Actaea elata
(Nutt.) Prantl
Tall Bugbane
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.134578
Element CodePDRAN07030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRanunculales
FamilyRanunculaceae
GenusActaea
Synonyms
Cimicifuga elataNutt.
Other Common Names
Cimicaire élevée (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.
Taxonomic Comments
Treated by Kartesz (1999) as Actaea elata; also known as Cimicifuga elata (e.g., in Kartesz (1994)). Phylogenetic analyses of Compton et al. (1998) support the inclusion of Cimicifuga within a monophyletic Actaea.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2015-09-14
Change Date2015-09-14
Edition Date1996-09-27
Edition AuthorsGamon, J. & K. Maybury, rev. A. Olivero (2003)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
This species is limited to the Pacific Northwest. There are some very large populations in southern Oregon with other smaller populations scattered throughout western Oregon and Washington. Timber harvest practices continue to be a threat although plants have been found in second growth and in semi-disturbed areas, e.g. along roads and clear cut edges. Collecting by herbalists is also a threat.
Range Extent Comments
This species range is the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. In Oregon, it occurs in the western Cascades and Willamette Valley of western Oregon from Jackson County in the south to the Washington/Oregon border.
Occurrences Comments
About 200 occurrences known in Oregon; unknown how many populations have been found in Washington and British Columbia.
Threat Impact Comments
The foreseeable threat with the greatest impact is habitat degradation/loss. The primary threat is habitat degradation/loss due to timber management practices (WNHP 2003). Although the initial effect of clearcuts on tall bugbane is positive, the long-term results may be devastating due to the growth of closely-spaced trees which exclude tall bugbane from direct light (Kaye and Cramer 2003). Other threats include competition from invasive weedy species, residential development, collecting by herbalists and recreational use of some sites resulting in trampling of plants (WNHP 2003).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Moist, shady woods, mostly at lower elevations, especially north-facing slopes in mature Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) forests.
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN4
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | S4 | Yes |
| Washington | S3 | Yes |
CanadaN1
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | S1 | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (5)
Oregon (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Larch | Mt. Hood National Forest | 12,961 |
Washington (4)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek | Gifford Pinchot National Forest | 7,980 |
| Madison Creek | Olympic National Forest | 1,223 |
| Mt. Baker West | Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | 25,390 |
| Silver Star | Gifford Pinchot National Forest | 7,779 |
References (9)
- Compton, J. A., A. Culham and S.L. Jury. 1998. Reclassification of <i>Actaea</i> to include <i>Cimicifuga</i> and <i>Souliea</i> (Ranunculaceae): phytogeny inferred from morphology, nrDNA ITS, and cpDNA trnL-F sequence variation. Taxon 47:593-634.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1997. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 3. Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiii + 590 pp.
- 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.
- Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Kaye, T.N. and J.R. Cramer. 2002. <i>Cimicifuga elata </i>population monitoring Medford District, BLM. Progress Report (December 2002). Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon. 22 pp.
- Kaye, T.N. and J.R. Cramer. 2003. Effects of forest management on tall bugbane in McDonald-Dunn Forest Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon. Final Report (March 2003). Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon. 23 pp.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1981. An illustrated guide to the endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia. 328 pp.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1994. Endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Dept. of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. 52 pp.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program and USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2003. Field guide to selected rare plants of Washington. Online. Available: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/fguide/htm/fsfgabc.htm. Accessed 2003, May 9.