Eastern lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis chinensis) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

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Special Significance of the Species

L. chinensis is at the northern edge of its range in Nova Scotia, disjunct from the American part of its range due to historical sea level changes and elimination of habitat. As a relict of a once continuous population, it shares many attributes with other restricted plants in southern Nova Scotia classified as being Atlantic Coastal Plain flora. However, despite being restricted to three sites on Nova Scotia’s south shore, it is locally abundant and in no imminent danger of extirpation. It is likely that Nova Scotian populations are genetically distinct from American populations in some way due to vicariance, but further work is needed to substantiate or refute this suggestion.

There is little evidence to suggest the general populace is aware of this species, despite the work of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Recovery Team and Nature Conservancy Canada. No traditional knowledge of this plant has been found in the literature.