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Liatris helleri

Porter

Heller's Blazingstar

G2Imperiled (G2Q) Found in 11 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.135782
Element CodePDAST5X0D0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusLiatris
Other Common Names
Heller's blazing star (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
The treatment followed by Kartesz (1994 and 1999) accepts Liatris helleri as a taxon distinct from L. turgida, which is accepted as distinct, and L. graminifolia, which is included in L. pilosa and L. virgata. The FNA (Vol 21, 2006) treatment includes L. turgida and L. graminifolia (in part?) in L. helleri. Progress is being made in determining the species boundaries between these species. A 2019 paper reports that 17 microsatellites were developed for future use in determining circumscriptions between L. helleri and L. turgida (Clark et al.).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2012-03-13
Change Date2012-03-29
Edition Date2012-03-13
Edition AuthorsJ.L. Amoroso (1996), rev. C. Nordman (2012)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Endemic to summits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. There are 21 extant occurrences, with about 3,000 individuals in total. Several occurrences have been showing serious declines due in part to heavy recreational use of the rocky cliffs where they grow. To augment the populations, volunteers have planted nearly 3,000 seedlings, grown from seeds collected from the wild populations. Also, new overlook and trail facilities have been designed to avoid the plants. Q following the numeric global rank indicates taxonomic questions.
Range Extent Comments
North Carolina (Blue Ridge) endemic.
Occurrences Comments
Approximately 27 extant occurrences (EO data in the NatureServe central database as of February 2012).
Threat Impact Comments
The limited distribution of this species makes it especially vulnerable to human disturbance (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002). Threats include residential and commercial development, tourism and recreation activities, conversion of habitat to other uses, airborne pollutants, climate change and severe droughts.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Shallow, acidic soils that form on and around exposed granite ledges, outcrops, and balds at high elevations. In full sun with grasses, sedges, and other composites.
Terrestrial Habitats
BarrensBare rock/talus/screeCliff
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
North CarolinaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentSmall (1-10%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areasSmall (1-10%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.3 - Tourism & recreation areasSmall (1-10%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceRestricted (11-30%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesRestricted (11-30%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineModerate - low
9.5 - Air-borne pollutantsLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineModerate - low
11 - Climate change & severe weatherRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineLow (long-term)
11.2 - DroughtsRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineLow (long-term)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (11)
North Carolina (7)
AreaForestAcres
Dobson KnobPisgah National Forest6,111
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Virginia (3)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Little AlleghanyGeorge Washington National Forest10,215
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
West Virginia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Little Allegheny MountainMonongahela National Forest10,514
References (10)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2006c. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 21. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 8: Asteraceae, part 3. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 616 pp.
  2. Gaiser, L.O. 1946. The Genus Liatris. Rhodora 48: 168. Online. Available: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14518
  3. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  4. Kral, R. 1983c. A report on some rare, threatened, or endangered forest-related vascular plants of the South. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service Technical Publication R8-TP2, Athens, GA. 1305 pp.
  5. Nesom, G. 2005. Broadened concept of <i>Liatris helleri </i>(Asteraceae: Eupatorieae). Sida 21(3):1323-1333.2005.
  6. Nesom, G. L. 2006. <i>Liatris</i>. Pages 512-535 in: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editor. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol. 21. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae (in part): Asteraceae part 3. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.
  7. Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project. 2002. A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service-Region 8, Natural Heritage Programs in the Southeast, NatureServe, and independent scientists to develop and review data on 1300+ regionally and locally rare species in the Southern Appalachian and Alabama region. Database (Access 97) provided to the U.S. Forest Service by NatureServe, Durham, North Carolina.
  8. Sutter, R.D., V. Frantz, and K.A. McCarthy. 1988. Atlas of rare and endangered plant species in North Carolina. North Carolina Dept. Agriculture, Plant Protection Section, Conservation Program, Raleigh, North Carolina. 174 pp.
  9. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1987. Determination of threatened status for <i>Liatris helleri</i>. Federal Register 52(223): 44397-44401.
  10. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1999. Recovery Plan for <i>Liatris helleri</i> Porter (Heller's Blazing Star). First Revision. Atlanta, GA. 25 pp. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/000128.pdf