Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.147201
Element CodePMAGA08020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderAsparagales
FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusNolina
Other Common NamesFlorida beargrass (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-08
Change Date1993-06-01
Edition Date2025-04-08
Edition AuthorsHardin, D. (1985), rev. C. Russell; rev. D.L. White (1988), rev. C. Nordman (2025).
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsFlorida Bear-grass (Nolina atopocarpa) occurs in the southeastern United States, and it is endemic to Florida. It occurs in the central Florida Panhandle in Liberty, Franklin, and Wakulla counties, and in the Florida Peninsula in Brevard, Charlotte, Highlands, Lee, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. It is estimated that there are about 75 occurrences rangewide, and the total number of plants is likely less than 10,000. Nolina atopocarpa is threatened by loss of habitat due to development and urbanization, and it is vulnerable to certain intensive site preparation methods for forest management and lack of fire due to long-term fire suppression. It occurs in the central Florida Panhandle on Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, and Tate's Hell State Forest and Wildlife Management Area, and in the Florida Peninsula on Fred C. Babcock-Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, Yucca Pens Unit State Wildlife Management Area, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park, Jordan Scrub Sanctuary, Malabar Scrub Sanctuary, and other conservation lands.
Range Extent CommentsFlorida Bear-grass (Nolina atopocarpa) occurs in the southeastern United States, and it is endemic to Florida. It occurs in the central Florida Panhandle in Liberty, Franklin, and Wakulla counties, and in the Florida Peninsula in Brevard, Charlotte, Highlands, Lee, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, St. Johns, and Volusia counties (Clewell 1985, Wunderlin 1998, FNA 2002, FNAI 2025, Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be 92500 square kilometers, using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are about 75 occurrences of Florida Bear-grass rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsFlorida Bear-grass (Nolina atopocarpa) is threatened by the loss of habitat with development and urbanization, and it is vulnerable to certain intensive forestry site preparation methods (such as root raking, bedding, bulldozing, drainage, deep or double chop) and lack of fire with long-term fire suppression. Invasive exotic plants have been documented at some occurrences, and may become an increasing threat (Kral 1983, FNAI 2025).