Phil.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.157528
Element CodePDPGN0P0T2
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusProvisional
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPolygonales
FamilyPolygonaceae
GenusRumex
SynonymsRumex maritimus ssp. fueginus(Phil.) HulténRumex maritimus var. fueginus(Phil.) DusenRumex persicarioides var. fueginus(Phil.) A. Haines
Other Common NamesPatience de la Terre de Feu (FR)
Concept ReferenceFlora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2005. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 5. Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae: Caryophyllales, Polygonales, and Plumbaginales. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. vii + 656 pp.
Taxonomic CommentsMost North American specimens of Rumex maritimus are really Rumex fueginus. True Rumex maritimus is native to Europe and Asia, and only an infrequent non-native in North America. Some specimens keyed as Rumex may actually present Rumex pericarioides. Kartesz (1994, 1999) treats R. fueginus and R. persicarioides as indistinct from R. maritimus.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-09
Change Date2015-06-30
Edition Date2025-06-09
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 ReasonsRumex fueginus is an annual or biennial forb occurring in riparian habitats, shores, marshes (including saline), bogs, wet meadows, disturbed habitats, and dry streambeds globally, in North America, as well as southern and high elevations of South America, and it is introduced in Europe. There are over 300 estimated occurrences of this taxon, though the name R. persicarioides has been often applied to this taxon, and the reliability of interpreting concepts based on determinations of herbarium records is problematic. Potential threats include development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, recreational activities, invasive species, herbivory, succession, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Rumex fueginus is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsRumex fueginus occurs globally, in North America as well as, southern and high elevations of South America, and it is introduced in Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) (FNA 2005, POWO 2025). In North America, it occurs from Alaska and Nova Scotia south to Kentucky and California in the United States and Canada (FNA 2005). The native range extent was estimated to be over 26 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
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 300 occurrences in its native range (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). However, the reliability of interpreting concepts based on determinations of herbarium records is problematic due to the various taxonomic treatments in the Rumex fueginus complex, as the name R. persicarioides has been applied to this taxon (FNA 2005). In addition, specimens of R. fueginus closely resemble R. maritimus, and are they often misidentified.
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Rumex fueginus is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025).