Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.142096
Element CodePDERI04020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusArctous
SynonymsArctostaphylos alpina(L.) Spreng.Arctous alpinus(L.) Niedenzu
Other Common NamesAlpine Bearberry (EN) alpine bearberry (EN) Black Bearberry (EN) Busserole alpine (FR)
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 CommentsThis record is for the narrow treatment of Arctous alpina, excluding A. rubra as a distinct species, as recognized by Tucker's treatment in FNA (2009, vol. 8) and Brouillet et al. (2024). It was also recognized in this narrow sense by Kartesz (1994 and 1999), but in the genus Arctostaphylos.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-11-05
Change Date1984-02-09
Edition Date2024-11-05
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsArctous alpina is a widespread circumboreal shrub occurring on gravely beach ridges, heaths, open coniferous woods, arctic, and alpine tundra of North America, Greenland, northern Europe, and Asia. There are over 5,000 occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by development, invasive species, climate change, rights-of-way maintenance, recreation, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Arctous alpina is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsArctous alpina is widespread in boreal and arctic habitats of North America, Greenland, northern Europe, and Asia (FNA 2009). In North America, it occurs throughout Alaska and all of Canada (except Saskatchewan), and in Maine and New Hampshire in the United States. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 5,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Arctous alpina is likely threatened by recreation (hikers), development, invasive species, climate change, rights-of-way maintenance, recreation, and other threats in some places. There is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this taxon.