina
Scientific Name: Nolina cismontana
Species Code: NOLCIS
Management Category: SL (species at risk of loss)
Occurrence Map
Table of Occurrences
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Species Information

MSP Species Background

Goals and Objectives

Goal: Maintain or enhance existing chaparral nolina occurrence(s) and establish new occurrences, as needed, so there are multiple, self-sustaining populations on Conserved Lands to increase resilience to environmental and demographic stochasticity, maintain genetic diversity, and improve chances of persistence over the long term (>100 years) in chaparral and coastal sage scrub vegetation communities.

regional and/or local NFO 2020 SL
MON-IMP-IMG NOLCIS-1

Management units: 4, 5

In 2020, inspect chaparral nolina occurrence(s) on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Based upon occurrence status and threats, determine management needs including whether routine management or more intensive management is warranted. available for implementation
IMP-1 Based upon occurrence status and threats, determine management needs including whether routine management or more intensive management is warranted. on hold
IMP-2 Submit project metadata, occurrence status, habitat and threats data, and management recommendations to the MSP Web Portal.
Criteria Deadline year
Surveys Completed in 2020 with Management Recommendations 2021
Threat Name Threat Code
Altered fire regimeALTFIR
Human uses of the PreservesHUMUSE
Invasive plantsINVPLA
Code Obj. code Statement
NOLCIS-2 MGT-IMP-IMG Beginning in 2020, conduct routine management actions as identified through the 2016 and subsequent IMG monitoring at chaparral nolina occurrence(s) on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) . Depending on the type and level of threat, management should be conducted as needed, not necessarily every year, and using BMPs with precautions to do no harm.
local NFO 2020, 2021 SL
MGT-IMP-IMG NOLCIS-2

Management units: 4, 5

Beginning in 2020, conduct routine management actions as identified through the 2016 and subsequent IMG monitoring at chaparral nolina occurrence(s) on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) . Depending on the type and level of threat, management should be conducted as needed, not necessarily every year, and using BMPs with precautions to do no harm.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Perform routine management activities such as protecting occurrences from disturbance through enforcement and controlling invasive non-native plant species. on hold
IMP-2 Submit project metadata and management data to the MSP Web Portal. on hold
Criteria Deadline year
Routine Management Completed as Needed Based Upon Monitoring Recommendations 2021
Threat Name Threat Code
Altered fire regimeALTFIR
Human uses of the PreservesHUMUSE
Invasive plantsINVPLA
Code Obj. code Statement
NOLCIS-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2020, inspect chaparral nolina occurrence(s) on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
NOLCIS-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2020, inspect chaparral nolina occurrence(s) on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
Rare Plant Inspect and Manage Monitoring 2014-2026
From 2014-2026, a Management and Monitoring Strategic Plan (MSP Roadmap) monitoring objective for 30 rare plant species is to inspect occurrences to determine management needs. The inspect and manage (IMG) objective is implemented to document the status of rare plant occurrences and assess habitats and threats to develop specific management recommendations. IMG monitoring is implemented by a combination of land managers and contracted biologists in coordination with the SDMMP. Available rare plant data is posted below. New annual updates are typically posted in March. Based upon an evaluation of these data, a 2014-2026 monitoring schedule has been developed for the 30 rare plant species (attached below). Coordinating data collection across the region allows analyses of species and population trends over time and provides a better understanding of the association between habitat and threat covariates and population dynamics.
Valley Fire Rare Plant Discovery Surveys
A project between the SDMMP and US Forest Service to establish and prioritize survey areas on Conserved Lands within the perimeter of the 2020 Valley Fire to document whether historic occurrences are extant and to discover new occurrences for 18 rare plant species. In 2022, AECOM and Conservation Biology Institute botanists surveyed areas for 18 target rare plant species and mapped the spatial extent of each new occurrence, counted or estimated the occurrence population size, and collected voucher specimens. They also photographed each new occurrence from a georeferenced location that captured a representative view of the occurrence. Botanists created a species list for the areas surveyed within the Valley Fire footprint. These areas included locations where rare plants were detected and mapped and negative data point areas where rare plants were not detected. In 2023, botanists shall again conduct surveys on suitable habitat on USFS lands burned in the 2020 Valley Fire. Results from these surveys should lead to a greater understanding of post-fire rare plant composition. In 2023, botanists may see species that did not emerge in the first year of surveys, and species found in the first year of surveys may have expanded their range. The 18 rare plant species included in the surveys are: San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), Marvin's allium (Allium marvinii), Western spleenwort (Asplenium vespertinum), Deane's milkvetch (Astragalus deanei), Encinitas baccharis (Baccharis vanessae), San Diego goldenstar (Bloomeria clevelandii), Orcutt's brodiaea (Brodiaea orcuttii), Lakeside ceanothus (Ceanothus cyaneus), San Miguel savory (Clinopodium chandleri), Variegated dudleya (Dudleya variegata), Mission Canyon bluecup (Githopsis diffusa filicaulis), Ramona horkelia (Horkelia truncata), Heart-leaved pitcher sage (Lepechinia cardiophylla), Felt-leaved pitcher sage (Monardella hypoleuca lanata), Chaparral nolina (Nolina cismontana), Gander's ragwort (Packera ganderi), Moreno currant (Ribes canthariforme), and Parry's tetracoccus (Tetracoccus dioicus).

Current Distribution Rangewide

Endemic to California [1]. Occurs in the foothills of Santa Ynez Mountains in western Ventura County, Simi Hills and Santa Ana Mountains to the foothills west of Palomar and Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County [2].

Known Populations in San Diego County

In MSPA,the only recent occurrence documented since 2000 on Conserved Lands in the MSPA is at Hellhole Canyon Preserve in MU8, which burned in 2003 and 2007 and may no longer be extant [3].

List Status

None

Habitat Affinities

Occurs in coastal foothills in xeric coastal sage scrub and open chaparral habitats from 140-1275m [1,2]. Found on sandstone and/or gabbro soils [1]; also reported in Cieneba, Los Posas fine sandy loams, Lodo, Calleguas-Arnold complex, and Anaheim soils [4].

Taxonomy and Genetics

Chaparral nolina is in Ruscaceae family [1].

Life History Demography

A perennial shrub. Mature rosettes have 30-90 stiff, sword-like leaves 0.5-1.4m long; flower stalk (cream to white flowers) up to 3.1m tall [2].

Seasonal Phenology

Blooms May-July [1].

Pollination Seed Dispersal

No information.

Threats

Threats include urban development, agriculture, road construction, and recreational activities [1]. Declining in Pala region due to land clearance for orchards and large residential yards, and in foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains from residential development [4]. Throughout most of range threatened by residential and commercial land development [2]. Additional threats include cumulative habitat degradation due to increased fire frequency and invasive plants.

Special Considerations:

Special considerations: Little known beyond botanical description, geographic distribution, and soil associations.

Literature Sources

[1] CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2014. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. Website http://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 17 June 2014].

[2] Hess, W. J. and J. C. Dice. 1995. Nolina cismontana (Nolinaceae), a new species name for an old taxon. Novon 5:162-164.

[3] MSP-MOM. 2014. Management Strategic Plan Master Occurrence Matrix. http://sdmmp.com/reports_and_products/Reports_Products_MainPage.aspx

[4] Reiser, C.H. 1994. Rare Plants of San Diego County. Aquafir Press, Imperial Beach, CA. Available online: http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/rareplants/