(L.) L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159730
Element CodePDLOG08050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderGentianales
FamilyLoganiaceae
GenusSpigelia
Other Common Nameswoodland pinkroot (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.
Taxonomic CommentsDespite its name, Maryland is well outside the natural range of Spigelia marilandica (Knapp and Naczi 2021).
Conservation Status
Review Date2001-01-31
Change Date2001-02-02
Edition Date2001-01-31
Edition AuthorsK.McConnell
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Rank ReasonsSpigelia marilandica occurs from Texas and Florida, north to Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, east to western North Carolina and South Carolina. It is widespread, but rare to significantly rare in the more northern portions of the range including the Midwest, but common in Arkansas. This showy plant is cultivated for ornamental use but roots are also collected from the wild for medicinal purposes; wild-collection for this purpose may have reduced populations in the eastern U.S. Demand for this species has historically been higher than current demand, which is relatively limited. S. marilandica is potentially threatened by clearcutting due to habitat requirements.
Range Extent CommentsSouth Carolina, southwest North Carolina (Cherokee Co. and Macon Co.), and Tennessee west to southern Indiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma, south to Panhandle Florida and Texas; reports from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are considered likely garden waifs, though it is thought likely to be found in southwestern Virginia (Weakley et al. 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsSpigelia marilandica has historically been used for medicinal purposes and its roots are still in commerce. Historically, collecting roots for medicinal purposes may have reduced populations in the eastern part of the U.S. (pers. comm. D. Winston, October 2000). It is included on the United Plant Savers' "To Watch List", indicating that wild populations are potentially threatened, due either to market demand or ecological threats. Spigelia marilandica is an ornamental plant and widely cultivated, though it is not clear whether roots used in the herbal industry are cultivated and wild-collected. It is reportedly "showy and very attractive" and potentially prone to over-collection, though this is somewhat speculative (pers. comm. J. Nelson, October 2000). According to Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, it has very limited contemporary use and is available as a homeopathic remedy (pers. comm., December 2000).
This species is probably threatened by clearcutting since it grows in heavily shaded, mesic forests (D. White, pers. comm. November 2000).