Taxon Report

Botrychium pumicola Coville ex. Underw.

pumice moonwort

Print Report


©2010 Eric White

Taxon Summary

Botrychium pumicola, commonly known as pumice moonwort, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Ophioglossaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Alpine boulder and rock field, and Subalpine coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 2750 to 2750 meters. Botrychium pumicola is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Botrychium pumicola Coville ex. Underw.
Common Name:
pumice moonwort
Family: Ophioglossaceae
Element Code: PPOPH010D0
USDA Plants Symbol: BOPU2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep Jul-Sep
Elevation: 2750-2750 (9025-9025)
General Habitats: Alpine boulder and rock field, Subalpine coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Volcanic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G2
State Rank:
S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: USFS_S
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12
  • added to 2.2 on 2009-01-05

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Siskiyou (SIS)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Mt. Shasta (4112242)

Selected References

Proposed Addition to CRPR 2.2, G3 / SH (2009)
Botrychium pumicola account for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2021)
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].