Endemic flora of Alabama
The endemic flora of Alabama comprises plant taxa that are native to and found only within the U.S. state of Alabama. Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states in the United States and supports a number of narrowly distributed plant taxa, especially in habitats such as limestone glades, shale barrens, seepage bogs, canyons, and longleaf pine systems.
Many endemic taxa in Alabama are concentrated in the Coastal Plain and in the Ridge and Valley, Cumberland Plateau, and Appalachian regions. A number of these species are threatened by habitat loss, hydrological alteration, invasive species, forestry practices, and urban development.
This list includes vascular plant taxa generally recognized as endemic to Alabama by contemporary floras, conservation databases, and taxonomic literature. Conservation statuses follow the NatureServe conservation status system unless otherwise noted.
Vascular plants
| Image | Scientific name | Common name(s) | Family | Conservation status | Status system | Distribution in Alabama | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asarum speciosum | Alabama heartleaf; Alabama ginger | Aristolochiaceae | G2 (Imperiled) | NatureServe | Known only from Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties | Formerly treated as Hexastylis speciosa | [1][2][3] | |
| Asarum finzelii | Finzel's heartleaf | Aristolochiaceae | G1 (Critically Imperiled) | NatureServe | Known only from Marshall County | Formerly treated as Hexastylis finzelii | [4][5][6] | |
| Asarum rollinsiae | Rollins' heartleaf | Aristolochiaceae | GH (Possibly Extinct) | NatureServe | Known only from Baldwin County | Formerly treated as Hexastylis rollinsiae | [7][8][9] |
See also
- Flora of Alabama
- Endemism
- List of U.S. state endemic plants
References
- ^ "Asarum speciosum (R.M.Harper) Barringer". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Hexastylis speciosa". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum speciosum". Flora of Alabama. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum finzelii (B.R.Keener) Diamond". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum finzelii". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum finzelii". Flora of Alabama. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum rollinsiae (B.R.Keener & Todia) Diamond". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Hexastylis rollinsiae". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Asarum rollinsiae". Flora of Alabama. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
Bibliography
- Kral, R.; Diamond, A.R.; Ginzbarg, S.L.; Hansen, C.J.; Haynes, R.R.; Keener, B.R.; Lelong, M.G.; Spaulding, D.D.; Woods, M. (2011). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Alabama. Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
- "Flora of the Southeastern United States". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- "NatureServe Explorer". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 17 March 2026.