Michx.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.140982
Element CodePDGRO021C0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyGrossulariaceae
GenusRibes
Other Common NamesAppalachian gooseberry (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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-17
Change Date2024-06-17
Edition Date2024-06-17
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J.
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank ReasonsRibes rotundifolium is a shrub found throughout the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. With a large range extent and number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsRibes rotundifolium is known primarily from the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States from Tennessee and North Carolina north to western Pennsylvania and northern New York. Range extent was estimated to be over 380,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are at more than 100 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). Anecdotal comments support the likelihood that there are over 300 occurrences rangewide.
Threat Impact CommentsAll Ribes species in the northeastern United States have been subject to eradication since the 1920s to protect commercially valuable white pines from white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). Many Ribes species are hosts for part of the rust fungus' life cycle (Maloy 2018). Several years after removal, large numbers of Ribes rotundifolium seedlings were observed growing in cleared areas, suggesting rapid recovery (Zambino 2010). Although other threats are not widely documented, Ribes rotundifolium is potentially threatened by development, invasive species, deer browse, and other threats in some places.