Michx.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149813
Element CodePDCPR070C0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderDipsacales
FamilyViburnaceae
GenusViburnum
Other Common Namessoftleaf arrowwood (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 Date2024-02-07
Change Date2024-01-04
Edition Date2024-02-15
Edition AuthorsSE Ranking Workshop (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsViburnum molle is a perennial shrub known from forested, rocky slopes in a scattered range through eight states in the midwestern and southeastern United States. There are at least 67 extant occurrences known, though long-term population declines are likely 30-50%. While rangewide threats are not fully documented, primary threats appear to be development, invasive species, recreation, and deer herbivory. There is concern about a lack of recruitment. 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 species.
Range Extent CommentsViburnum molle has a scattered, discontinuous range in the midwestern and southeastern United States from southwest Ohio, north central Indiana, west central Illinois, and southeast Iowa south to south central Tennessee and northwest Arkansas, including Kentucky and southern Missouri, and disjunct to southwest Iowa (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2023).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimen data, photo-based observation data, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between the years of 1993 and 2023, it is estimated that there are 67 extant occurrences known, excluding three occurrences that were failed to find and two occurrences considered historical (iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2023, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsViburnum molle is threatened by development, invasive species (including Lonicera japonica, L. mackii, Alliaria petiolata, Rosa multiflora, Eleagnus umbellata, Euonymous fortunei, and E. alata), recreation (especially off-road vehicles), and deer browse, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand rangewide scope and severity of threats for this species. Many occurrences in Kentucky note the absence of recruitment, which may be due to seed predation or small population size.