CNPS

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory



Species Details

Sanguisorba officinalis

great burnet

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Photo of Sanguisorba officinalis
©2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy 		Photo of Sanguisorba officinalis
©2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

Species Description:

Sanguisorba officinalis, commonly known as great burnet, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Rosaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, Broadleafed upland forest, Marshes and swamps, Meadows and seeps, North Coast coniferous forest, and Riparian forest, growing at elevations from 60 to 1400 meters. Sanguisorba officinalis is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Sanguisorba officinalis L.
Common Name:
great burnet
Family: Rosaceae
Element Code: PDROS1L060
USDA Plants Symbol: SAOF3
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status: JEP, FNA, POWO,
IPNI, Tropicos

  Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Fed List: None
State List: None
Global Rank: G5?
State Rank:
 S2
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
Add Date: 1994-01-01
Date Edited: 2022-06-08

  Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Oct
JFMAMJJASOND
Elevation:
60 - 1400 meters
195 - 4595 feet
General Habitats:
  • Bogs and fens
  • Broadleafed upland forest
  • Meadows and seeps
  • Marshes and swamps
  • North Coast coniferous forest
  • Riparian forest
Microhabitat Details:
Microhabitat:
  • Serpentine (often)

  Notes

Notes:
CA plants may be ssp. microcephala.
Threats:

Potentially threatened by non-native plants.
Taxonomy:

  Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 9
Total EOs % of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed: 11 50 %
THREAT LIST:
Foot traffic/trampling 5 22%
Logging 5 22%
Other 3 13%
Grazing 2 9%
Development 2 9%

  Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 22
Element Occurrence Ranks:
A B C D X U
1 1 2 0 1 17
Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years 18
Recent <=20 Years 4
Presence:
Presumed Extant 21
Possibly Extirpated 1
Presumed Extirpated 0

  Location

California Endemic:
California Island:
States: Name (Code)
Alaska (AK), California (CA), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), South America (SA), Washington (WA)
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Del Norte (DNT), Humboldt (HUM), Mendocino (MEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Albion (3912327), Crescent City (4112472), Elk (3912326), Fort Bragg (3912347), Gasquet (4112378), High Divide (4112481), High Plateau Mtn. (4112388), Mad River Buttes (4012367), Maple Creek (4012377), Mendocino (3912337), Shelly Creek Ridge (4112387), Ship Mountain (4112367), Sister Rocks (4112462)
Notes:
Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
* Presumed extirpated
(?) Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.
Regional Map

  Map

Presumed Extant
Click on quad for name. Hold Shift Key to use mouse scroll wheel

  Selected References

Other: USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile

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Suggested Citation:
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 13 January 2025].
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