Species Factsheets
Aplectrum hyemale
Puttyroot
State Status: DL
PBS Status: W
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S4
Did You Know?
The roots can be macerated to a paste and applied to boils or used to treat head pains.
Description
Puttyroot (Aplectrum hyemale) is a member of the orchid family.
Rank Justification
Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.
Habitat
Aplectrum is typically found in moist, rich deciduous woods.
Survey Dates
Flowers May - August
Distribution
Threats
Puttyroot's forest habitats have been fragmented by logging and invaded by exotic species. Although the species' worldwide population is considered secure, it is considered rare in Pennsylvania and other states at the edge of its range
Management
Loss of moist, interior forest to agriculture and unsustainable forestry has severely impacted many of the forests where this plant may have existed. Conserving high-quality interior forests where this plant normally grows is key to the protection of this species.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aplectrum+hyemale
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
