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Taenidia montana

(Mackenzie) Cronq.

Mountain Parsley

G3Vulnerable Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132507
Element CodePDAPI26020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderApiales
FamilyApiaceae
GenusTaenidia
Synonyms
Pseudotaenidia montanaMackenzie
Other Common Names
mountain pimpernel (EN) Mountain-pimpernel (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
Formerly placed in the monotypic genus Pseudotaenidia.
Conservation Status
Review Date2003-01-26
Change Date2003-01-26
Edition Date2003-01-26
Edition AuthorsWalton, D. (1996), West Virginia Heritage Program, Elkins, WV 26241-0067 (304) 637-0245. Originally by M. Ormes (1983). Rev. L. Morse (1994, 2003).
Range Extent250-20,000 square km (about 100-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Narrow range in central Appalachians, where habitat-specific (associated with shale barrens). Appears to be stable, but often in low numbers.
Range Extent Comments
Essentially a shale barrens endemic. Found in mountains of Ridge and Valley region of southern Pennsyvania, Maryland, W. Virginia, and Virginia.
Occurrences Comments
Estimated about 80-100 rangewide, with 4+ EOs in MD, 4 in PA. Also listed in several counties in VA and WV.
Threat Impact Comments
Powerline spraying, erosion, and trampling are perceived threats to this plant. Exotics and grazing have also been mentioned as potential threats (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves trifoliate and twice compound; leaflets entire, ovate to oblong or elliptic; flowers yellow; fruit dorsally flattened and winged; anise scented. Could be confused with T. integerrima which has wingless fruits and has a celery-like odor (Gleason and Cronquist, 1991).

Habitat

Shale barrens (calcareous) and mesic and xeric open woods or dense hardwood forests; slopes 8-15% to steep; filtered light; elevation 480-1568 ft. Associated with Bouteloua curtipendula, Cornus florida, Quercus prinus, Q. rubra, Solidago bicolor, and Viburnum acerifolium.

Ecology

MD -- Taenidia montana is found on the upper edge of barrens, shale outcrops, limestone outcrops and steep slopes. The soils are shallow to deep and may be stony and/or loamy. Noted aspects are western and southeastern. The sites are dry limestone woods, open woods, dense hardwood forests and scattered hardwood and coniferous forests. Associated plants include Bouteloua curtipendula and Quercus prinus.

PA -- Occurrences of this species are on shale barrens, the upper edge of shale slopes, and argillaceous slopes. These slopes are often steep. Soils are shaley clay with sandstone inclusions. Sheer formation is present. The sites may be wooded with sparse undergrowth; Quercus alba is in the overstory. Aspects are WSW and WNW. Associated plant species include Antennaria sp., Cornus florida, Pinus virginiana, Quercus rubra, Smilax sp., Solidago bicolor, and Viburnum acerifolium.

VA -- Calcareous shale barrens; limestone; rock outcrops; open woods.

WV -- Calcareous shale barrens; limestone; rock outcrops; narrow ridges; open woods.

Reproduction

Reproduction is sexual.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
MarylandS2Yes
VirginiaS3Yes
West VirginiaS2Yes
PennsylvaniaS1Yes
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (2)
Virginia (1)
AreaForestAcres
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
West Virginia (1)
AreaForestAcres
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
References (12)
  1. Core, E. L. 1952. The ranges of some plants of the Appalachian shale barrens. Castanea 17:105-116.
  2. Cronquist, A. 1982. Reduction of <i>Pseudotaenidia </i>to <i>Taenidia </i>(Apiaceae). Brittonia 34:365-367.
  3. Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 910 pp.
  4. 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.
  5. Keener, C.S. 1983. Distribution and biohistory of the endemic flora of the mid-Appalachian shale barrens. Botanical Review 49(1):65-115.
  6. MacKenzie, K.K. 1903. A new genus of North American Umbelliferae. Torreya 3: 159-159.
  7. Morse, Larry E. Personal Communication. North American Botanist, NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Formerly Chief Botanist, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  8. Smith, C.P. 1924. <i>Pseudotaenidia</i> in Maryland. Rhodora 26(301):23-24.
  9. 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.
  10. Strausbaugh, P.D., and E.L. Core. 1978. Flora of West Virginia. Seneca Books, Inc., Grantsville, WV. 1079 pp.
  11. Wherry, E.T. 1937. Castanea 2:2.
  12. Wherry, E.T. 1952. Shale-barren plants on other geological formations. Castanea 18:64-65.