History

Johnston's frankenia was designated an Endangered species in 1984. The species has this status wherever found. It is unlawful to possess any part of the plant in the United States. At last count only 1500 plants were know from seven sites in Texas.

Johnston's frankenia's life cycle is perennial. It does not have any known means of vegetative reproduction. It is a faculative outbreeder. Its mode of reproduction is sexual, by using pollen-ovule ratios. Currently there are no known pollenators of Johnston's frankenia.

Johnston's frankenia is threatened by evolutionary characteristics and habitat modification. All of its sites are, or have been grazed by cattle. This heavy grazing leads to habitat destruction. There is also heavy predation by moth larvae. If frankenia is not destroyed by cultivation, it may be weeded out by buffelgrass.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has a recovery plan in effect for Johnston's frankenia. It was to be completed by December of 1987. The plan is to work with land owners, fence off know populations, and identify habitat for the species.