Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1014111
Element CodePMLIL1W060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyMelanthiaceae
GenusStenanthium
SynonymsZigadenus leimanthoidesGray
Concept ReferenceSorrie, B.A., and A.S. Weakley. 2017. Stenanthium leimanthoides and S. densum (Melanthiaceae) revisited, with the description of two new species. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 11(2): 275-286.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for a narrow treatment of Stenanthium leimanthoides as recognized in Weakley et al. (2025) "with a peculiar and disjunct range, occurring on the Coastal Plain of se. NY (Long Island), NJ, and DE, in the mountains from WV and VA south through w. NC to ne. GA." The treatment in Weakley et al. recognizes S. densum, S. tennesseensis, and S. texanum as distinct from S. leimanthoides. The treatment of Zigadenus leimanthoides in Kartesz (1994, 1999) includes plants from Texas east to Georgia and Florida, north to West Virginia and in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York and includes Tennessee and Texas plants in Z. densus. The treatment in FNA (2002, vol. 26) did not distinguish Z. leimantoides from Z. densus.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2022-11-03
Change Date2022-11-03
Edition Date2022-11-03
Edition AuthorsEberly (2022), rev. SE RSGCN Workshop (2022)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsStenanthium leimanthoides occurs in the eastern United States. It has a disjunct geographic range including the Coastal Plain of southeastern New York, New Jersey, and Delaware and the mountains from West Virginia and Virginia south to western North Carolina and northeastern Georgia. The species is rare across its range and there are 6 extirpated and an additional 32 historical occurrences that are largely in highly developed areas of the coast that are most likely extirpated. This species continues to be threatened by habitat degradation and loss.
Range Extent CommentsStenanthium leimanthoides occurs in the eastern United States. It has a disjunct geographic range including the Atlantic Coastal Plain of southeastern New York, New Jersey, and Delaware and the mountains from West Virginia and Virginia south to western North Carolina and northeastern Georgia (Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2022). Range extent was estimated with GeoCAT using NatureServe Network occurrence data, excluding extirpated and possibly extirpated occurrences (NatureServe 2022, Bachman et al. 2011).
Threat Impact CommentsOn the Coastal Plain, this species is threatened by habitat succession and habitat loss. The only known site in Maryland is threatened by mining.