Executive summary – Recovery strategy for the Nodding Pogonia (Triphora trianthophora) in Ontario

Prepared by Judith Jones, Jarmo Jalava and John Ambrose

Nodding Pogonia (Triphora trianthophora) is designated as endangered under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) and the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). This species is a small orchid with a 5 to 31 cm purplish-green stalk, round leaves clasping the upper stem, and usually three greenish-white flowers. The plants acquire nutrients from a symbiotic fungus associated with its roots, and thus only appear above ground when conditions are favourable for flowering. They may be completely absent for a number of years, appearing dormant. However, the plants can be growing underground. The maximum period without flowering is not known.

In Canada, Nodding Pogonia is restricted to two locations in Ontario: Rondeau Provincial Park and Three Birds Woodlot (Essex County). At Rondeau more than 96 plants were present in 2011. Plants have not been seen at Three Birds Woodlot since 1987, but there have only been three partial surveys there in 26 years. The population is considered extant. Trend analysis is difficult due to large fluctuations in numbers of above-ground stems from year to year. In Ontario, the species grows in shady, moist beech-maple woods in small depressions with deep leaf litter and humus.

Current threats to Nodding Pogonia include: (1) disruptions of the mycorrhizal fungal association by earthworms, other invasive species such as Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) or Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), or potentially from air pollution; (2) degradation or loss of habitat from beech bark disease, forest management, or changes in drainage; and (3) grazing by White-tailed Deer, slugs or other animals. Potential threats and natural limitations are also discussed in the text.

The recovery goal is to maintain the extant populations of Nodding Pogonia in their current condition or better and to assist these populations over the long-term to become self-sustaining and viable. The recovery objectives are to:

  • determine the current distribution and abundance of Nodding Pogonia populations in Ontario by 2022;
  • assess threats to the species and its habitat by 2017 and address threats by 2019;
  • fill knowledge gaps relating to the biology, ecology, habitat, and threats of Nodding Pogonia in Ontario by 2017;
  • develop and implement a monitoring strategy to be used to help fulfill objectives 1 to 3 by 2015; and
  • use a variety of tools to protect and maintain habitat of known populations by 2017.

It is recommended that the area to be considered for habitat regulation include:

  1. all areas known to be occupied or formerly occupied by the species since 1950 unless they meet the criteria for lack of occupancy;
  2. previously unknown areas where the species becomes discovered from 2012 onward; and
  3. In deciduous forest habitat, a radial distance of 200 m around patches of Nodding Pogonia. If non-forested vegetation falls within the 200 m radius circle, it is recommended all of the forested area be included plus up to 30 m of unforested vegetation to a maximum distance of 200 m from the plants.

It is recommended that pre-existing human infrastructure such as roads, railway tracks, parking lots, agricultural crops, etc. should not be included in regulated habitat.