Camatta Canyon amole Hooveria purpurea var. reducta (Agavaceae): a Threatened Plant in La Panza Range, San Luis Obispo County, California

Abstract. Camatta Canyon amole Hooveria purpurea var. reducta (Agavaceae) is a bulbous, perennial plant known from four occurrences in La Panza Range and adjacent hills in central San Luis Obispo County, California. The species H. [Chlorogalum] purpurea was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2000. As currently known, Camatta Canyon amole is narrowly distributed, with a geographic range of 3.05 km2 and area of occupancy >36.47 ha, of which 21.15 ha are on Los Padres National Forest. Based upon preliminary search on a nearby private property, Camatta Canyon amole likely has greater distribution and abundance here than on national forest. Our data suggest the number of plants where monitored on Red Hill Ridge on national forest has declined since the 1980's and 1990's. In 2021, the primary threats are invasive plants, climate change including severe drought and increased temperatures, and road maintenance and vehicles in the right-of-way of St. Hwy. 58. We suspect that targeted cattle grazing, and if not practicable then light cattle grazing, would likely benefit Camatta Canyon amole by reducing invasive plants and thatch. Using all available information and international standards, Camatta Canyon amole in 2021 meets IUCN criteria for the data deficient category, which is due to lack of data for distribution and abundance on private properties.