L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1370670
Element CodePDMLS0H0D0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderMyrtales
FamilyMelastomataceae
GenusRhexia
Other Common NamesDull Meadow-beauty (EN) Maryland Meadow-beauty (EN) Pale Meadow-beauty (EN)
Concept ReferenceFlora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2021. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 10. Magnoliophyta: Proteaceae to Elaeagnaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 456 pp.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for a narrow treatment of Rhexia mariana, excluding R. interior and R. ventricosa, as recognized by Nesom in FNA (2021, vol. 10) and Weakley et al. (2025). Kartesz (1994, 1999) recognizes a broader treatment of R. mariana, including these as varieties. Nesom's treatment and Weakley et al. (2025) recognize R. mariana var. exalbida as distinct from typical R. mariana.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-01-14
Change Date2025-01-14
Edition Date2025-01-14
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 ReasonsRhexia mariana is a perennial forb found in pine woods, savannas, wet meadows, bogs, ditches, pond edges, roadsides, and weedy areas of eastern North America from New York and Michigan south to Florida and Texas in the United States. There are over 2,000 estimated occurrences of this species, which are threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, succession, invasive species, recreation, and alteration of hydrology. 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, Rhexia mariana is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsRhexia mariana occurs in eastern North America from New York and Michigan south to Florida and Texas in the United States (FNA 2021). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, NatureServe Network occurrence data, and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). See individual entries for distribution details about the two varieties.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records, NatureServe Network occurrence data, and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 2,000 occurrences of this taxon rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). The two varieties, exalbida and mariana, often intergrade, especially in the Florida panhandle across the Outer Coastal Plain to Texas (FNA 2021).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Rhexia mariana is threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, succession, invasive species, and recreation (NatureServe 2025). In New England, var. mariana occurs in Cape Cod on coastal plain pond shores and is vulnerable to changes in water level fluctuations (Native Plant Trust 2025).