Plant Watch List

The Plant Watch List (WL) is an unofficial, non-regulatory list of vascular and non-vascular plants of known or suspected conservation concern that NHESP is interested in tracking.

Species are included on the list for a number of reasons:

1. The species is thought to be rare, declining, or vulnerable, but there is insufficient information on the condition, number and size of populations to make a determination (termed "Uncommon" in the "Reasons" for listing field)
2. The species was removed from the official regulatory list, but the Program believes it still is in need of some conservation attention (termed "MESA-Delisted" in the "Reasons" for listing field)  
3. The species is uncommon and there are uncertainties about the taxonomic status (termed "Taxonomic Issues" in the "Reasons" for listing field)
4. the species is uncommon and its status as a native or an introduced species is undecided (termed "Introduced?" in the "Reasons" for listing field)
5. The species is recently discovered or rediscovered in the Commonwealth and is placed on the Watch List to ensure it is tracked while botanists determine whether it is appropriate for proposal to the MESA List.

Vascular Plant Watch List

MA Vascular Plant Watch List Draft 2026v2.csv

Non-Vascular Plant Watch List

MA Non-Vascular Plant Watch List Draft 2026v3_0.csv

Last updated:	February 10, 2025