Species Factsheets
Samolus parviflorus
Water Pimpernel
State Status: TU
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Rare (PR)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5T5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S3
Did You Know?
The young leaves of this species can be eaten in either a raw or cooked manner.
Description
Water pimpernel (Samolus parviflorus) is a small perennial herb, up to 30cm tall, that has several upright, branching stems. This wetland species is a member of the primrose family. The leaves grow at the base of the plant and along the stem in an alternate arrangement. They are oval in shape, have smooth margins, and taper toward the base to a petiole. The leaves are light green and about 7cm long. The flowers are held in a large, open, spike-like cluster at the top of the stem. Parviflorus means “small flowered” and this plant is appropriately named, with flowers only about 3mm wide. Flowers have five white, petal-like lobes and bloom from June to October.
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 pineland pimpernel to be a species of special concern, based on the relatively few occurrences that have been documented and the wetland habitat.
Habitat
In Pennsylvania it grows in seeps and on muddy stream banks, particularly those underlain by diabase.
Survey Dates
Flowers June - October
Distribution
Management
Conservation of water pimpernel will depend upon the protection of existing populations and maintenance of their wetland habitat. This may include removing invasive plants and creating buffers to help protect populations from the effects of run-off or flooding. Sustaining appropriate water levels will also be important for maintaining high quality habitats.
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://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Samolus+parviflorus
- 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.
