Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.131386
Element CodePDURT04020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderUrticales
FamilyUrticaceae
GenusLaportea
SynonymsUrtica canadensisL.Urticastrum divaricatum(L.) Kuntze
Other Common NamesCanadian Woodnettle (EN) Canadian woodnettle (EN) Laportéa du Canada (FR) Woodnettle (EN) Wood Nettle (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 Date2024-09-19
Change Date1984-06-06
Edition Date2024-09-19
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 ReasonsLaportea canadensis is an annual or perennial forb occurring in rich, moist deciduous forests along seepages and streams of eastern North America in Canada and the United States south to Mexico. There are over 3,000 estimated occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, 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, Laportea canadensis is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsLaportea canadensis occurs in eastern North America, from Alberta east to Nova Scotia, Canada, and south from Maine to Florida, west to Oklahoma, and north to North Dakota in the United States (FNA 1997). It also occurs in Mexico (POWO 2024). Range extent was estimated to be over 6.5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 3,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Laportea canadensis is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.