L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132636
Element CodePDAST3P020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusEupatorium
Other Common Nameswhite thoroughwort (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 CommentsKartesz (1994) recognized three varieties in Eupatorium album (var. album, var. glandulosum, and var. subvenosum) and separately recognized Eupatorium sessilifolium var. vaseyi. Kartesz (1999) had a similar treatment except for including Eupatorium album var. glandulosum in a broader Eupatorium album var. album. Both Kartesz (1994) and Kartesz (1999) include E. fernaldii and E. petaloideum in var. album. The treatments in Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006) and Weakley (2020) differ from this and from each other. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006) and Weakley (2020) agree in that they recognize E. petaloideum as a distinct species and recognize E. album var. album with var. glandulosum as a synonym. However, E. fernaldii is included in E. album var. vaseyi by Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006) while Weakley (2020) recognizes E. fernaldii and E. vaseyi as distinct species. Eupatorium album var. subvenosum is accepted by Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006) but recognized as the distinct species E. subvenosum by Weakley (2020).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-13
Change Date1985-04-05
Edition Date2024-06-13
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsEupatorium album occurs in the eastern United States, from New York south to Florida and west to Louisiana. It is estimated that there are well over 300 occurrences rangewide. It occurs in woodlands, fields, and along forest edges, where it is threatened by loss of habitat from residential development and woody plant encroachment into open habitats due to the absence of fire. However, these threats are considered negligible given the broad range and large number of occurrences of the species.
Range Extent CommentsEupatorium album occurs in the eastern United States, from New York south to Florida and west to Louisiana (FNA 2006). Range extent was estimated to be over 1.5 million square kilometers, using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected 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 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to Eupatorium album include woody plant encroachment and closure of canopy gaps due to the absence of fire as well as development (Native Plant Trust 2024). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.