L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.145300
Element CodePDASC02230
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderGentianales
FamilyApocynaceae
GenusAsclepias
Other Common NamesAsclépiade panachée (FR) Red-ring Milkweed (EN) redring milkweed (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 Date2024-04-26
Change Date1988-05-02
Edition Date2024-04-26
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsAsclepias variegata is a widespread forb in a variety of woodland and forested habitats throughout much of eastern North America from Ontario, Canada and the United States from Connecticut and New York west to Oklahoma and south to Florida and Texas. The species has declined in the northeastern portion of its range and has been reported as extirpated in Ontario and Connecticut. Threats include deer browse, rights-of-way maintenance, and likely other threats in some places. Asclepias variegata is commonly cultivated and estimating the number of wild populations is challenging, but there are likely more than 1800. Despite declines in the northern portion of its range, this species is considered secure with its large range extent and number of occurrences.
Range Extent CommentsAsclepias variegata occurs in much of eastern North America, though declines in the northeastern portion of its range have lead to reported extirpations in Ontario, Canada and Connecticut, United States (FNA 2023). Its current range extends from New York west to Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and southeastern Oklahoma south to the Florida panhandle and eastern Texas (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2023). Range extent was estimated to be over 1.5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are over 1800 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). However, this species is commonly cultivated, and iNatualist observations (>4,000) were not evaluated for evidence of cultivation (iNaturalist 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Asclepias variegata is threatened by deer browse, rights-of-way maintenance, and likely other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2024).