Species Factsheets
Smallanthus uvedalia
Hairy Leafcup
State Status: N
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Rare (PR)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G4G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S3
Did You Know?
This species has been used medicinally for treatment of rheumatism and hair loss.
Description
Hairy leafcup (Smallantus uvedalia) is a coarse perennial herb that can reach up to 2m in height. A member of the aster family, this species produces flower heads that look similar to small sunflowers. The leaves a quite large, up to 40cm , and are rough to the touch. The deeply lobed and coarsely toothed leaves have been said to resemble a bear's paw in outline. Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The flower heads are composed of a brownish-yellow center surrounded by seven to thirteen bright yellow rays. The 5cm flower heads are produced in leafy, branching clusters at the top of the stems and bloom from July to September.
Rank Justification
Vulnerable in the nation or state due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.
PABS
The PA Biological Survey considers the hairy leafcup to be a species of special concern, based on the relatively few occurrences that have been confirmed and the localized distribution. It has been assigned a rarity status of Threatened.
Habitat
In Pennsylvania, it grows in ravines, moist thickets, and along the banks of streams or rivers.
Survey Dates
Flowers July - September
Distribution
Management
Protection of hairy leafcup will require maintenance of known populations and preservation of stream and riverbank habitat. This may include sustaining appropriate hydrology, removal of invasive plants, and establishment of buffers that can moderate the effects of scouring events and run-off. Management of the known sites requires long term monitoring of populations.
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://uswildflowers.com/detail.php?SName=Smallanthus%20uvedalius
- 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.
