Torr. & Gray
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.150409
Element CodePDHDR02010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyHydrangeaceae
GenusJamesia
Other Common NamesAmerican Cliffbush (EN) Five-petal Cliffbush (EN) fivepetal cliffbush (EN) Waxflower (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 CommentsFreeman in FNA (2016, vol. 12) recognizes four varieties of Jamesia americana: var. americana, var. macrocalyx, var. rosea, and var. zionis. Holmgren and Holmgren (1989) group the last three varieties under a subspecies californica with var. americana the only variety of subspecies americana.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-07-14
Change Date1990-01-16
Edition Date2026-07-14
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2026)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsJamesia americana is a wide-ranging shrub found in a variety of primarily rocky habitats, from wet stream banks and forested canyon bottoms to hanging gardens, exposed rocky slopes, around boulders, and cliff crevices. It occurs in western North America, from Wyoming west to California, United States, south to Chihuahua and Nuevo León, Mexico. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsJamesia americana occurs in western North America, from Wyoming west to California, United States, south to Chihuahua and Nuevo León, Mexico (FNA 2016). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 1 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2026 (RARECAT 2026, GBIF 2026, NatureServe 2026).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2026, it is estimated that there are over 800 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2026, GBIF 2026, NatureServe 2026).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, the two rare varieties face threats from recreational activities (including hikers, rock climbers, and ski resorts), introduced mountain goats, and drought, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species rangewide (UNHP 2023, UNHP 2024, NatureServe 2026).