Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.144213
Element CodePMLIL0F010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyMelanthiaceae
GenusChamaelirium
Other Common NamesChamélire jaunissant (FR) fairywand (EN) Fairywand (EN) False Unicorn Root (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 Date2023-09-21
Change Date2023-09-21
Edition Date2023-09-21
Edition AuthorsMcConnell, K. (2002), rev. Troy W. Weldy (2004), rev. C. Nordman (2023).
Threat ImpactMedium - low
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsChamaelirium luteum occurs in eastern North America from from Massachusetts west to Ohio and Arkansas, and south to Louisiana and Florida. It is relatively rare in the northern portion of the range and more common in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. It grows in a variety of habitats, including moist slopes, bottomlands, wet savannas, and open calcareous wet meadows, dry woods, barrens, and bluffs; more rare the eastern coastal plain. Roots of this slow-growing species are commercially available, and although this species is modestly traded for medicinal use, a majority (90%) of that supply of roots is wild-collected. It is also threatened by development, clearcutting and shelterwood cutting in mesic areas, and hydrological change.
Range Extent CommentsChamaelirium luteum occurs in eastern North America, from Massachusetts west to Ohio and Arkansas, and south to Louisiana and Florida, it is considered extirpated from Ontario and from Canada. It is relatively rare in the northern portion of the range and more common in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. Range extent was estimated to be 1.4 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023 (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, SEINet 2023).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023, it is estimated that there are at least 700 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, SEINet 2023).
Threat Impact CommentsCurrently there is demand for wild-collected seeds. This may imply that there is an interest in cultivation, since the roots are used medicinally. However, medicinal use probably poses a minimal threat to this species. Some experts in the medicinal plant industry have suggested that trade is medium to large and demand has increased over the past ten years (Robbins 1999). However, the recent level of demand is "steady and very modest" according to Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (pers. comm., December 2000). For example, only 10 permits to collect a total of 500 pounds in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina have been issued in the last three years (pers. com. G. Kauffman, November 2000). Estimated average annual use in medicinal industry ranges from 2000-3000 dry pounds and 90% of that total is collected from wild populations (pers. comm. E. Fletcher, December 2000). This is a slow growing plant, so over-collection is a potential threat, given a significant increase in demand. Clearcutting and shelterwood cutting in mesic areas threaten this species (D. White, pers. comm. November 2000), as would development of suitable habitat.