Home/Species/ Scotch False Asphodel

Tofieldia pusilla

(Michx.) Pers.

Scotch False Asphodel

G5Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.128254

Element CodePMLIL1Y040

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassMonocotyledoneae

OrderAlismatales

FamilyTofieldiaceae

GenusTofieldia

Other Common Names

Small Tofieldia (EN) Tofieldie naine (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.

Conservation Status

Rank MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2015-08-13

Change Date1992-02-07

Range Extent Comments

Circumpolar, south in N. America to Que., Ont., Man., nw. MT, and B.C. Peripheral.

Ecology & Habitat

Description

Small Tofieldia is a small perennial from a short rhizome with flowering stems which stand 0.5-2 dm tall. Plants have numerous linear, strongly folded, parallel-veined leaves in tufts at the base of the stem; the leaves are mostly 2-5 cm long. The flower stem is leafless but sometimes has one small bract. The flowers are borne on short pedicels in a crowded head. The flowers are greenish or whitish with 6 similar tepals that are about 2 mm long, 6 short stamens, and a 3-lobed pistil with 3 short styles. The 3-celled fruits are 2-3 mm long and contain numerous seeds which lack appendages.

Diagnostic Characteristics

This species is distinguished from other members of the lily family by having a rootstock or short rhizome rather than a bulb or corm, all basal, linear leaves, and relatively small flowers with 6 similar perianth parts and a pistil with three styles. The more common TOFIELDIA GLUTINOSA is generally a larger plant with longer leaves and is strongly glandular hairy.

Other Nations (2)

United StatesNNR

Province	Rank	Native
Minnesota	S1	Yes
Alaska	SNR	Yes
Michigan	S2	Yes
Montana	S2	Yes

CanadaN5

Province	Rank	Native
Labrador	S4	Yes
Manitoba	S4	Yes
Northwest Territories	S4	Yes
British Columbia	S5	Yes
Ontario	S4	Yes
Nunavut	S4	Yes
Saskatchewan	S1	Yes
Island of Newfoundland	S4	Yes
Quebec	S5	Yes
Yukon Territory	S5	Yes
Alberta	S3	Yes

Plant Characteristics

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (2)

Alaska (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Fidalgo-Gravina	Chugach National Forest	257,968

Minnesota (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Cabin Creek	Superior National Forest	6,071

References (3)

Bradshaw, M. E. 1981. Monitoring grassland plants in Upper Teesdale, England. Pp 241-251 in: The biological aspects of rare plant conservation. H. Synge, (ed.) John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 26. Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxvi + 723 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.