Taxon Report

Downingia concolor Greene var. brevior McVaugh

Cuyamaca Lake downingia

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Downingia concolor var. brevior, commonly known as Cuyamaca Lake downingia, is a annual herb in the Campanulaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Meadows and seeps (vernally mesic), and Vernal pools, growing at elevations from 1380 to 1500 meters. Downingia concolor var. brevior is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Downingia concolor Greene var. brevior McVaugh
Common Name:
Cuyamaca Lake downingia
Family: Campanulaceae
Element Code: PDCAM06041
USDA Plants Symbol: DOCOB
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul May-Jul
Elevation: 1380-1500 (4530-4920)
General Habitats: Meadows and seeps, Vernal pools
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 1
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cuyamaca Peak (3211685), Julian (3311615), Warners Ranch (3311626)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 12
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 75 %
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 2 50%
Development 2 50%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 2 50%
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 50%
Foot traffic/trampling 2 50%
Grazing 2 50%
ORV activity 1 25%
Surface water diversion 1 25%
Vandalism/dumping/litter 1 25%
Erosion/runoff 1 25%
Biocides 1 25%
Dam/Inundation 1 25%

Notes

Known from fewer than 5 occurrences in the Cuyamaca Lake area. Threatened by development, altered hydrology, grazing, and recreation. Habitat restoration and seed introduction occurred in 1994; conservation activities occurring as of 1997. See Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club 19(4):1-57 (1941) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 6 July 2025].