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Featured Plants in Maine
© Don Cameron/MNAP Featured Plants Featured Image
Rare plants have no formal protection in Maine -- our rare plant legislation is for informational purposes only -- so the habitat in which these plants occur is important for their survival. Rare plant locations may occur outside of, or within documented MNAP Rare and Exemplary Natural Communities. Rare plants are often components of documented natural communities and can be conserved in the context of these larger systems. Populations of rare plants outside of documented natural communities will require separate conservation actions.
Looking after Maine's botanical treasures is a task that is as large as this beautiful state. MNAP receives generous help from the New England Wildflower Society (NEWFS) - Plant Conservation Volunteer Corps (PCVs) program. The PCV program trains amateur field botanists to perform much-needed conservation work. These volunteers are integral to monitoring and managing rare and endangered plant species in Maine.
The Official List of Endangered and Threatened Plants in Maine is a list of native vascular plant species whose populations within the state are highly vulnerable to loss. Species on the list are typically known from a very small number of sites within the state, and many require unique habitat for survival. This list is used to assist scientific research, environmental assessment, permit review, land management, and for educational purposes. This list is managed by the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) and is under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation. Fact Sheets are available for all listed species.
Featured Plants in Maine
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Cut-Leaved Anemone (Anemone multifida)
Cut-leaved anemone has basal leaves on long stalks which are deeply divided into three parts, and each of these parts is deeply lobed into fine divisions.
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Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
Atlantic white cedar is an evergreen tree, up to 25 m high, with small, scale-like leaves and characteristic cedar fragrance.
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Featherfoil (Hottonia inflata)
Featherfoil is a short-lived aquatic herb with an entirely submerged, spongy, densely leafy, hollow stem.
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Appalachian Fir-clubmoss (Huperzia appalachiana)
Huperzia appalachiana is very similar to H. selago (ranked S1 in Maine) and the two are very difficult to tell apart.
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Northern blazing star (Liatris scariosa)
Liatris scariosa is a showy purple-flowered perennial growing from a bulb with a basal rosette of lanceolate leaves 0.5-3 cm broad. It is most often associated with sand barrens.
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Furbish's lousewort (Pedicularis furbishiae)
is plant, endemic to the banks of the St. John River, has very specific habitat requirements. It grows on a narrow strip of sloped riverbank which is damp, yet not too close to the water, and close enough to the forest to benefit from the shade.
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Spongy Arrow-head (Sagittaria calycina)
Being somewhat more tolerant of mild salinity than many other estuarine species, Sagittaria calycina usually grows in the mid to lower intertidal zone in our area.
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