Medeola virginiana
L.
Indian Cucumber-root
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Susan Elliott, CC BY-NC 4.0
Ingrid, CC BY-NC 4.0
bkmertz, CC BY-NC 4.0
Seig, CC BY 4.0
Seig, CC BY 4.0
Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.138440
Element CodePMLIL1E010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyLiliaceae
GenusMedeola
Other Common Names
Indian cucumber (EN) Indian Cucumber (EN) Médéole de Virginie (FR)
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 Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-12
Change Date1984-06-08
Edition Date2024-09-12
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Medeola virginiana is a perennial forb occurring in mesic wood understories and on moist slopes of eastern North America from Ontario south to Louisiana, east to Florida, and north to Nova Scotia and Quebec in Canada and the United States. There are over 5,000 occurrences of this species, which are likely threatened by development, succession, invasive species, rights-of-way maintenance, 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, Medeola virginiana is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Medeola virginiana occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario south to Louisiana, east to Florida, and north to Nova Scotia and Quebec in Canada and the United States (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be 2.9 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 5,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, Medeola virginiana is threatened by development, succession, invasive species, rights-of-way maintenance, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Medeola virginiana occurs on moist slopes and mesic woods in forest understories, usually on acidic soils (FNA 2002, Native Plant Trust 2024, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/Woodland
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | SNR | Yes |
| Illinois | S1 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | S5 | Yes |
| West Virginia | S5 | Yes |
| Vermont | S5 | Yes |
| Arkansas | SNR | Yes |
| North Carolina | S5 | Yes |
| Connecticut | SNR | Yes |
| Indiana | SNR | Yes |
| Rhode Island | SNR | Yes |
| Massachusetts | SNR | Yes |
| New Jersey | S4 | Yes |
| Alabama | SNR | Yes |
| Missouri | SH | Yes |
| South Carolina | S5 | Yes |
| Kentucky | S5 | Yes |
| Delaware | S5 | Yes |
| Virginia | SNR | Yes |
| Wisconsin | S4 | Yes |
| Georgia | SNR | Yes |
| Ohio | S5 | Yes |
| Louisiana | S1 | Yes |
| Florida | S1 | Yes |
| Mississippi | S3 | Yes |
| Minnesota | SNR | Yes |
| Michigan | SNR | Yes |
| New Hampshire | SNR | Yes |
| District of Columbia | S5 | Yes |
| Tennessee | SNR | Yes |
| New York | S5 | Yes |
| Maryland | SNR | Yes |
CanadaN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | S5 | Yes |
| Ontario | S5 | Yes |
| Nova Scotia | S5 | Yes |
| Prince Edward Island | S3 | Yes |
| New Brunswick | S5 | Yes |
Threat Assessments
| Threat | Scope | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown/undetermined | — | — | — |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, Short-lived
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (134)
Alabama (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain | Talladega National Forest | 4,986 |
Georgia (13)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Big Mountain | Chattahoochee National Forest | 1,974 |
| Boggs Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 2,073 |
| Cedar Mountain | Chattahoochee National Forest | 1,083 |
| Ellicott Rock Addition | Chattahoochee National Forest | 690 |
| Helton Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 2,348 |
| Indian Grave Gap | Chattahoochee National Forest | 1,020 |
| Kelly Ridge | Chattahoochee National Forest | 8,325 |
| Lance Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 9,025 |
| Miller Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 701 |
| Pink Knob | Chattahoochee National Forest | 12,127 |
| Rocky Mountain | Chattahoochee National Forest | 4,269 |
| Sarah's Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 6,888 |
| Tate Branch | Chattahoochee National Forest | 1,069 |
Kentucky (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfpen | Daniel Boone National Forest | 2,835 |
Maine (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Caribou - Speckled Ext | White Mountain National Forest | 5,988 |
Michigan (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Swamp | Huron-Manistee National Forest | 3,915 |
| Delirium | Hiawatha National Forest | 190 |
New Hampshire (15)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Carr Mountain | White Mountain National Forest | 17,110 |
| Cherry Mountain | White Mountain National Forest | 8,766 |
| Dartmouth Range | White Mountain National Forest | 9,233 |
| Great Gulf Ext. | White Mountain National Forest | 15,110 |
| Jobildunk | White Mountain National Forest | 3,660 |
| Kearsarge | White Mountain National Forest | 4,554 |
| Kilkenny | White Mountain National Forest | 28,766 |
| Kinsman Mountain | White Mountain National Forest | 8,999 |
| Mt. Wolf - Gordon Pond | White Mountain National Forest | 11,846 |
| Pemigewasset | White Mountain National Forest | 32,255 |
| Pemigewasset Ext | White Mountain National Forest | 15,840 |
| Presidential - Dry River Ext | White Mountain National Forest | 10,555 |
| Sandwich Range | White Mountain National Forest | 16,797 |
| Waterville | White Mountain National Forest | 4,312 |
| Wild River | White Mountain National Forest | 46,878 |
North Carolina (27)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bald Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 11,085 |
| Balsam Cone | Pisgah National Forest | 10,591 |
| Bearwallow | Pisgah National Forest | 4,113 |
| Big Indian (addition) | Nantahala National Forest | 1,155 |
| Boteler Peak | Nantahala National Forest | 4,205 |
| Cheoah Bald | Nantahala National Forest | 7,795 |
| Chunky Gal (addition) | Nantahala National Forest | 3,336 |
| Craggy Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 2,657 |
| Graveyard Ridge (addition) | Pisgah National Forest | 1,958 |
| Harper Creek | Pisgah National Forest | 7,325 |
| Jarrett Creek | Pisgah National Forest | 7,485 |
| Laurel Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 5,683 |
| Linville Gorge Addition | Pisgah National Forest | 2,809 |
| Little Indian (addition) | Nantahala National Forest | 640 |
| Lost Cove | Pisgah National Forest | 5,944 |
| Mackey Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 5,934 |
| Middle Prong Addition | Pisgah National Forest | 1,852 |
| Overflow Creek | Nantahala National Forest | 3,379 |
| Sam Knob (addition) | Pisgah National Forest | 2,576 |
| Slide Hollow | Pisgah National Forest | 193 |
| Snowbird | Nantahala National Forest | 8,489 |
| South Mills River | Pisgah National Forest | 8,588 |
| Tusquitee Bald | Nantahala National Forest | 13,670 |
| Wesser Bald | Nantahala National Forest | 4,061 |
| Wilson Creek | Pisgah National Forest | 4,863 |
| Woods Mountain | Pisgah National Forest | 9,602 |
| Yellowhammer Branch (add.) | Nantahala National Forest | 1,255 |
Pennsylvania (5)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Front | Allegheny National Forest | 7,430 |
| Clarion River | Allegheny National Forest | 3,821 |
| Hearts Content | Allegheny National Forest | 221 |
| Minister Valley | Allegheny National Forest | 1,417 |
| Tracy Ridge | Allegheny National Forest | 9,034 |
South Carolina (4)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Cove | Sumter National Forest | 3,025 |
| Big Mountain | Sumter National Forest | 2,337 |
| Ellicott Rock 1 | Sumter National Forest | 301 |
| Ellicott Rock 2 | Sumter National Forest | 517 |
Tennessee (12)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bald Mountain | Cherokee National Forest | 11,743 |
| Beaver Dam Creek | Cherokee National Forest | 5,070 |
| Big Laurel Branch Addition | Cherokee National Forest | 5,577 |
| Brushy Ridge | Cherokee National Forest | 7,469 |
| Flint Mill Gap | Cherokee National Forest | 9,494 |
| London Bridge Branch | Cherokee National Forest | 3,387 |
| Rogers Ridge | Cherokee National Forest | 4,738 |
| Sampson Mountain Addition | Cherokee National Forest | 3,064 |
| Slide Hollow | Cherokee National Forest | 4,057 |
| Stone Mountain | Cherokee National Forest | 5,367 |
| Sycamore Creek | Cherokee National Forest | 6,984 |
| Upper Bald River | Cherokee National Forest | 9,202 |
Vermont (5)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bread Loaf | Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests | 1,768 |
| Devil's Den 09083 | Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests | 9,169 |
| Griffith Lake 09084 | Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests | 1,833 |
| Wilder Mountain 09082 | Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests | 8,759 |
| Woodford 09086 | Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests | 2,456 |
Virginia (32)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Peak | George Washington National Forest | 7,135 |
| Bear Creek | Jefferson National Forest | 18,274 |
| Beards Mountain | George Washington National Forest | 7,505 |
| Beartown Addition B | Jefferson National Forest | 2,985 |
| Beaver Dam Creek | Jefferson National Forest | 1,135 |
| Brush Mountain | Jefferson National Forest | 6,002 |
| Elliott Knob | George Washington National Forest | 9,380 |
| Gum Run | George Washington National Forest | 12,620 |
| Hoop Hole | Jefferson National Forest | 4,652 |
| Kelley Mountain | George Washington National Forest | 7,590 |
| Laurel Fork | George Washington National Forest | 9,967 |
| Lewis Fork Addition | Jefferson National Forest | 749 |
| Little Alleghany | George Washington National Forest | 10,215 |
| Little River | George Washington National Forest | 27,292 |
| Little Walker Mountain | Jefferson National Forest | 9,818 |
| Little Wilson Creek Addition B | Jefferson National Forest | 1,725 |
| Mill Mountain | George Washington National Forest | 10,840 |
| Mountain Lake Addition A | Jefferson National Forest | 1,469 |
| Mountain Lake Addition B (VA) | Jefferson National Forest | 3,405 |
| Mt. Pleasant | George Washington National Forest | 8,933 |
| Northern Massanutten | George Washington National Forest | 9,444 |
| Oak Knob | George Washington National Forest | 10,882 |
| Raccoon Branch | Jefferson National Forest | 4,388 |
| Ramseys Draft Addition | George Washington National Forest | 12,781 |
| Saint Marys Addition | George Washington National Forest | 1,454 |
| Seng Mountain | Jefferson National Forest | 6,428 |
| Skidmore | George Washington National Forest | 5,641 |
| Southern Massanutten | George Washington National Forest | 11,985 |
| The Friars | George Washington National Forest | 2,035 |
| The Priest | George Washington National Forest | 5,737 |
| Three Ridges | George Washington National Forest | 4,745 |
| Three Sisters | George Washington National Forest | 8,149 |
West Virginia (16)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Canaan Loop | Monongahela National Forest | 7,867 |
| Cranberry Addition | Monongahela National Forest | 11,123 |
| Cranberry Glades Botanical Area | Monongahela National Forest | 785 |
| Dolly Sods Roaring Plain | Monongahela National Forest | 13,392 |
| Dry Fork | Monongahela National Forest | 657 |
| Dry River (WV) | George Washington National Forest | 7,331 |
| Falls Of Hills Creek | Monongahela National Forest | 6,925 |
| Glady Fork | Monongahela National Forest | 3,239 |
| Laurel Fork | Monongahela National Forest | 1,172 |
| Mcgowan Mountain | Monongahela National Forest | 10,504 |
| Middle Mountain | Monongahela National Forest | 19,020 |
| Mountain Lake Addition B (WV) | Jefferson National Forest | 557 |
| Seneca Creek | Monongahela National Forest | 22,287 |
| Spice Run | Monongahela National Forest | 6,251 |
| Tea Creek Mountain | Monongahela National Forest | 8,295 |
| Turkey Mountain | Monongahela National Forest | 6,421 |
References (7)
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 26. Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxvi + 723 pp.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
- iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
- 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.
- Native Plant Trust. 2024. Go Botany website. Online. Available: https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org (accessed 2024).
- Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
- Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.