Raf.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156484
Element CodePDASTD7060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusArnoglossum
SynonymsCacalia plantaginea(Raf.) ShinnersCacalia tuberosaNutt.
Other Common NamesArnoglosse plantain (FR) Groove-stem Indian-plantain (EN) groovestem Indian plantain (EN) Western Indian-plantain (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 CommentsThe genus name "Cacalia" was used for a group of plants now generally recognized as belonging to eight genera, and has been variously used for differing portions of that group. In 1998, the Committee for Spermatophyta published (Taxon 47: 444) its decision to reject this name nomenclaturally, in order to avoid confusion. Thus, all plants formerly called Cacalia must now be classified into other genera. LEM 3Jun98.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-03-24
Change Date2025-03-24
Edition Date2025-03-24
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsArnoglossum plantagineum is a perennial herb in a variety of open habitats in central North America from Ontario, Canada and Ohio west to Minnesota, United States south to Texas and Alabama. There are over 1,000 occurrences threatened by development, grazing, conversion to agriculture or pasture, agricultural herbicide overspray, rights-of-way maintenance, fire suppression and succession, hydrological alteration, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsArnoglossum plantagineum occurs in central North America from Ontario, Canada and Ohio west to Minnesota, United States south to Texas and Alabama (FNA 2006, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 2.4 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by development, grazing, conversion to agriculture or pasture, agricultural herbicide overspray, rights-of-way maintenance, fire suppression and succession, hydrological alteration, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.