Rhododendron vaseyi
Gray
Pink-shell Azalea
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
LowThreat Impact
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Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.142664
Element CodePDERI150T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
Other Common Names
pinkshell azalea (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.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2018-02-07
Change Date1990-03-20
Edition Date2018-02-07
Edition AuthorsMansberg, L., rev. D. Gries (1998), rev. Treher (2018)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
A narrow endemic, Rhododendron vaseyi is restricted to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Known from fewer than 50 occurrences and from 11 historic occurrences which might be extirpated. The plant is threatened by development in the mountains, plant collecting, and the damming of mountain streams but these threats appear to be low.
Range Extent Comments
Rhododendron vaseyi is a North Carolina endemic occurring in the Blue Ridge Mountains at high elevations, above 3000 feet. In many counties from Ashe, south to Transylvania and Macon Counties. Approaching very close to South Carolina and Georgia in the vicinity of Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina. Occurs primarily southwest of the Asheville Basin, but is found at scattered locations farther north and is locally abundant on Grandfather Mountain (at the junction of Avery, Watauga, and Caldwell Counties), its northernmost outpost (Weakley, 1997). Reported from Rabun Bald in Rabun County, Georgia but not vouchered or solidly confirmed to be present.
Range extent is calculated at 3,700 sq km when historic occurrences are excluded (these could be extirpated) and when they are included in the calculations, range extent is 5,190 sq km.
Range extent is calculated at 3,700 sq km when historic occurrences are excluded (these could be extirpated) and when they are included in the calculations, range extent is 5,190 sq km.
Occurrences Comments
Depending on how occurrences are delimited, there are between 19 and 48 occurrences.
Threat Impact Comments
This species is threatened by development in the mountains, digging by nurseries and amateur gardeners, woody encroachment, and damming of small mountain streams. Logging may be a threat in some places but it may also boost recruitment for the species.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Shallowly rooted in moist to wet, acidic, fern-dappled substrates. Occurs on rocky summits, heath balds, steep slopes in deciduous or coniferous forests and at springy sites along mountain streams or in mountain bogs (FNA 2009). Overstory may contain Tsuga, Pinus strobus, Picea, mixed with Acer rubrum and other maples, Aesculus, Quercus rubra, Tilia. Understory is mostly heath, being various species of Rhododendron, mostly R. maximum, Leucothoe editorum, Vaccinium, etc., Sambucus, Viburnum (mostly V. cassinoides), etc. (Kral no date). At high elevations (>3000 ft.) in Blue Ridge Mountains.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/Woodland
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLANDBog/fen
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | S3 | Yes |
| Connecticut | SNA | No |
| Massachusetts | SNA | No |
Threat Assessments
| Threat | Scope | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Residential & commercial development | Small (1-10%) | Extreme - moderate | High (continuing) |
| 5 - Biological resource use | Restricted (11-30%) | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plants | Large - small | Slight or 1-10% pop. decline | High (continuing) |
| 5.3 - Logging & wood harvesting | Restricted (11-30%) | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 7 - Natural system modifications | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 7.2 - Dams & water management/use | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
| 7.2.9 - Small Dams | Unknown | Unknown | High (continuing) |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, Long-lived, DECIDUOUS
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (9)
North Carolina (9)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bearwallow | Pisgah National Forest | 4,113 |
| Graveyard Ridge (addition) | Pisgah National Forest | 1,958 |
| Jarrett Creek | Pisgah National Forest | 7,485 |
| Laurel Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 5,683 |
| Lost Cove | Pisgah National Forest | 5,944 |
| Middle Prong Addition | Pisgah National Forest | 1,852 |
| Sam Knob (addition) | Pisgah National Forest | 2,576 |
| South Mills River | Pisgah National Forest | 8,588 |
| Wesser Bald | Nantahala National Forest | 4,061 |
References (5)
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2009. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 8. Magnoliophyta: Paeoniaceae to Ericaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 585 pp.
- 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.
- Kral, R. Not Dated. Paper 227, Rhododendron vaseyi Gray. Unpublished report.
- 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.
- Weakley, A.S. 1997. Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia: working draft of 21 July 1997. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Southern Conservation Science Dept., Chapel Hill, North Carolina.