Sidalcea oregana var. calva
Castilleja levisecta

Sidalcea oregana var. calva

Ms. Tara Goldsmith's thesis, completed in 2003, examined potential threats to the persistence and population growth of Sidalcea oregana var. calva, the Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow.

Ms. Goldsmith studied: 1) which insects pollinate the taxon, and how hand pollination compares to insect pollination in terms of fruit/seed set; 2) pre-dispersal seed-eating weevils, their impact, and the extent of their infestation; and 3) the effect prescribed fire has on SIORCA individuals and surrounding vegetation composition.

Sidalcea oregana var. calva

Ms. Goldsmith found considerable seed predation and a specialized pollinator. She recommends that management consider occasional reduction of the predator load.