PNJPC

Partnerships for NJ Plant Conservation

The mission of Partnerships for New Jersey Plant Conservation is to work with others to protect and preserve the rare and imperiled native plants of New Jersey and their habitats.

HOME

RESOURCES

PNJPC Strategies

NJ Rare Plant Profiles

Botany & Ecology References

Native Plant Nurseries

Links

Bog Asphodel

Photo taken by
Michael Hogan
Fine Art Photography of
Southern New Jersey

Narthecium americanum (Bog asphodel)

TAXONOMY

Like many species, Bog Asphodel has undergone taxonomic review and taxonomic changes. It was known as Abama Americana and Abama Montana. Our species was also considered to be a variety of the European and western Asian Narthecium ossifragrum (var. americanum). It resembles the other three species of Narthecium, but is geographically separated from them as they are from each other. Other than the European and western Asian N. ossifragum, N. californicum is found in Oregon and California and N. asiaticum is found in Asia. Narthecium americanum is generally smaller in size, with smaller structural features than the other species. Some researchers believe that there is some justification for only recognizing one worldwide species.

Due to the recent research on plant families, Narthecium will probably be taken out of the Lily family in future flora manuals. The lily family is now being split up into many families (over 30). Narthecium is considered to be in the Nartheciaceae with Aletris (colic root) and Lophiola (goldencrest).

NJ NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM

The Nature Heritage Program states that the recorded range for N. americanum is New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Two historical occurences in Delaware. One historical occurrence occurs in both North Carolina and South Carolina. In New Jersey, there are numerous locations.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT

This species is a perennial rhizomatous herb with linear equitant basal leaves and an erect stem terminated by a raceme of yellow flowers. The plants can be up to 50 cm tall from stout horizontal rhizomes. The flower consists of three petals and three sepals all yellow and linear up to 9 mm long. The stamens are densely hairy with filiform filaments. The ovary is tapering to the style with a small 3-lobed stigma. The fruits are long pointed reddish-brown capsules up to 14 mm long. Seeds are numerous and narrowly elliptic with elongate filiform tails at each end.

HABITAT

Stone describes the habitat as moist savannas or broad, wet sandy bogs along streams. Jim Stasz stated that plants often grow in quaking bog mats associated with spring seeps. The plant also grows on firm wet substrates that are generally free of standing water but may be periodically flooded for short periods of time. Populations often border white cedar swamps and sometimes are in openings of such swamps. Associated with N. americanum are: Oclemena nemoralis (Ait.) Greene Bog Nodding-Aster, Calamagrostis pickeringii Gray Pickering’s Reed Grass, Calamovilfa brevipilis (Torr.) Scribn. Pine Barren Sand-Reed, Juncus caesariensis Coville New Jersey Rush, Lophiola aurea Ker-Gawl. Goldencrest, Muhlenbergia torreyana (J.A. Schultes) A.S. Hitchc. New Jersey Muhly, Platanthera integra (Nutt.) Gray ex Beck Yellow Fringeless Orchid, Pogonia ophioglossoides (L.) Ker-Gawl. Snake-Mouth Orchid, Rhynchospora oligantha Gray Feather-Bristle Beak Sedge, Schizaea pusilla Pursh Little Curly-Grass Fern, Triantha racemosea (Walt.) Small Coastal False Asphodel, and many species of Sphagnum moss.

BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY

This species in New Jersey flowers in June and July. Seed production is high and although seeds germinate readily, seedlings are rarely encountered in the field. Reproduction of N. americanum is primarily vegetative from rhizomes. The rhizomes can form an extensive turf.

Water movement may be one of the characteristics that Bog Asphodel depends on. It is not found in places where water movement is minimal or stagnant. The plant may be an indicator of flushed habitats. Flooding or continuous surface saturation however may eradicate the plant. Stone stated that Bog Asphodel is one of those species which are exterminated by cranberry culture.

Shading of habitats inhibits flowering of N. americanum.

POPULATION QUALITY

Numerous populations with high EO quality occur in the pinelands. A few sites have been eliminated by conversion to commercial cranberry bogs and at least one population by residential development. Some populations are non-flowering due to shading or due to changes in the hydrology of the site.

THREATS

The greatest threat is disruption of the water regime. Making the habitat wetter or drier will affect it. Flooding by beaver, commercial cranberry growers, and damming streams for recreational use are just some of the uses that can lower or raise water levels and cause the plant problems. Habitat destruction as related to development is a threat to sites near the periphery of the pinelands. Trampling by all-terrain vehicles is a potential problem.

MONITORING

Populations should be evaluated every two or three years. Non-flowering populations need more study to determine what controls flowering. More information is needed about its tolerance to fire and logging. And what effect does succession have on its survival?

MANAGEMENT

Watersheds are critical to the protection of this species. Disruptions of the water regime will eliminate it.

Note: Most of this information was taken from the Element Stewardship Abstract that is available on the internet at http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforest/natural/heritage/textfiles/nartham.txt

Prepared by Bill Olson
Botanical Consultant
Howell, New Jersey 07731
Email Bill Olson

Return To PNJPC Home Page

Return to NJ Pinelands and Down Jersey

Title Design by Elayne A. Leighton -  e.a.leighton@worldnet.att.net