Rare Species Guide

  Basis for Former Listing

Adoxa moschatellina (moschatel) has a circumpolar distribution, which means it occurs in arctic, boreal, and north temperate habitats around the world. In spite of this broad distribution, it has a reputation for being rare or uncommon throughout large portions of its range. The narrow geographical and ecological range of the occurrences of A. moschatellina in Minnesota may be a cause for concern. It appears that, in northern Minnesota, the mature mesic hardwood forests where this species occurs are often selectively targeted for intensive forest management. In addition to the pressures of the timber industry, mesic forests in southeastern Minnesota tend to be more vulnerable to invasion by non-native species, particularly Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) and Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn). Adoxa moschatellina was listed as a special concern species in Minnesota in 1984.

  Basis for Delisting

Targeted rare plant surveys over the last two decades increased the known occurrences of A. moschatellina to over 100, with some populations numbering in the thousands of plants. The species is now known to be more common and widely distributed in Minnesota than was once thought, and special concern status is no longer necessary. Adoxa moschatellina was delisted in 2013.

  References and Additional Information

Cochrane, T. S., and P. J. Salamun. 1974. Preliminary reports on the flora of Wisconsin No. 64. Adoxaceae - Moschatel family. Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters 64:247-252.

Holmes, D. S. 2005. Sexual reproduction in British populations of Adoxa moschatellina L. Watsonia 25:265-273.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2012. Statement of need and reasonableness. Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul. 337 pp.