introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

Featherbells(Stenanthium gramineum)What It Looks Like:This member of the Lily Family (Liliaceae) hasan erect, leafy stem that can reach up to 6’ tall.It is a slender perennial herb with a smooth stemthat does not branch below the inflorescence.Pennsylvania DistributionWestern Pennsylvania Conservancy 2003Leaves: numerous stem leaves, 6” to 1.5’ longand ¼”-1/2” wide, alternately arranged on stem& also basal, present at the time of flowering.Flowers: present in terminal branching paniclethat is 6”-2’ long, flowers are variable in sizeand have 6 pointed petals (tepals), flowersappear in July through SeptemberPennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Data 2004Where It Is Found:In Pennsylvania, Eastern Featherbells appear to prefer moist woods and meadows, often associated withfloodplain areas. In other parts of its range it is also found in drier sites. The plant is infrequent andimperiled in most of its wide range which extends from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri south toFlorida and Arkansas. Pennsylvania populations represent the northeastern boundary of this species’ rangeand are concentrated in the western and central portions of the state.Why It Is Rare:In parts of its range, including Illinois and Indiana, most land area has been converted for human use andvery few sites with suitable habitat remain. Some evaluators suggest that the plant is highly correlated withlittle-disturbed natural areas, which can be due to highly specific habitat requirements or a low dispersalability. In Pennsylvania, it has been documented from 21 sites, but 17 of these records have not beenvalidated for at least 40 years, so an accurate assessment cannot be made of its abundance in the state. As itis associated with floodplains and other wetlands, habitat types which have been converted at a high rateover the last several decades, it may have declined due to habitat destruction.Global DistributionSouth-eastern North America. Northeastern limit of range falls within Pennsylvania.Conservation Status Ranks(Natureserve)NatureServe. 2003. NatureServe Explorer: Anonline encyclopedia of life [web application].Version 1.8. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.G4G5: apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery/demonstrably secureglobally may be rare in parts of its rangeS1S2: critically imperiled in state because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it vulnerable to extirpation from thestate/ imperiled in state because of rarity43