L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.130632
Element CodePDROS1Q0D0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusSpiraea
Other Common NamesHardhack (EN) Hardhack Spiraea (EN) Spirée tomenteuse (FR) steeplebush (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 Date2025-01-29
Change Date1983-10-11
Edition Date2025-01-29
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSpiraea tomentosa is a perennial shrub found in wetlands, bogs, fens, meadows, and woodlands of eastern North America from Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia and Louisiana, north to Kansas and Minnesota, and disjunct in Oregon. It is also introduced in Europe. There are over 4,000 estimated occurrences of this species, which are likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, drought, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, a high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Spiraea tomentosa is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsThe native range of Spiraea tomentosa is in eastern North America from Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia and Louisiana, north to Kansas and Minnesota, and disjunct in Oregon (FNA 2014). It is considered historical in Mississippi (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). This species also occurs as an introduced taxon in Europe (FNA 2014, POWO 2025). The native range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 and published distribution maps (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, SEINet 2025, FNA 2014, POWO 2025). See individual entries for distribution details about the two varieties.
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 more than 4,000 occurrences in its native range (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Spiraea tomentosa is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, drought, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.