Wettst.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.144567
Element CodePDSCR0P090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderScrophulariales
FamilyOrobanchaceae
GenusEuphrasia
Other Common NamesEuphraise d'Oakes (FR) Oakes' eyebright (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, 1999) includes Euphrasia williamsii in E. oakesii. Gussarova (2017) distinguishes varieties in E. oakesii: E. oakesii var. williamsii and E. oakesii var. oakesii.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-08-14
Change Date2024-08-14
Edition Date2024-08-14
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsEuphrasia oakesii occurs in open, gravelly or rocky places, and on ridges or ledges in alpine or subalpine habitats of eastern North America from Quebec to Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada, to Maine and New Hampshire in the United States. There are 21-80 estimated occurrences of this species, which are threatened in the United States by recreational activities such as trampling by hikers and erosion from trails. Climate change is also a concern, because this species occurs on high elevation peaks (at least in Maine and New Hampshire), and there is limited elevational gains for shifting habitat. Trends appear to be stable, though little is known about threats and trends for populations in Canada. Additional research is also needed as to the status of lower taxa under Euphrasia oakesii, as very few records are identified to variety.
Range Extent CommentsEuphrasia oakesii occurs in eastern North America from Quebec to Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada to Maine and New Hampshire in the United States (FNA 2019, Native Plant Trust 2024). Range extent was estimated to be 248,286 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1983 and 2024 (iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). See each variety for additional distribution details.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1983 and 2024, it is estimated that there are 21-80 occurrences rangewide (iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsThe Mount Katahdin population in Maine is threatened by heavy recreational use by hikers, and one occurrence in New Hampshire is also located near a trail, though a low proportion of plants were harmed via trampling by hikers in 2018 (NatureServe 2024, Maine Natural Areas Program, n.d.). Erosion along an old trail may have caused the extirpation of one subpopulation in New Hampshire (NatureServe 2024). As this species occurs on high elevation peaks (at least in Maine and New Hampshire), there is limited elevational gains for shifting habitat associated with climate change. Threats to Canadian occurrences are largely unknown.