Goat Hill Chickweed / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Goat Hill Chickweed (Cerastium velutinum var. villosissimum)

This picture is a closeup of prairie chickweed, showing leaves and one blossom. Photo Credit: Greg Wieland
  • Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Caryophyllaceae
  • State: PA
  • Nature Serve ID: 129541
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/01/1990
Description:

We know almost nothing about this rare variety of Cerastium arvense, or prairie chickweed. Kartesz (1999) recognizes five subspecies of Cerastium arvense, and between them all they are located in nearly every state in the United States, including Alaska, as well as nearly every province in Canada, as well as in Greenland. So what could possibly be rare about a species that is so widespread One of the recognized subspecies (ssp. maximum) occurs only in California and Oregon, while the variety the Center for Plant Conservation is concerned about (var. villosum, or var. villosissimum) is endemic to a single occurrence in Pennsylvania. Very little is known about this taxon, other than the fact that it was collected in 1920 by F. Pennell at a location in Chester county, Pennsylvania. (NYBG 2002; Pennell 1950). Research and Management Summary: A few scientists have isolated biological compounds from Cerastium arvense. Plant Description: The species Cerastium arvense is a hardy perennial that can be found in cold and temperate regions of both the northern and southern hemispheres. This particular variety produces 5-petaled flowers that are white and about 3/8 of an inch wide. Plants can grow to a foot tall, and are found growing individually or in mats up to several yards wide.

Where is Goat Hill Chickweed (Cerastium velutinum var. villosissimum) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Rocky cliffs, grassy openings on serpentine barrens. (Taken from type specimen info. located at NYBG herbarium, (NYBG 2002))

Distribution:

The species Cerastium arvense is found nearly throughout North America. Cerastium arvense var. villosissimum is endemic to a single occurrence in Pennsylvania. (Kartesz 1999)

States & Provinces:

Goat Hill Chickweed can be found in Pennsylvania

Which CPC Partners conserve Goat Hill Chickweed (Cerastium velutinum var. villosissimum)?

  • The New York Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Known from only one site, Goat Hill, PA. Surrounding area is under development pressure.

    • 01/01/2010

    Because this taxon is found at only one location, anything to alter the conditions that favor the plant could threaten it.

    • 01/01/2010

    One site in Pennsylvania.

    • 01/01/2010

    A few scientists have used the species Cerastium arvense to isolate biological compounds. (Dubois et al. 1983, 1984, 1985) Morton (1987) believes that this taxon should be placed in C. velutinum Raf.

    • 01/01/2010

    None known.

    • 01/01/2010

    Any research on the taxonomy, biology, or ecology of this rare taxon would contribute to its conservation. Status survey of all known populations. Monitoring of populations to determine stability.

    • 01/01/2010

    Seed bank, ensuring that the full genetic variability of the known population is captured.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Cerastium velutinum var. villosissimum
    Authority (Pennell) J.K. Morton
    Family Caryophyllaceae
    CPC Number 868
    ITIS 823695
    USDA CEARV6
    Duration
    Common Names Goat Hill chickweed | long-hairy field chickweed | Octoraro Creek chickweed | field chickweed
    Associated Scientific Names Cerastium arvense var. villosissimum | Cerastium velutinum var. villosissimum
    Distribution The species Cerastium arvense is found nearly throughout North America. Cerastium arvense var. villosissimum is endemic to a single occurrence in Pennsylvania. (Kartesz 1999)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Pennsylvania SNR
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    This picture is a closeup of prairie chickweed, showing leaves and one blossom. Photo Credit: Greg Wieland
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Mining bees Andrena alleghaniensis Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena cressonii Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena erigeniae Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena forbesii Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena nasonii Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena perplexa Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena personata Floral Visitor Link
    Mining bees Andrena vicina Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Lasioglossum versatum Floral Visitor Link
    Centris bees Ceratina strenua Floral Visitor Link
    Cuckoo bees Nomada denticulata Floral Visitor Link
    Cuckoo bees Nomada Floral Visitor Link
    Cuckoo bees Nomada Floral Visitor Link
    Leaf-cutting bees Osmia atriventris Floral Visitor Link
    Leaf-cutting bees Osmia pumila Floral Visitor Link
    Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Butterflies & Moths
    Hairstreaks Callophrys augustinus Floral Visitor Link
    Hairstreaks Callophrys mossii schryveri Floral Visitor Link
    Hairstreaks Callophrys sheridanii Floral Visitor Link
    Azures Celastrina humulus hop-ecotype Floral Visitor Link
    Azures Celastrina lucia sidara Floral Visitor Link
    Brush-footed butterflies Chlosyne gorgone Floral Visitor Link
    Brush-footed butterflies Coenonympla tullia Floral Visitor Link
    Blues Cupido amyntula Floral Visitor Link
    Brush-footed butterflies Erebia epipsodea Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis brizo Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis icelus Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis martialis Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis pacuvius Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis persius Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Erynnis telemachus Floral Visitor Link
    Whites Euchloe ausonides Floral Visitor Link
    Whites Euchloe olympia Floral Visitor Link
    Brush-footed butterflies Euphydryas anicia capella Floral Visitor Link
    Blues Glaucopsyche lygdamus Floral Visitor Link
    Sulphurs Nathalis iole Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Oarisma garita Floral Visitor Link
    Skippers Ochlodes sylvanoides Floral Visitor Link
    Brush-footed butterflies Phyciodes pulchella camillus Floral Visitor Link
    Blues Plebejus alupini lutzi Floral Visitor Link
    Blues Plebejus glandon (? tiny leaves) Floral Visitor Link
    Whites Pontia sisymbrii Floral Visitor Link
    Flies
    Bee flies Bombyliids Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Other
    Insects Suspected Pollinator Floral Link

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