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Massachusetts Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)

Five hundred and seventy species were determined to be Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in Massachusetts as presented in the 2015 update to the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).

The tables below list all of the SGCN in Massachusetts, with their global rank, federal status, regional SGCN status (RSGCN, for vertebrates, freshwater mussels, tiger beetles, and federally listed invertebrates only; see Section D of State Wildlife Action Plan Chapter 3, for an explanation), MESA status, other concerns and comments (including level of RSGCN concern and responsibility; see Section D of State Wildlife Action Plan Chapter 3), and SWAP Habitats. For an explanation of the SWAP Habitats, see State Wildlife Action Plan Chapter 4. Details on each of these species, including a short description, their distribution and abundance in the state, habitat description, threats, and references, can be found in the online fact sheets (linked from the common names). Up to date state status can be found on the species fact sheets or by viewing the List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species.

Table of Contents

Vertebrates

Click on the common name for a fact sheet outlining the description, habitat, threats, life history, etc. for that species.  

Fishes

Scientific Name

Common Name

Globally Rare

Federal List

RSGCN

NEPCoP

MESA

State Rank

Other Concerns/
Comments

SWAP Habitats

Acipenser brevirostrum

Shortnose Sturgeon

G3

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Atlantic Sturgeon

G3

LE, LT

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Alosa aestivalis

Blueback Herring

G3G4

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Alosa pseudoharengus

Alewife

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Lakes & Ponds

Alosa sapidissima

American Shad

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Anguilla rostrata

American Eel

G4

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Lakes & Ponds

Catostomus catostomus

Longnose Sucker

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Catostomus commersoni

White Sucker

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5

Not everywhere it should be expected; downward trend; issues of connectivity

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Chrosomus eos

Northern Redbelly Dace

G5

--

--

NA

E

S1

 

Small Streams

Cottus cognatus

Slimy Sculpin

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Host to federally and state Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel

Small Streams

Couesius plumbeus

Lake Chub

G5

--

--

NA

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Enneacanthus obesus

Banded Sunfish

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Erimyzon oblongus

Creek Chubsucker

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

low population numbers; impacted range-wide

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Etheostoma fusiforme

Swamp Darter

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Etheostoma olmstedi

Tessellated Darter

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

Host to federally and state Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Fundulus luciae

Spotfin Killifish

G4

--

X

NA

--

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Salt Marsh

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Threespine Stickleback

G5

--

--

NA

T

S4

Only the trimorphic freshwater population is listed under MESA and therefore a SGCN.

Lakes & Ponds

Hybognathus regius

Eastern Silvery Minnow

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – low

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lethenteron appendix

American Brook Lamprey

G4

--

X

NA

T

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Small Streams

Lota lota

Burbot

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Luxilus cornutus

Common Shiner

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Notropis bifrenatus

Bridle Shiner

G3

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Petromyzon marinus

Sea Lamprey

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Rhinichthys atratulus

Blacknose Dace

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Rhinichthys cataractae

Longnose Dace

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Salmo salar

Atlantic Salmon

G5

--

X

NA

--

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook Trout

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Semotilus atromaculatus

Creek Chub

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Semotilus corporalis

Fallfish

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – low

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

 

Amphibians

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank

Other Concerns/
Comments

SWAP Habitats

Ambystoma jeffersonianum

Jefferson Salamander

G4

--

X (as a complex)

NA

SC

S2S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern –  very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Vernal Pools

Ambystoma laterale

Blue-Spotted Salamander

G5

--

X (as a complex)

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Vernal Pools

Ambystoma opacum

Marbled Salamander

G5

--

X

NA

T

S2S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Vernal Pools

Lithobates pipiens

Northern Leopard Frog

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Lakes & Ponds

Small Streams

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Scaphiopus holbrookii

Eastern Spadefoot

G5

--

X

NA

T

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Vernal Pools

 

Reptiles

Scientific Name

Common Name

Globally Rare

Federal List

RSGCN

NEPCoP

MESA

State Rank

Other Concerns/
Comments

SWAP Habitats

Agkistrodon contortrix

Copperhead

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Caretta caretta

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

G3

--

X

NA

T

S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Carphophis amoenus

Eastern Wormsnake

G5

--

--

NA

T

S1S2

 

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Chelonia mydas

Green Sea Turtle

G3

LE, LT

X

NA

T

S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Clemmys guttata

Spotted Turtle

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Vernal Pools

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Large Unfragmented Landscape Mosaics

Coluber constrictor

North American Racer

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4S5

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Young Forest & Shrublands

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Crotalus horridus

Timber Rattlesnake

G4

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback Sea Turtle

G2

LE

X

NA

E

S1S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Emydoidea blandingii

Blanding’s Turtle

G4

--

X

NA

T

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Vernal Pools

Shrub Swamps

Large Unfragmented Landscape Mosaics

Eretmochelys imbricata

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

G3

LE

X

NA

E

S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Glyptemys insculpta

Wood Turtle

G3

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

Bog Turtle

G3

LT, SAT

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Shrub Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Heterodon platirhinos

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Lepidochelys kempii

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

G1

LE

X

NA

E

S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Malaclemys terrapin

Northern Diamond-backed Terrapin

G4

--

X

NA

T

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Salt Marsh

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Opheodrys vernalis

Smooth Greensnake

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Synonym: Liochlorophis vernalis

Grasslands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Young Forests & Shrublands

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Eastern Ratsnake

G5

--

--

NA

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Young Forests & Shrublands

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Pseudemys rubriventris

Northern Red-Bellied Cooter

G5T2Q

LE

X

NA

E

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Lakes & Ponds

Coastal Plain Ponds

Terrapene carolina

Eastern Box Turtle

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Thamnophis sauritus

Eastern Ribbonsnake

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4S5

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Lakes & Ponds

Small Streams

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

 

Birds

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Accipiter gentilis

Northern Goshawk

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 16 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and likely declining

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Ammodramus caudacutus

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

G4

--

X

NA

--

S3B

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Salt Marsh

Ammodramus maritimus

Seaside Sparrow

G4

--

X

NA

--

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Salt Marsh

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper Sparrow

G5

--

X

NA

T

S3B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Anas discors

Blue-winged Teal

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2B, S5M

 

Lakes & Ponds

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Anas rubripes

American Black Duck

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4B, S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Lakes & Ponds

Salt Marsh

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Antrostomus vociferus

Eastern Whip-poor-will

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S2S3, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

 Young Forests & Shrublands

Ardea alba

Great Egret

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2B, S4N

Increasing in numbers,

but still only a few breeding colonies

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Salt Marsh

Arenaria interpres

Ruddy Turnstone

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Asio flammeus

Short-eared Owl

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Salt Marsh

Asio otus

Long-eared Owl

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S1B, S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Bartramia longicauda

Upland Sandpiper

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1B, S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Bonasa umbellus

Ruffed Grouse

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Young Forests & Shrublands

Botaurus lentiginosus

American Bittern

G4

--

X

NA

E

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Peatlands

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Hawk

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B, S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Calidris alba

Sanderling

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Calidris canutus

Red Knot

G4

LT

X

NA

T

S2N

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Calidris maritima

Purple Sandpiper

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Rocky Coastlines

Calidris pusilla

Semi-palmated Sandpiper

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Calonectris diomedea

Cory's Shearwater

G5

--

--

NA

--

S3N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Cardellina canadensis

Canada Warbler

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Synonym: Wilsonia canadensis

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 116 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Forested Swamps

Riparian Forest

Chaetura pelagica

Chimney Swift

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas says very widespread and stable, but Breeding Bird Survey data say it is decreasing, both regionally and in MA

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Young Forest & Shrublands

Grasslands

Charadrius melodus

Piping Plover

G3

LE, LT

X

NA

T

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Chordeiles minor

Common Nighthawk

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B, S5M

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 34 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed very local and strongly declining

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Circus hudsonius

formerly Circus cyaneus

Northern Harrier

G5

--

X

NA

T

S2B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Cistothorus palustris

Marsh Wren

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2S3B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Cistothorus platensis

Sedge Wren

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1B, S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Clangula hyemalis

Long-tailed Duck

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Rocky Coastlines

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Black-billed Cuckoo

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 71 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed somewhat local and likely declining

Young Forests & Shrublands

Colinus virginianus

Northern Bobwhite

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 224 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Contopus cooperi

Olive-sided Flycatcher

G4

--

X

NA

--

SHB, S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 8 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed very local and strongly declining

Peatlands

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Bobolink

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas says fairly widespread and likely increasing, but Breeding Bird Survey data say it is declining regionally

Grasslands

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Only a few breeding colonies

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Eremophila alpestris

Horned Lark

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 35 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Grasslands

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Euphagus carolinus

Rusty Blackbird

G4

--

X

NA

--

S1?B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Forested Swamps

Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon

G4

--

X

NA

T

S2B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Falco sparverius

American Kestrel

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 289 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed somewhat local and strongly declining

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Fratercula arctica

Atlantic Puffin

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Gallinago delicata

Wilson’s Snipe

G5

--

X

NA

--

S1S2B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

BBS NE/MATL (NA); MA (8.9,10.9);

MA Breeding Bird Atlas says local and likely increasing; also increasing on MA Breeding Bird Survey routes, but habitat is still very limited

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Gallinula galeata

Common Gallinule

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S1B, S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Gavia immer

Common Loon

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S2B, S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Lakes & Ponds

Gavia stellata

Red-throated Loon

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4N

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Geothlypis philadelphia

Mourning Warbler

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S2B, S2N

 

Young Forests & Shrublands

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Haemorhous purpureus

Purple Finch

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 227 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed fairly widespread and strongly declining

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

G5

--

--

NA

T

S2B, S3N

 

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Histrionicus histrionicus

Harlequin Duck

G4

--

X

NA

--

S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Rocky Coastlines

Hylocichla mustelina

Wood Thrush

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 30 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed very widespread and likely declining

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Ixobrychus exilis

Least Bittern

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Larus argentatus

Herring Gull

G5

--

--

NA

--

S3S4B, S5N

Only a few breeding colonies

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Salt Marsh

Larus atricilla

Laughing Gull

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2B

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Salt Marsh

Larus marinus

Great Black-backed Gull

G5

--

--

NA

--

S3S4B, S5N

Only a few breeding colonies

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Salt Marsh

Limnodromus griseus

Short-billed Dowitcher

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4N

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Mniotilta varia

Black-and-white Warbler

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 52 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed very widespread and likely declining

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Morus bassanus

Northern Gannet

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Numenius borealis

Eskimo Curlew

GH

--

--

NA

--

SX

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Numenius phaeopus

Whimbrel

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Nycticorax nycticorax

Black-crowned Night-Heron

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Only a few breeding colonies

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Leach’s Storm-Petrel

G5

--

--

NA

E

S1B, S4N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Oreothlypis ruficapilla

Nashville Warbler

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4B

 

Young Forests & Shrublands

Parkesia motacilla

Louisiana Waterthrush

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Stewardship Species

Synonym: Seiurus motacilla

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallow

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2B

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 64 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Phalacrocorax auritus

Double-crested Cormorant

G5

--

--

NA

--

S3B, S5N

Only a few breeding colonies

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Lakes & Ponds

Phalaropus fulicarius

Red Phalarope

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Phalaropus lobatus

Red-necked Phalarope

G4G5

--

--

NA

--

S4N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Eastern Towhee

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Stewardship Species

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 30 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed nearly ubiquitous and likely declining

Young Forests & Shrublands

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Piranga olivacea

Scarlet Tanager

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2B

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Salt Marsh

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed Grebe

G5

--

X

NA

E

S1B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Lakes & Ponds

Pooecetes gramineus

Vesper Sparrow

G5

--

X

NA

T

S1S2B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Porzana carolina

Sora

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2S3B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Progne subis

Purple Martin

G5

--

--

NA

--

S1B

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 14 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed very local and strongly declining

Grasslands

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Puffinus griseus

Sooty Shearwater

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Puffinus puffinus

Manx Shearwater

G5

--

--

NA

--

SXB, S3S4N

 

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Rallus elegans

King Rail

G4

--

X

NA

T

S1B, S1N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparia riparia

Bank Swallow

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 57 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed somewhat local and strongly declining

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Scolopax minor

American Woodcock 

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Shorebird Plan

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Shrub Swamps

Setophaga americana

Northern Parula

G5

--

X

NA

T

S1B, S4M

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Riparian Forest

Setophaga cerulea

Cerulean Warbler

G4

--

X

NA

--

S1B, S2M

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Riparian Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Setophaga discolor

Prairie Warbler

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Synonym: Dendroica discolor

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Young Forests & Shrublands

Setophaga pensylvanica

Chestnut-sided Warbler

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5B

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 31 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed widespread and likely declining

Young Forests & Shrublands

Setophaga striata

Blackpoll Warbler

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S1B, S5M

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Somateria mollissima

Common Eider

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B, S5N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Rocky Coastlines

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 69 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed widespread and likely declining

Young Forests & Shrublands

Sterna dougallii

Roseate Tern

G4T3

LE

X

NA

E

S2B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Sterna hirundo

Common Tern

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S3B, S4N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Sterna paradisaea

Arctic Tern

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S1B, S1S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Sternula antillarum

Least Tern

G4

--

X

NA

SC

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Highest priority Waterbird Plan

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Sturnella magna

Eastern Meadowlark

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 316 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Grasslands

Salt Marsh

Toxostoma rufum

Brown Thrasher

G5

--

 

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Stewardship Species

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 265 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed fairly widespread and strongly declining

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Young Forests & Shrublands

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3B, S3N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

MA Breeding Bird Atlas deems it local and strongly increasing

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Salt Marsh

Tyto alba

Barn Owl

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S2B, S2N

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Grasslands

Salt Marsh

Vermivora chrysoptera

Golden-winged Warbler

G4

--

X

NA

E

S1B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Young Forests & Shrublands

Vermivora cyanoptera

Blue-winged Warbler

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3S4B

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

PIF Watch List Species

Young Forests & Shrublands

Zonotrichia albicollis

White-throated Sparrow

G5

--

--

NA

--

S5

PIF Stewardship Species

MA Breeding Bird Atlas: down 182 blocks since 1974-1979, deemed local and strongly declining

Young Forests & Shrublands

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

 

Mammals

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Alces americanus

Moose

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

 

Large Unfragmented Landscape Mosaics

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Balaenoptera borealis

Sei Whale

G3

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

G3G4

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

G3G4

LE

X

NA

E

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Eptesicus fuscus

Big Brown Bat

G5

--

X

NA

--

S5

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Springs, Caves & Mines

Eubalaena glacialis

Northern Atlantic Right Whale

G1

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Glaucomys sabrinus

Northern Flying Squirrel

G5

--

--

NA

--

S2?

Steep decline in past 40 years;

associated with boreal forests

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Lasionycteris noctivagans

Silver-haired Bat

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3M

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Lasiurus borealis

Eastern Red Bat

G5

--

X

NA

--

S3M

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Lasiurus cinereus

Hoary Bat

G5

--

X

NA

--

S2B

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Lynx rufus

Bobcat

G5

--

X

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Large Unfragmented Landscape Mosaics

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback Whale

G4

LE

X

NA

E

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Myotis leibii

Eastern Small-footed Bat

formerly Small-footed Myotis

G1G3

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Springs, Caves & Mines

Myotis lucifugus

Little Brown Bat

formerly Little Brown Myotis

G3

--

X

NA

E

S5

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Springs, Caves & Mines

Myotis septentrionalis

Northern Long-eared Bat

G2G3

LT

X

NA

E

S4

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Springs, Caves & Mines

Myotis sodalis

Indiana Bat

formerly Indiana Myotis

G2

LE

X

NA

E

SH

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Springs, Caves & Mines

Perimyotis subflavus

Tricolored Bat

G3

--

X

NA

E

S3

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Springs, Caves & Mines

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

G3G4

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Marine & Estuarine Habitats

Sorex dispar

Rock Shrew

G4

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Sorex palustris

Water Shrew

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Vernal Pools

Lakes & Ponds

Forested Swamps

Sylvilagus transitionalis

New England Cottontail

G3

--

X

NA

--

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Young Forests & Shrublands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Forested Swamp

Shrub Swamp

Synaptomys cooperi

Southern Bog Lemming

G5

--

X

NA

SC

S2

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – very high

Peatlands

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Ursus americanus

Black Bear

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

 

Large Unfragmented Landscape Mosaics

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Invertebrates

Click on the common name for a fact sheet outlining the description, habitat, threats, life history, etc. for that species.  

Sponges

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Spongilla aspinosa

Smooth Branched Sponge

G2G3

--

NA

NA

SC

S2?

 

Lakes & Ponds

 

Flatworms

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Seidlia remota

Sunderland Spring Planarian

G1

--

NA

NA

SC

SH

Proposed to go from E to SC.

This name will be proposed;

current name is Polycelis remota

Springs, Caves & Mines

 

Segmented Worms 

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Macrobdella sestertia

New England Medicinal Leech

G2

--

NA

NA

SC

SH

 

 

Lakes & Ponds

 

 

Snails

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Floridobia winkleyi

New England Siltsnail

G3

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Salt Marsh

Littoridinops tenuipes

Henscomb Hydrobe

formerly Coastal Marsh Snail

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Salt Marsh

Marstonia lustrica

Boreal Marstonia

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Pomatiopsis lapidaria

Slender Walker

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Small Streams

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Valvata sincera

Mossy Valvata

formerly Boreal Turret Snail

G5

--

NA

NA

E

SH

 

Lakes & Ponds

 

Freshwater Mussels

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Alasmidonta heterodon

Dwarf Wedgemussel

G1G2

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Alasmidonta undulata

Triangle Floater

G4

--

X

NA

--

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Coastal Plain Ponds

Alasmidonta varicosa

Brook Floater

G3

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Anodonta implicata

Alewife Floater

G5

--

X

NA

--

SU

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Lakes & Ponds

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lampsilis cariosa

Yellow Lampmussel

G3G4

--

X

NA

E

S1S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Lampsilis radiata

Eastern Lampmussel

G5

--

--

NA

--

S4

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – moderate

Connecticut and Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Lakes & Ponds

Coastal Plain Ponds

Leptodea ochracea

Tidewater Mucket

G3G4

--

X

NA

SC

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Coastal Plain Ponds

Ligumia nasuta

Eastern Pondmussel

G4

--

X

NA

SC

S3

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Coastal Plain Ponds

Margaritifera margaritifera

Eastern Pearlshell

G4

--

X

NA

--

SU

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Strophitus undulatus

Creeper

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

 

Crustaceans

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Cambarus bartonii

Appalachian Brook Crayfish

G5

--

NA

NA

--

S2

 

Small Streams

Eubranchipus intricatus

Intricate Fairy Shrimp

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Vernal Pools

Eulimnadia agassizii

Agassiz’s Clam Shrimp

G1G2

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Vernal Pools

Gammarus pseudolimnaeus

Northern Spring Amphipod

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2

 

Springs, Caves & Mines

Limnadia lenticularis

American Clam Shrimp

G4G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Vernal Pools

Stygobromus borealis

Taconic Cave Amphipod

G2G3

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Springs, Caves & Mines

Stygobromus tenuis

Piedmont Groundwater Amphipod

G4T4

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Springs, Caves & Mines

Synurella chamberlaini

Coastal Swamp Amphipod

GNR

--

NA

NA

SC

S1

 

Forested Swamps

 

Dragonflies

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Aeshna subarctica

Subarctic Darner

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Anax longipes

Comet Darner

G5

--

NA

NA

--

S2S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lakes & Ponds

Boyeria grafiana

Ocellated Darner

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Small Streams

Riparian

Forest

Hylogomphus abbreviatus

formerly Gomphus abbreviatus

Spine-crowned Clubtail

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Riparian Forest

Phanogomphus descriptus

formerly Gomphus descriptus

Harpoon Clubtail

G4

--

NA

NA

E

S2

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Riparian Forest

Gomphurus fraternus

formerly Gomphus fraternus

Midland Clubtail

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Phanogomphus quadricolor

formerly Gomphus quadricolor

Rapids Clubtail

G3G4

--

NA

NA

E

S2

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Gomphus vastus

Cobra Clubtail

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Gomphurus ventricosus

formerly Gomphus ventricosus

Skillet Clubtail

G3

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Neurocordulia obsoleta

Umber Shadowdragon

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Neurocordulia yamaskanensis

Stygian Shadowdragon

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Ophiogomphus aspersus

Brook Snaketail

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Riparian Forest

Ophiogomphus carolus

Riffle Snaketail

G5

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Riparian Forest

Rhionaeschna mutata

Spatterdock Darner

G4

--

NA

NA

--

S3

 

Vernal Pools

Lakes & Ponds

Coastal Plain Ponds

Somatochlora elongata

Ski-tipped Emerald

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Somatochlora forcipata

Forcipate Emerald

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Peatlands

Somatochlora georgiana

Coppery Emerald

G3G4

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Peatlands

Somatochlora incurvata

Incurvate Emerald

G4

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Somatochlora kennedyi

Kennedy’s Emerald

G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Peatlands

Somatochlora linearis

Mocha Emerald

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2

 

Small Streams

Riparian Forest

Stylurus amnicola

Riverine Clubtail

G4

--

NA

NA

E

S2

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Riparian Forest

Williamsonia fletcheri

Ebony Boghaunter

G4

--

NA

NA

E

S1S2

 

Peatlands

Williamsonia lintneri

Ringed Boghaunter

G3

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Peatlands

 

Damselflies

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Enallagma carunculatum

Tule Bluet

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Enallagma daeckii

Attenuated Bluet

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Enallagma pictum

Scarlet Bluet

G3

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lakes & Ponds

Enallagma recurvatum

Pine Barrens Bluet

G3

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lakes & Ponds

 

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Cicindela dorsalis

Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle

G3G4T2

LT

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Cicindela duodecimguttata

Twelve-Spotted Tiger Beetle

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Cicindela limbalis

Claybank Tiger Beetle

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S1

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Cicindela marginipennis

Cobblestone Tiger Beetle

G2

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Cicindela patruela

Barrens Tiger Beetle

G3

--

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – low

RSGCN concern – high

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Cicindela puritana

Puritan Tiger Beetle

G1G2

LT

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Cicindela purpurea

Purple Tiger Beetle

G5

--

--

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Grasslands

Cicindela rufiventris hentzii

Hentz’s Red-bellied Tiger Beetle

G5T2

--

X

NA

T

S2

RSGCN responsibility – high

RSGCN concern – very high

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Nicrophorus americanus

American Burying Beetle

G2G3

LE

X

NA

E

S1

RSGCN responsibility – not determined

RSGCN concern – not determined

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

 

Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Abagrotis benjamini

formerly Abagrotis nefascia

Coastal Heathland Cutworm

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Acronicta albarufa

Barrens Dagger Moth

G3G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Apamea inebriata

Drunk Apamea Moth

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Apodrepanulatrix liberaria

New Jersey Tea Inchworm

G3

--

NA

NA

E

S1S2

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Callophrys hesseli

Hessel’s Hairstreak

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

Callophrys irus

Frosted Elfin

G3

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Callophrys lanoraieensis

Bog Elfin

G3G4

--

NA

NA

T

S1

 

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

Catocala herodias

formerly Catocala herodias gerhardi

Herodias Underwing

G3T3

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Catocala pretiosa pretiosa

Precious Underwing Moth

G4T2

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Chaetaglaea cerata

Waxed Sallow Moth

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S1S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Cicinnus melsheimeri

Melsheimer’s Sack Bearer

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Cingilia catenaria

Chain Dot Geometer

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Peatlands

Shrub Swamps

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Cycnia collaris

formerly Cycnia inopinatus

Collared Cycnia

formerly Unexpected Cycnia

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Grasslands

Dargida rubripennis

The Pink Streak

G3G4

--

NA

NA

T

S1S2

 

Grasslands

Eacles imperialis

Imperial Moth

G5

--

NA

NA

T

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Erora laeta

Early Hairstreak

GU

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Erynnis persius

Persius Duskywing

G5T1T3

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Euchlaena madusaria

Scrub Euchlaena

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Euphyes dion

Dion Skipper

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Apantesis phyllira

formerly Grammia phyllira

Phyllira Tiger Moth

G4

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Hemaris gracilis

Slender Clearwing Sphinx Moth

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Shrub Swamps

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/ Talus Slopes

Hemileuca maia

Buck Moth

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Heterocampa varia

Sandplain Heterocampa

G3G4

--

NA

NA

T

S1S2

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Grasslands

Hypomecis buchholzaria

Buchholz’s Gray

G3G4

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Lithophane viridipallens

Pale Green Pinion Moth

G5

--

NA

NA

SC

S1S3

 

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Lycia rachelae

Twilight Moth

G4G5

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Lycia ypsilon

Woolly Gray

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Metarranthis apiciaria

Barrens Metarranthis

G1G3

--

NA

NA

E

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Metarranthis pilosaria

Heath Metarranthis

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Shrub Swamps

Neoligia semicana

Northern Brocade Moth

G2G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S1S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Salt Marsh

Papaipema appassionata

Pitcher Plant Borer

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Papaipema sp. 2

Ostrich Fern Borer

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Riparian Forest

Papaipema stenocelis

Chain Fern Borer

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Peatlands

Shrub Swamps

Papaipema sulphurata

Water-willow Stem Borer

G2

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Small Streams

Shrub Swamps

Photedes inops

Cordgrass Borer

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Salt Marsh

Pieris oleracea

Mustard White

G4G5

--

NA

NA

T

S2

 

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Psectraglaea carnosa

Pink Sallow Moth

G3

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Ptichodis bistrigata

Southern Ptichodis

G3

--

NA

NA

T

S1S2

 

Grasslands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Pyrrhia aurantiago

Orange Sallow Moth

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S3

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Speranza exonerata

Pine Barrens Speranza

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Stenoporpia polygrammaria

Faded Gray Geometer

GU

--

NA

NA

T

S1

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Sympistis riparia

Dune Sympistis

G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Zale lunifera

Pine Barrens Zale

G3G4

--

NA

NA

SC

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Zanclognatha martha

Pine Barrens Zanclognatha

G4

--

NA

NA

T

S2S3

 

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

 

Bees 

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Anthophora walshii

Walsh’s Anthophora

GNR

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

Grasslands

Bombus affinis

Rusty-patched Bumble Bee

G1

--

NA

NA

--

SH

 

 

Bombus fervidus

Yellow Bumble Bee

G4?

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

 

Bombus pensylvanicus

American Bumble Bee

G3G4

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

 

Bombus terricola

Yellow-banded Bumble Bee

G2G4

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

 

Epeoloides pilosula

Macropis Cuckoo Bee

G1

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

Extremely rare parasite on Lysimachia specialist bees

Young Forests & Shrublands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Macropis ciliata

Ciliary Oil-collecting Bee

GNR

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

Grasslands

Macropis nuda

Naked Oil-collecting Bee

GNR

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

Grasslands

Macropis patellata

Patellar Oil-collecting Bee

GNR

--

NA

NA

--

SNR

 

Grasslands

 

Plants 

Scientific Name Common Name Globally Rare Federal List RSGCN NEPCoP MESA State Rank Other Concerns/
Comments
SWAP Habitats

Actaea racemosa

Black Cohosh

G4

--

NA

IND

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Adlumia fungosa

Climbing Fumitory

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Agalinis acuta

Sandplain Gerardia

G1

LE

NA

1

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Agastache scrophulariifolia

Purple Giant Hyssop

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Ageratina aromatica

Lesser Snakeroot

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Agrimonia parviflora

Small-flowered Agrimony

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Agrimonia pubescens

Hairy Agrimony

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Alnus viridis ssp. crispa

Mountain Alder

G5TNR

--

NA

--

SC

S2

Proposed to go from T to SC

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Amaranthus pumilus

Seabeach Amaranth

G2

LT

NA

4

--

SH

 

Coastal Dunes, Beaches & Small Islands

Amelanchier bartramiana

Bartram's Shadbush

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Shrub Swamps

Amelanchier sanguinea

Roundleaf Shadbush

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Amphicarpum amphicarpon

Annual Peanutgrass

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Aplectrum hyemale

Putty-root

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Arabidopsis lyrata

Lyre-leaved Rock-cress

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Arceuthobium pusillum

Eastern Dwarf Mistletoe

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Peatlands

Arethusa bulbosa

Arethusa

G4

--

NA

3(a)

T

S2

 

Peatlands

Arisaema dracontium

Green Dragon

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Aristida purpurascens

Purple Needlegrass

G5

--

NA

2(a)

T

S2

 

Grasslands

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Aristida tuberculosa

Seabeach Needlegrass

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Asclepias purpurascens

Purple Milkweed

G5?

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Asclepias verticillata

Whorled Milkweed

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Asplenium montanum

Mountain Spleenwort

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Asplenium ruta-muraria

Wall-rue Spleenwort

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Betula pumila

Swamp Birch

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Shrub Swamps

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Bidens eatonii

Eaton's Beggar-ticks

G3

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Bidens hyperborea

Estuary Beggar-ticks

G4T2T4

--

NA

--

E

S1

The variety hyperborea is the taxon present in MA;

this taxon is G4T2T4.

Riparian Forest

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Blephilia ciliata

Downy Wood-mint

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Blephilia hirsuta

Hairy Wood-mint

G5?

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Boechera laevigata

Smooth Rock-cress

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Riparian Forest

Boechera missouriensis

Green Rock-cress

G5

--

NA

2(a)

T

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Botrychium simplex

Least Moonwort

G5

--

NA

--

--

S1S2

 

Marshes and Wet Meadows

Botrychium tenebrosum

Swamp Moonwort

G5T4?Q

--

NA

IND.

--

S1S2

 

Forested Swamps

Calamagrostis pickeringii

Pickering’s Reedgrass

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa

New England Northern Reed Grass

G5T5

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Calystegia spithamaea

Upright Bindweed

G4G5

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Grasslands

Cardamine dentata

Fen Cuckoo-flower

G5T5

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Cardamine douglassii

Purple Cress

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Riparian Forest

Cardamine longii

Long's Bittercress

G3?

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Carex alopecoidea

Foxtail Sedge

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex backii

Back's Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Carex baileyi

Bailey's Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex bushii

Bush's Sedge

G4

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Carex castanea

Chestnut-colored Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Forested Swamps

Young Forests & Shrublands

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Carex chordorrhiza

Creeping Sedge

G5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex davisii

Davis' Sedge

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Carex exilis

Bog Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

--

S2S3

3 current occurrences in MA

Peatlands

Carex formosa

Handsome Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

T

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex glaucodea

Glaucescent Sedge

G5T5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Carex gracilescens

Slender Woodland Sedge

G5?

--

NA

2

E

SH

 

Upland Forest

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex grayi

Gray's Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Carex hitchcockiana

Hitchcock's Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Carex lenticularis

Shore Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

T

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Carex livida

Livid Sedge

G5

--

NA

2

E

SH

 

Peatlands

Carex lupuliformis

False Hop Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Vernal Pools

Carex mesochorea

Midland Sedge

G4G5

--

NA

IND

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Carex michauxiana

Michaux's Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows
Peatlands

Carex mitchelliana

Mitchell's Sedge

G4

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Salt Marsh

Carex oligocarpa

Rich Woods Sedge

G4

--

NA

2

T

S1?

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Carex oligosperma

Few-seeded Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

E

S2

 

Peatlands

Carex pauciflora

Few-flowered Sedge

 

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Carex polymorpha

Variable Sedge

G3

--

NA

1

E

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Grasslands

Carex schweinitzii

Schweinitz's Sedge

G3G4

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex sterilis

Dioecious Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex striata

Walter's Sedge

G4G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Peatlands

Carex tetanica

Fen Sedge

G4G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex trichocarpa

Hairy-fruited Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Carex tuckermanii

Tuckerman's Sedge

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Vernal Pools

Carex typhina

Cat-tail Sedge

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Celastrus scandens

American Bittersweet

G5

--

NA

IND

T

S3

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Young Forests and Shrublands

Cerastium nutans

Nodding Chickweed

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Chamaelirium luteum

Devil's-bit

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Chenopodium foggii

Fogg's Goosefoot

G2G3

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Claytonia virginica

Narrow-leaved Spring-beauty

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Clematis occidentalis

Purple Clematis

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Coeloglossum viride

Long-bracted Green Orchid

G5

--

NA

--

--

S3

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

Young Forests & Shrublands

Coleataenia longifolia ssp. longifolia

Long-leaved Panic-grass

G5T5?

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Conioselinum chinense

Hemlock-parsley

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Corallorhiza odontorhiza

Autumn Coral-root

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Corema conradii

Broom Crowberry

G4

--

NA

--

--

S3

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Grasslands

Coreopsis rosea

Rose Coreopsis

G3

--

NA

1

--

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Crassula aquatica

Shore Pygmy-weed

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Crataegus bicknellii

Bicknell's Hawthorn

NA

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Crepidomanes intricatum

Appalachian Bristle-fern

G4G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Crocanthemum dumosum

Bushy Rockrose

G3

--

NA

1

--

S3

 

Grasslands

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Cryptogramma stelleri

Fragile Rock-brake

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Cynoglossum virginianum var. boreale

Northern Wild Comfrey

G5T4T5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Cyperus engelmannii

Engelmann's Flatsedge

NA

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Cyperus houghtonii

Houghton's Flatsedge

G4?

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Grasslands

Cypripedium arietinum

Ram's Head Lady's-slipper

G3

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Cypripedium parviflorum

Yellow Lady's-slipper

G5

--

NA

2/IND

E

S1

Includes all varieties found in MA; NEPCoP status is 2 for var. makasin, IND for var. parviflorum

Currently, only var. makasin is listed; adding the other two varieties is proposed

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Cypripedium reginae

Showy Lady's-slipper

G4

--

NA

3(a)

E

S2

 

Forested Swamps

Shrub Swamps

Peatlands

Cystopteris laurentiana

Laurentian Bladderfern

G3

--

NA

1

--

S2S3

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. glauca

Tussock Hairgrass

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

G-rank is for the species as a whole; no G-rank is available for ssp. glauca.

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparian Forest

Desmodium cuspidatum

Large-bracted Tick-trefoil

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Dichanthelium dichotomum ssp. mattamuskeetense

Mattamuskeet Panic-grass

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

G-rank is for the species as a whole; no G-rank is available for ssp. mattamuskeetense.

Coastal Plain Ponds

Dichanthelium commonsianum

formerly Dichanthelium ovale ssp. pseudopubescens

Commons' Rosette-grass

formerly Commons’ Panic-grass

G5

--

NA

2

SC

S3

G-rank is for the species as a whole; no G-rank is available for ssp. pseudopubescens.

Grasslands

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Dichanthelium scabriusculum

Rough Rosette-grass

formerly Rough Panic-grass

G4

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Grassland

Dichanthelium wrightianum

Wright's Rosette-grass

formerly Wright's Panic-grass

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Doellingeria infirma

Cornel-leaved Aster

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Elatine americana

American Waterwort

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Eleocharis diandra

Wright's Spike-sedge

G2

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Eleocharis intermedia

Matted Spike-sedge

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forests

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Eleocharis microcarpa var. filiculmis

Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

G-rank is for the species as a whole; no G-rank is available for var. filiculmis.

Coastal Plain Ponds

Grasslands

Eleocharis ovata

Ovate Spike-sedge

G5

--

NA

IND

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Eleocharis quinqueflora

Few-flowered Spike-sedge

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Eleocharis tricostata

Three-angled Spike-sedge

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Elymus villosus

Hairy Wild Rye

G5

--

NA

IND

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Equisetum scirpoides

Dwarf Scouring-rush

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Riparian Forest

Eragrostis frankii

Frank's Lovegrass

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Riparian Forest

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Eriocaulon parkeri

Parker's Pipewort

G3

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Eriophorum gracile

Slender Cotton-grass

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

Common name will be proposed to change; current name is Slender Cottongrass

Peatlands

Eupatorium novae-angliae

New England Boneset

G5T1

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Galearis spectabilis 

Showy Orchid

G5

--

NA

--

--

S2S3

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA; 7 current occurrences

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Galium boreale

Northern Bedstraw

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Galium labradoricum

Labrador Bedstraw

G5

--

NA

3(b)

T

S2

 

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Shrub Swamps

Gamochaeta purpurea

Purple Cudweed

G5

--

NA

4

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Gentiana andrewsii

Andrews' Bottle Gentian

G5?

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparian Forest

Gentiana linearis

Narrow-leaved Gentian

G4G5

--

NA

--

--

S2?

8 current occurrences in MA

Peatlands

Riparian Forests

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Grasslands

Geum fragarioides

Barren Strawberry

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Goodyera repens

Dwarf Rattlesnake-plantain

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Halenia deflexa

Spurred Gentian

G5

--

NA

--

E

SH

 

Riparian Forest

Houstonia longifolia

Long-leaved Bluet

G4G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Huperzia appressa

Appalachian Firmoss

G5

--

NA

IND

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Huperzia selago

Mountain Firmoss

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Hydrastis canadensis

Golden Seal

G3G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Hydrocotyle verticillata

Saltpond Pennywort

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Salt Marsh

Hydrophyllum canadense

Broad Waterleaf

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Hypericum adpressum

Creeping St. John's-wort

G3

--

NA

1

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Hypericum ascyron

Giant St. John's-wort

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Hypericum stragulum

St. Andrew's Cross

G5T4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Ilex montana

Big-leaved Holly

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Isoetes acadiensis

Acadian Quillwort

G3Q

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Isoetes lacustris

Lake Quillwort

G5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Isotria medeoloides

Small Whorled Pogonia

G2?

LT

NA

1

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Juncus debilis

Weak Rush

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Peatlands

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Juncus filiformis

Thread Rush

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Lakes & Ponds

Lachnanthes caroliniana

Redroot

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lathyrus palustris

Marsh-pea

G5

--

NA

--

--

SNR

2 current occurrences in MA

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Grasslands

Lechea pulchella var. moniliformis

Beaded Pinweed

G5T4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis

Saltpond Grass

G5T5

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Salt Marsh

Leymus mollis ssp. mollis

Sea Lyme-grass

G5T5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Liatris novae-angliae

New England Blazing Star

G5?T3

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Grasslands

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Linnaea borealis ssp. americana

American Twinflower

G5T5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Forested Swamps

Peatlands

Linum intercursum

Sandplain Flax

G4

--

NA

--

--

S3

 

Grasslands

Linum medium var. texanum

Stiff Yellow Flax

G5T5

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Grasslands

Liparis liliifolia

Lily-leaf Twayblade

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Liparis loeselii

Loesel’s Twayblade

G5

--

NA

--

--

SNR

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Lakes & Ponds

Lipocarpha micrantha

Dwarf Bulrush

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lakes & Ponds

Lobelia siphilitica

Great Blue Lobelia

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Lonicera hirsuta

Hairy Honeysuckle

G4G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Ludwigia polycarpa

Many-fruited Seedbox

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Ludwigia sphaerocarpa

Round-fruited Seedbox

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Lakes & Ponds

Lupinus perennis

Wild Lupine

G5

--

NA

3(a)

--

S3S4

Rapid decline, due to woody succession

and fire suppression

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Luzula parviflora ssp. melanocarpa

Black-fruited Woodrush

G5T5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Lycopodiella alopecuroides

Foxtail Clubmoss

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Lycopus rubellus

Taper-leaf Water-horehound

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1S2

 

Forested Swamps

Small Streams

Lygodium palmatum

Climbing Fern

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Forested Swamps

Shrub Swamps

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Magnolia virginiana

Sweet Bay

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Malaxis bayardii

Bayard's Adder's-mouth

G1G2

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Pitch Pine-Oak Upland Forest

Grasslands

Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda

White Adder's-mouth

G4Q

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Peatlands

Malaxis unifolia

Green Adder’s Mouth

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2?

 

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Mertensia maritima

Oysterleaf

G5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Milium effusum

Woodland Millet

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Mimulus alatus

Winged Monkey-flower

G5

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Riparian Forest

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Mimulus moschatus

Muskflower

G5

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparian Forest

Minuartia michauxii

Michaux's Sandwort

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Moehringia macrophylla

Large-leaved Sandwort

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Moneses uniflora    

One-flowered Pyrola

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S2S3

 

Shrub Swamps

Forested Swamps

Morus rubra

Red Mulberry

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Myriophyllum alterniflorum

Slender Water-milfoil

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Myriophyllum farwellii

Farwell's Water-milfoil

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Myriophyllum pinnatum

Pinnate Water-milfoil

G5

--

NA

2

SC

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Myriophyllum verticillatum

Whorled Water-milfoil

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Nabalus serpentarius

Lion's Foot

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Neottia bifolia

Southern Twayblade

G4

--

NA

2

T

S1

 

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

Neottia cordata

Heartleaf Twayblade

G5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Nuphar microphylla

Tiny Cow-lily

G5T4T5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Oligoneuron album

Upland White Aster

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Ophioglossum pusillum

Adder's Tongue Fern

G5

--

NA

3(a)

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Peatlands

Opuntia humifusa

Eastern Prickly Pear

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Orontium aquaticum

Golden Club

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Peatlands

Orthilia secunda

One-sided Wintergreen

G5

--

NA

--

--

SNR

Substantial decline;

possibly only 2 current occurrences in MA

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Oxalis violacea

Violet Wood-sorrel

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Panax quinquefolius

American Ginseng

G3G4

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Panicum philadelphicum ssp. gattingeri

Gattinger's Panic-grass

G4

--

NA

IND

SC

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Grasslands

Panicum philadelphicum ssp. philadelphicum

Philadelphia Panic-grass

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

G-rank is for Panicum gattingeri; the G-rank for the taxon P. philadelphicum ssp. philadelphicum has not been determined.

Coastal Plain Ponds

Paronychia argyrocoma

Silverling

G4

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Pedicularis lanceolata

Swamp Lousewort

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Shrub Swamps

Penstemon hirsutus

Hairy Beard-tongue

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Persicaria puritanorum

Pondshore Smartweed

NA

--

NA

2

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Persicaria setacea

Swamp Smartweed

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Petasites frigidus var. palmatus

Sweet Coltsfoot

G5T5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Platanthera aquilonis

North Wind Orchid

G5

--

NA

--

--

SNR

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Forested Swamps

Platanthera cristata

Crested Fringed Orchid

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Platanthera dilatata

Leafy White Orchid

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Peatlands

Platanthera flava var. herbiola

Pale Green Orchid

G4?T4Q

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Platanthera hookeri

Hooker’s Orchid

G4

--

NA

--

--

S2?

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

3 current occurrences

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Platanthera huronensis

Northern Green Orchid

G5T5?

--

NA

IND

--

S2?

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

Synonym: Platanthera hyperborea var. huronensis

Peatlands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparian Forests

Platanthera  macrophylla

Large Round-leaved Orchid

G5T4

--

NA

--

--

S2?

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

4 current occurrences

Synonym:  Platanthera orbiculata var. macrophylla

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Platanthera orbiculata

Round-leaved Orchid

G5

--

NA

--

--

S1S2

Part of general pattern of significant decline

in orchids in MA

5 current occurrences

Peatlands

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Poa saltuensis ssp. languida

Drooping Speargrass

G5

--

NA

2

E

S2

G-rank is for the species as a whole; no G-rank is available for ssp. languida.

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Polygonum glaucum

Sea-beach Knotweed

G3

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Polystichum braunii

Braun's Holly-fern

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Populus heterophylla

Swamp Cottonwood

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Vernal Pools

Potamogeton confervoides

Tuckerman’s Pondweed

G4

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Peatlands

Potamogeton friesii

Fries' Pondweed

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Potamogeton gemmiparus

Budding Pondweed

G5T3

--

NA

1

--

S2?

 

Lakes & Ponds

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Potamogeton hillii

Hill's Pondweed

G3

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Lakes & Ponds

Potamogeton ogdenii

Ogden's Pondweed

G1G2

--

NA

1

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Potamogeton strictifolius

Straight-leaved Pondweed

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Potamogeton vaseyi

Vasey's Pondweed

G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Prunus pumila var. depressa

Sandbar Cherry

G5T5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Pyrola asarifolia ssp. asarifolia

Pink Pyrola

G5T5

--

NA

--

E

SH

 

Peatlands

Forested Swamps

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Forested Swamps

Quercus muehlenbergii

Yellow Oak

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Ranunculus micranthus

Small-flowered Buttercup

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Ranunculus pensylvanicus

Bristly Buttercup

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Rhexia mariana

Maryland Meadow Beauty

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Rhododendron maximum

Great Laurel

G5

--

NA

--

T

S1S2

 

Forested Swamps

Peatlands

Rhynchospora capillacea

Capillary Beak-sedge

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Rhynchospora inundata

Inundated Horned-sedge

G4?

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Rhynchospora nitens

Short-beaked Bald-sedge

G4?

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Rhynchospora scirpoides

Long-beaked Bald-sedge

G4

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Rhynchospora torreyana

Torrey's Beak-sedge

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Ribes lacustre

Bristly Black Currant

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Rosa acicularis ssp. sayi

Northern Prickly Rose

G5T5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Rotala ramosior

Toothcup

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Lakes & Ponds

Rumex pallidus

Seabeach Dock

G4

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Rumex verticillatus

Swamp Dock

G5

--

NA

--

T

S1S2

 

Forested Swamps

Riparian Forest

Shrub Swamps

Sabatia campanulata

Slender Marsh Pink

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Sabatia kennedyana

Plymouth Gentian

G3

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Sabatia stellaris

Sea Pink

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Sagittaria cuneata

Wapato

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Large & Mid-sized Rivers

Sagittaria montevidensis ssp. spongiosa

Estuary Arrowhead

G5T4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Sagittaria teres

Terete Arrowhead

G3

--

NA

1

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Salix exigua ssp. interior

Sandbar Willow

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Sanicula canadensis

Canadian Sanicle

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Forested Swamps

Sanicula odorata

Clustered Sanicle

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Riparian Forest

Scheuchzeria palustris

Pod-grass

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Peatlands

Scirpus ancistrochaetus

Northeastern Bulrush

G3

LE

NA

1

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Scirpus longii

Long's Bulrush

G2G3

--

NA

1

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Scleria pauciflora

Papillose Nut-sedge

G5

--

NA

2

E

S2

 

Grasslands

Scleria triglomerata

Tall Nut-sedge

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Sclerolepis uniflora

One-flower Sclerolepis

G4

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Senna hebecarpa

Wild Senna

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Setaria parviflora

Bristly Foxtail

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica

Wild Pink

G5T4T5

--

NA

--

--

S2S3

5 current occurrences in MA

Grasslands

Young Forests & Shrublands

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Sisyrinchium fuscatum

Sandplain Blue-eyed Grass

G5?

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Grasslands

Sisyrinchium mucronatum

Slender Blue-eyed Grass

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Solidago macrophylla

Large-leaved Goldenrod

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S2

Proposed to go from T to SC on the MESA list

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Solidago simplex ssp. randii var. monticola

Rand's Goldenrod

G5TNR

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Sorbus decora

Northern Mountain-ash

G4G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Sparganium natans

Small Bur-reed

G5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Lakes & Ponds

Spartina cynosuroides

Salt Reedgrass

G5

--

NA

2

T

S2

 

Salt Marsh

Sphenopholis nitida

Shining Wedgegrass

G5

--

NA

2(a)

T

S2

 

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Sphenopholis pensylvanica

Swamp Oats

G4

--

NA

2

T

S1S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Spiranthes romanzoffiana

Hooded Ladies'-tresses

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Spiranthes vernalis

Grass-leaved Ladies'-tresses

G5

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Grasslands

Sporobolus neglectus

Small Dropseed

G5

--

NA

2

E

S2

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Suaeda calceoliformis

American Sea-blite

G5

--

NA

2

SC

S2S3

 

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Suaeda maritima ssp. richii

Rich’s Sea-blite

G5T3

--

NA

1

--

S2S3

 

Salt Marsh

Coastal Dunes/Beaches/Small Islands

Symphoricarpos albus var. albus

Snowberry

G5T5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Symphyotrichum concolor

Eastern Silvery Aster

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Symphyotrichum praealtum

Willow Aster

G5

--

NA

2

--

S1

Recently rediscovered in MA; 1 current occurrence

Grasslands

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Crooked-stem Aster

G4G5

--

NA

2

SC

S2

 

Riparian Forest

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Symphyotrichum tradescantii

Tradescant's Aster

G4Q

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Connecticut & Merrimack Mainstems

Thuja occidentalis

Arborvitae

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Forested Swamps

Tipularia discolor

Cranefly Orchid

G4G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Central Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Trichostema brachiatum

False Pennyroyal

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Triosteum perfoliatum

Broad Tinker's-weed

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Grasslands

Triphora trianthophoros

Nodding Pogonia

G3G4

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Tripsacum dactyloides

Northern Gama-grass

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Salt Marsh

Trisetum spicatum

Narrow False Oats

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Utricularia resupinata

Resupinate Bladderwort

G4

--

NA

--

T

S2

 

Lakes & Ponds

Utricularia subulata

Slender Bladderwort

G5

--

NA

2

SC

S3

 

Coastal Plain Ponds

Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus

Mountain Cranberry

G5T5

--

NA

3(b)

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Verbena simplex

Narrow-leaved Vervain

G5

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Veronica catenata

Sessile Water-speedwell

NA

--

NA

2

E

S1

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver's-root

G4

--

NA

IND

T

S2

 

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Viburnum rafinesquianum

Downy Arrowwood

G5

--

NA

--

E

S1

 

Northern Hardwoods-Spruce-Fir Upland Forest

Transitional Hardwoods-White Pine Upland Forest

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Viola adunca

Sand Violet

G5

--

NA

--

SC

S3

 

Grasslands

Viola brittoniana

Britton's Violet

G4G5

--

NA

1/2

T

S1

Includes Viola pectinata; NEPCoP status for V. brittoniana is 2; status for V. pectinata is 1.

Marshes & Wet Meadows

Riparian Forest

Woodsia glabella

Smooth Woodsia

G5

--

NA

2(a)

E

S1

 

Rock Cliffs/Ridgetops/Talus Slopes

Abbreviations

  • Global Rank:  These are the conservation status ranks as defined by NatureServe (NatureServe 2014).  Ranks considered globally rare (G1 through G3G4) are in bold in the table above.

 

Basic Ranks

Rank

Definition

GX

Presumed Extinct (species)—Not located despite intensive searches and virtually no likelihood of rediscovery.

Eliminated (ecological communities)—Eliminated throughout its range, with no restoration potential due to extinction of dominant or characteristic species.

GH

Possibly Extinct (species)—Missing; known from only historical occurrences but still some hope of rediscovery.

Presumed Eliminated—(Historic, ecological communities) - Presumed eliminated throughout its range, with no or virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered, but with the potential for restoration, for example, American Chestnut (Forest).

G1

Critically Imperiled—At very high risk of extinction due to extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer populations), very steep declines, or other factors.

G2

Imperiled—At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors.

G3

Vulnerable—At moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors.

G4

Apparently Secure—Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.

G5

Secure—Common; widespread and abundant.

 

Variant Ranks

Rank

Definition

G#G#

Range Rank—A numeric range rank (e.g., G2G3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty in the status of a species or community. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank (e.g., GU should be used rather than G1G4).

GU

Unrankable—Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends. Whenever possible, the most likely rank is assigned and the question mark qualifier is added (e.g., G2?) to express uncertainty, or a range rank (e.g., G2G3) is used to delineate the limits (range) of uncertainty.

GNR

Unranked—Global rank not yet assessed.

GNA

Not Applicable—A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species is not a suitable target for conservation activities.

 

Rank Qualifiers

Rank

Definition

?

Inexact Numeric Rank—Denotes inexact numeric rank (e.g., G2?)

Q

Questionable taxonomy—Taxonomic distinctiveness of this entity at the current level is questionable; resolution of this uncertainty may result in change from a species to a subspecies or hybrid, or the inclusion of this taxon in another taxon, with the resulting taxon having a lower-priority conservation priority.

C

Captive or Cultivated Only—At present extant only in captivity or cultivation, or as a reintroduced population not yet established.

 

Infraspecific Taxon Conservation Status Ranks
Infraspecific taxa refer to subspecies, varieties and other designations below the level of the species. Infraspecific taxon status ranks (T-ranks) apply to plants and animal species only; these T-ranks do not apply to ecological communities.

Rank

Definition

T#

Infraspecific Taxon (trinomial)—The status of infraspecific taxa (subspecies or varieties) are indicated by a "T-rank" following the species' global rank. Rules for assigning T-ranks follow the same principles outlined above for global conservation status ranks. For example, the global rank of a critically imperiled subspecies of an otherwise widespread and common species would be G5T1. A T-rank cannot imply the subspecies or variety is more abundant than the species as a whole-for example, a G1T2 cannot occur. A vertebrate animal population, such as those listed as distinct population segments under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, may be considered an infraspecific taxon and assigned a T-rank; in such cases a Q is used after the T-rank to denote the taxon's informal taxonomic status.

 

  • Federal List:  Legal status under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.

LE: endangered. A species "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range."
LT: threatened. A species "likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

  • RSGCN: Species on the regional list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., and the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee, 2013). 
  • NEPCoP: Status in the 2013 New England Flora Conservanda (Brumback and Gerke 2013).  The numbers refer to the divisions designated in the Flora Conservanda.

Division 1: Globally rare taxa occurring in New England.
Division 2: Regionally rare taxa.  Generally, these taxa have 20 or fewer current occurrences in the region.  Some Division 2 taxa may have more than 20 occurrences, but they are included because they are “vulnerable to extirpation due to other important factors (population size and trends, area of occupancy, overall viability, geographic distribution, habitat rarity and integrity, and/or degree of protection).”  Taxa in this last category are labeled 2(a).
Division 3: Locally rare taxa.  “These taxa may be declining in a significant part of their range in New England, or may have one or more occurrences of biological, ecological, or possible genetic significance.  Division 3(a) are those taxa that have documented decline in a substantial portion of their range in New England, e.g. southern New England…. Division 3(b) taxa are those that, based on their biology and geography within New England, have populations that are disjunct to such a degree that genetic isolation is suspected….For Division 3(b), only selected occurrences in a particular state are of conservation concern for the purposes of the Flora Conservanda list, not all occurrences of the taxon throughout New England.”  Only when a 3(a) or 3(b) status applies to Massachusetts is it listed in this column.
Division 4: Historical taxa.  Not observed in New England in the past 20 to 25 years.
Division Indeterminate (IND): Indeterminate taxa.  These taxa are under review; their regional status is not yet determined.

  • MESA:  Legal status under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MGL c. 131A).

E: Endangered
T: Threatened
SC: Special Concern

  • State Rank:  These are the conservation status ranks as defined by NatureServe (NatureServe, 2014).  Ranks considered rare (S1 through S3S4) are in bold in the table above.

 

Subnational (S) Conservation Status Ranks

Status

Definition

SX

Presumed Extirpated—Species or community is believed to be extirpated from the state/province. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

SH

Possibly Extirpated (Historical)—Species or community occurred historically in the state/province, and there is some possibility that it may be rediscovered. Its presence may not have been verified in the past 20-40 years. A species or community could become SH without such a 20-40 year delay if the only known occurrences in a state/province were destroyed or if it had been extensively and unsuccessfully looked for. The SH rank is reserved for species or communities for which some effort has been made to relocate occurrences, rather than simply using this status for all elements not known from verified extant occurrences.

S1

Critically Imperiled—Critically imperiled in the state/province because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province.

S2

Imperiled—Imperiled in the state/province because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province.

S3

Vulnerable—Vulnerable in the state/province due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.

S4

Apparently Secure—Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.

S5

Secure—Common, widespread, and abundant in the state/province.

SNR

Unranked—State/province conservation status not yet assessed.

SU

Unrankable—Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.

SNA

Not Applicable —A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species is not a suitable target for conservation activities.

S#S#

Range Rank —A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate any range of uncertainty

 

  • Other Concerns/Comments:
    • The RSGCN ranks – low, moderate, high, very high – for regional responsibility and regional concern are derived from Terwilliger Consulting and Northeast Fish and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee, 2013.  These ranks are only available for vertebrates, freshwater mussels, tiger beetles, and federally listed invertebrates.
    • Birds: These notes refer to selected information from the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas, the Breeding Bird Surveys, and various bird conservation plans, where the information influenced the decision to list a species as a SGCN.
    • Synonyms: Recently or commonly used scientific name synonyms are listed here.  If the SGCN is listed under MESA, the names used on the MESA list are given precedence.
    • Other notes are given if relevant to selection as a SGCN.

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