Fern.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148193
Element CodePDGEN060K0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderGentianales
FamilyGentianaceae
GenusGentiana
SynonymsDasystephana tenuifolia(Raf.) Pennell
Other Common Nameswiregrass gentian (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.
Taxonomic CommentsWhen the species Dasystephana tenuifolia (Raf.) Pennell was transferred to Gentiana, the epithet tenuifolia was previously occupied so Fernald (1940) published Gentiana pennelliana "in recognition of Dr. Francis W. Pennell who in 1919 clearly established the specific distinctness."
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-07
Change Date1991-05-23
Edition Date2025-04-07
Edition AuthorsWhite, D.L. (1991), rev. Soteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactHigh - medium
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsGentiana pennelliana is a perennial herb in sandy peat of moist to wet, open, wiregrass-dominated prairies, pineland savannas, flatwoods, and ecotonal seepage slopes endemic to the southeastern United States in the Florida Panhandle. It is intolerant of shade and is fire adapted, requiring a two to three year fire interval with most fires in the early part of the growing season to promote flowering. There are an estimated 61 occurrences which face threats from development, conversion of pine flatwoods to slash pine plantations, fire suppression, rights-of-way maintenance, recreational activities, and invasive species. Long-term declines may be as high as 54%. Monitoring of populations should be conducted to improve our understanding of reproduction, plant abundance, threats, and trends, as well as continuing conservation measures to protect the taxon.
Range Extent CommentsGentiana pennelliana is endemic to the southeastern United States in the Florida Panhandle where it can be found in the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington (FNA 2023, FNAI 2023). Range extent was estimated to be 9,172 square kilometers using NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 61 occurrences rangewide, excluding three occurrences that were failed to find in 2011 (NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThis species faces threats from habitat loss and degradation. Loss of habitat may be due to development or conversion of pine flatwoods to slash pine plantations, and the habitat is sensitive to drainage or degradation of the watershed (FNAI 2023). In plantations, G. pennelliana populations are destroyed when sites are mechanically prepared (Kral 1983).
The primary habitat degradation threats are fire suppression and rights-of-way maintenance. Fire suppression is likely to degrade existing habitat, increasing woody plant encroachment and possibly invasive species cover, and resulting in the possible loss of populations (FNAI 2023, NatureServe 2025). At least fourteen occurrences are located within roadside or powerline rights-of-way, and maintenance activities, such as herbicide and mowing, may negatively impact populations; however, mowing outside the flowering period may be beneficial to reduce woody plant encroachment (NatureServe 2025). Additional habitat degradation threats include recreational activities, as one occurrence is located adjacent to a golf course and a second had extensive off-road vehicle damage, invasive species, including black titi (Cliftonia monophylla), and droughts (NatureServe 2025).