Taxon Report

Silene marmorensis Kruckeberg

Marble Mountain campion

Print Report


©2021 Dana York

Taxon Summary

Silene marmorensis, commonly known as Marble Mountain campion, is a perennial herb in the Caryophyllaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Broadleafed upland forest, Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 170 to 1250 meters. Silene marmorensis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Silene marmorensis Kruckeberg
Common Name:
Marble Mountain campion
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Element Code: PDCAR0U0Z0
USDA Plants Symbol: SIMA5
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Aug Jun-Aug
Elevation: 170-1250 (560-4100)
General Habitats: Broadleafed upland forest, Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 41
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 8
   Fair (C) 7
   Poor (D) 2
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 22
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Siskiyou (SIS)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cecilville (4112322), Forks of Salmon (4112333), Medicine Mtn. (4112343), Orleans Mtn. (4112334), Sawyers Bar (4112332), Somes Bar (4112344), Youngs Peak (4112323)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 10
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
37 90 %
Logging 22 53%
Road/trail construction/maint. 20 48%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 10 24%
Mining 4 9%
Grazing 4 9%
Other 3 7%
Foot traffic/trampling 2 4%
Biocides 1 2%
Improper burning regime 1 2%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 1 2%

Notes

Need quads for HUM Co. Threatened by logging. Closely related to S. bridgesii. See MadroƱo 15(6):172-177 (1960) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].