Rough Popcornflower ESA Reclassification (Plagiobothrys hirtus)

Current understanding

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the rough popcornflower (Plagiobothrys hirtus), a plant endemic to Douglas County, Oregon, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act based on improved species status. The final action includes a Section 4(d) rule tailoring take prohibitions and protective regulations for the reclassified species. Section 7 consultation requirements continue to apply, but the 4(d) rule modifies which Section 9 prohibitions carry over.

Evidence log

• 2026-07-17 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Razorback Sucker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule: cross-connection with razorback-sucker-esa-reclassification: Both are contemporaneous FWS downlisting actions (endangered→threatened) paired with 4(d) rules, illustrating an ESA reclassification pattern based on recovery progress. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-19 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Rough Popcornflower From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule: cross-connection with northeastern-bulrush-esa-delisting: Both are 2025 USFWS status-improvement actions for listed plants — bulrush fully delisted, popcornflower downlisted to threatened with a 4(d) rule — reflecting a cluster of recovery-based ESA administrative actions. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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