CNPS

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory



Species Details

Swertia perennis

felwort

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Photo of Swertia perennis
© 2008 Trent M. Draper 		Photo of Swertia perennis
© 2009 Urs Landergott 		Photo of Swertia perennis
© 2008 Trent M. Draper

Species Description:

Swertia perennis, commonly known as felwort, is a perennial herb in the Gentianaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, Riparian scrub, and Upper montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1935 to 3400 meters. Swertia perennis is ranked 4.2, Plants of Limited Distribution, A Watch List; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Swertia perennis L.
Common Name:
felwort
Family: Gentianaceae
Element Code: PDGEN0H010
USDA Plants Symbol: SWPE
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status: JEP, FNA, POWO,
IPNI, Tropicos

  Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 4.2
Fed List: None
State List: None
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
 S3
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
added to 4.2 on 2024-09-26
Add Date: 2024-09-26
Date Edited: 2025-01-07

  Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep
JFMAMJJASOND
Elevation:
1935 - 3400 meters
6350 - 11155 feet
General Habitats:
  • Meadows and seeps
  • Riparian scrub
  • Upper montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat Details: Found in wet (often alluvial) soil in mesic openings in coniferous forest or meadows near drainages or lake edges.
Microhabitat:
  • Granitic (usually)
  • Lake Margins (sometimes)
  • Streambanks (sometimes)

  Notes

Notes:
Threats:
Threatened by inappropriate grazing, trampling, and hydrological alterations. Potentially threatened by fire suppression activities and high severity fire.
Taxonomy:

  Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
Total EOs % of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed: 0 0 %
THREAT LIST:

  Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 0
Element Occurrence Ranks:
A B C D X U
0 0 0 0 0 0
Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years 0
Recent <=20 Years 0
Presence:
Presumed Extant 0
Possibly Extirpated 0
Presumed Extirpated 0

  Location

California Endemic:
California Island:
States: Name (Code)
Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Idaho (ID), Montana (MT), Nevada (NV), New Mexico (NM), Oregon (OR), Utah (UT), Washington (WA), Wyoming (WY)
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
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

Location Data is Forthcoming from the CNDDB
Presumed Extant
Click on quad for name. Hold Shift Key to use mouse scroll wheel

  Selected References

CNPS Status Review: Proposed addition to CRPR 4.2, G5 / S3 (2024)
Original Description: Species Plantarum 1: 226 (1753)

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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 20 January 2025].
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