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Coptis occidentalis

(Nutt.) Torr. & Gray

Western Goldthread

G4Apparently Secure (G4G5) Found in 25 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158907
Element CodePDRAN0A030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRanunculales
FamilyRanunculaceae
GenusCoptis
Other Common Names
Idaho goldthread (EN) Idaho Goldthread (EN)
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
Review Date2002-03-22
Change Date2002-07-10
Edition AuthorsK. McConnell (3/2002)
Rank Reasons
This Pacific Northwest species is relatively frequent but is sensitive to ecological disturbance; it may also be collected for medicinal purposes.
Range Extent Comments
Coptis occidentalis occurs from eastern Washington to western Montana at elevations between 600 and 1800 m (Vance et al. 2001).
Threat Impact Comments
Many activities pose a threat to this understory species, such as logging, hydrologic change, soil disturbance and possibly high intensity fires; this species is collected to a certain extent for medicinal use, but collection probably does not pose a significant threat at this time across its range. An asian cultivar, Coptis sinensis, is available for commercial use (Tilford 1998).
Ecology & Habitat
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
MontanaS3Yes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (25)
Idaho (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Montana (18)
AreaForestAcres
Allen Peak #185Kootenai National Forest29,638
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
CataractKootenai National Forest25,446
Devils Gap #698Kootenai National Forest5,353
Government Mountain #673Kootenai National Forest10,090
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Huckleberry Mountain #699Kootenai National Forest8,965
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Mcneeley #675Kootenai National Forest6,657
Meadow Creek - Upper North ForkLolo National Forest6,906
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
Roderick #684Kootenai National Forest29,677
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest14,675
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest37,844
Trout CreekKootenai National Forest30,851
Oregon (2)
AreaForestAcres
HuckleberryWallowa-Whitman National Forest11,238
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
References (3)
  1. 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.
  2. Tilford, G. L. 1998. From Earth to Herbalist. Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana.
  3. Vance, N.C., M. Borsting and D. Pilz. 2001. Special forest products species information guide for Pacific Northwest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-XX.