Beginning in 2009, IAE, in cooperation with the Medford BLM,
has been conducting a fire ecology experiment in Jackson County in order to
create a better understanding of the effects that fire has on the growth and
reproduction of Parish’s horse-nettle (Solanum
parishii). Prior to this study, very
little experimental research had been conducted looking specifically at this species' response to periodic
burning. Controlled burning was conducted on two BLM
locations, Hukill Hollow and Woodrat Mountain, with known populations of Parish’s
horse-nettle. Fire suppression has occurred in the area
since the beginning of the 20th century when much of the native grassland and
oak savannah landscape was converted into pasture and urban space. However, it is possible that recruitment and
survival of S. parishii, along with
several other natives could benefit from
periodic natural disturbance. 
Parish's horse-nettle is
a small perennial in the Solanaceae (potato) family found in dry chaparral
communities. Its native habitat ranges
from southern Oregon into Baja California at elevations of less than 2000 feet. Approximately thirty populations have been
documented within the Medford BLM district occurring in Jackson, Josephine, and
Curry counties. In mid-summer the plant
produces umbel-like infloresences with white to purple flowers. After fertilization, the plant produces
berries that change from green to purple in color. Individuals measure less than one meter in
height and grow in a branching formation.
The lanceolate leaves exhibit wavy margins and measure between 2 and 7
centimeters long.
In 2009, IAE established 40 sample plots at two locations
outside Jacksonville, each plot measuring 3 meters by 6 meters. Half of the plots were assigned to receive a
burn treatment and half were left alone to be control plots. All S.
parishii plants located within the plots were mapped and measured to
establish baseline population data. Data
collected included the maximum and perpendicular widths of the plant, the total number of
fruits and flowers, and the presence or absence of insect and mammal
herbivory. Controlled burns were
conducted in the fall of 2010 and annual monitoring has continued through this year. Based on 2011 data, there was no evidence of
fire effects on reproductive effort (calculated by the sum of fruits and
flowers within the population). However,
one of the two sites did exhibit an increase in the mean size of S. parishii plants within burn
treatment plots. Both sites appeared to
experience a high level of mammal herbivory.
The
final data analysis conducted this year will provide valuable information about whether
periodic controlled burning is an effective management tool in areas that host
Parish’s horse-nettle populations.
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| Demography plot markers at Hukill Hollow |
 |
| View from Woodrat Mountain |
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