Home/Species/ Northern Moonwort

Botrychium pinnatum

St. John

Northern Moonwort

G5Secure Found in 17 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146224

Element CodePPOPH010V0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomPlantae

PhylumFilicinophyta

ClassOphioglossopsida

OrderOphioglossales

FamilyOphioglossaceae

GenusBotrychium

Synonyms

Botrychium boreale ssp. obtusilobum(Rupr.) Clausen

Other Common Names

Botryche à lobes obtus (FR) Northwestern Moonwort (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 MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2016-09-01

Change Date2016-09-01

Edition Date1998-05-20

Edition AuthorsGRIES, D

Rank Reasons

Botrychium pinnatum is known from Alaska and the Yukon, south to California, Arizona, and Colorado. Although its range is extensive, it is rare and local over almost its entire range; in Idaho, it is known from only six occurrences and in California, only two occurrences.

Range Extent Comments

Known from Alaska and the Yukon, south into the mountains of northeastern Oregon, northern Idaho (Idaho Native Plant Society, 1993), northern Nevada (Kartesz, 1988) and Montana, California (Skinner, 1997), and Colorado (Archuleta, Conejos, Hinsdale, Mineral, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, San Miguel, and Summit counties).
.

Occurrences Comments

In Idaho, known from six occurrences (Idaho Native Plant Society, 1993). In California, known from two occurrences (Skinner, 1997).

There are 10 principal occurrences documented in the Colorado Natural Heritage Program data system. All of the 10 occurrences have been observed in the last 20 years.

Threat Impact Comments

Threats to Botrychium pinnatum are not well understood. Because this species occurs in both naturally and artificially disturbed sites, it may be displaced by natural plant succession as well as the same human activities (recreation, road and trail maintenance activities, selection of grazing areas) that have also apparently resulted in suitable habitat. Agriculture and forestry activities may also threaten this species in some areas. Strategies for the protection of this species include determining its specific habitat requirements and its sensitivity to disturbance. Long term monitoring would help to determine its life history characteristics, population stability, and dynamics over time.

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

A variety of habitats including wet to moist grassy slopes, streambanks, roadsides and in mossy woods, generally in the mountains (Idaho Native Plant Society 1993).

Other Nations (2)

CanadaN5

Province	Rank	Native
British Columbia	S5	Yes
Northwest Territories	SH	Yes
Yukon Territory	S3	Yes
Island of Newfoundland	SH	Yes
Alberta	S4	Yes
Quebec	S2	Yes

United StatesNNR

Province	Rank	Native
Wyoming	S1	Yes
Colorado	S2	Yes
Alaska	SNR	Yes
California	S1	Yes
Utah	S1	Yes
Washington	S3	Yes
Montana	S3	Yes
Nevada	S1	Yes
Arizona	S1	Yes
Idaho	S2	Yes
Oregon	S3	Yes

Plant Characteristics

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (17)

Alaska (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Roaded Donut	Chugach National Forest	968
Thorne River	Tongass National Forest	72,983

Montana (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Ten Lakes #683	Kootenai National Forest	48,545
West Fork Yaak #694	Kootenai National Forest	8,237

New Mexico (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Pecos	Carson National Forest	13,436
Pecos WS River	Santa Fe National Forest	5,396

Oregon (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Homestead	Wallowa-Whitman National Forest	5,817
Lake Fork	Wallowa-Whitman National Forest	21,936

Washington (9)

Area	Forest	Acres
Glacier Peak K	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	47,269
Glacier Peak L	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	14,084
Granite Mountain	Okanogan National Forest	27,428
Grassy Top	Idaho Panhandle National Forests	13,485
Long Draw	Okanogan National Forest	3,922
Long Swamp	Okanogan National Forest	66,344
Mt. Baker North	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	16,873
Pasayten Rim	Okanogan National Forest	17,074
Tiffany	Okanogan National Forest	22,045

References (4)

Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, and D. Meidinger. 1989. The vascular plants of British Columbia. Part 1. Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons (Asteraceae through Cucurbitaceae). Crown Publications Incorporated. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. 208 pp.
Idaho Native Plant Society. 1993. Federal candidate (C1 and C2) and listed rare plants of Idaho. unpaginated.
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.
Skinner, M.W., and B.M. Pavlik, eds. 1997 (1994). Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 1997 Electronic Inventory Update of 1994 5th edition, California Native Plant Society, Special Publication No. 1, Sacramento.