Tall bugbane (Cimicifuga elata) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11

Technical Summary

Cimicifuga elata

Tall Bugbane – Cimicaire élevée

Distribution

Extent of occurrence:
2075 km²
Area of occupancy:
<0.11 km²

Population Information

Total number of individuals in the Canadian population:
18
Number of mature reproducing individuals in the
Canadian population:
148
Generation time:
3-6 years to flowering
Total population trend:
stable
Number of known populations:
8
Is the total population fragmented?
Yes
number of individuals in smallest population:
1
number of individuals in largest population:
63
number of extant sites:
8
number of historic sites from which species has been extirpated:
1
Does the species undergo fluctuations in numbers?
unknown

Limiting Factors and Threats

Cimicifuga elata occurs in small populations that are sporadically distributed over the landscape, is relatively much less attractive to pollinators than other flowering plants, and lacks any specialized seed dispersal mechanism; habitats are within heavily logged area, much fragmented; Populations of C. elata are notably absent from young 15-30 year-old managed stands, a common forest type within its range, and thus likely threatened by some forest management activities.

Rescue Potential

Does the species exist outside Canada?
Yes
Is immigration known or possible?
Yes
Would individuals from the nearest foreign population
be adapted to survive in Canada?
Yes
Would sufficient suitable habitat be available for immigrants?
Yes

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