BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Epilobium campestre
smooth spike-primrose
| Scientific Name: | Epilobium campestre |
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| English Name: | smooth spike-primrose |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | SU |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 30, 2019 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2019 |
| Reasons: | Three extant occurrences are known for this species in BC, and at least 4,500 to 15,000 plants have been reported. Little information is available that can be used to rank known occurrences, and they occur in highly disturbed vernal pools. The estimated extent of occurrence is 30 square kilometres and the estimated area of occupancy is 12 square kilometres. Both short and long-term habitat and population trends are unknown. Trampling, soil disturbance by cattle and horses, invasive grasses and the modification of the natural hydrological system of these vernal pools are primary threats. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | A = <100 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | In BC, Epilobium pygmaeum is restricted to three vernal pools in the Nicola Valley. The extent of occurrence, calculated using GIS tools, is 30 square kilometres. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | D = 6-25 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | The area of occupancy is 12 square kilometres using a 2km x 2km grid. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | A = 1 - 5 |
| Comments: | Three occurrences are known to be extant: Douglas Lake Ranch near Merrit; Howse Creek in the Nicola Valley and Quilchena Creek (C. Bjork, pers. comm. 2008). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | A = None (zero) |
| Comments: | Little information is available that can be used to rank known occurrences, but the vernal pools where both extant populations were observed in 2007 were described as highly disturbed (C. Bjork pers. comm. 2008). |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | A = None |
| Comments: | There are no known occurrences within protected areas. |
| Population Size: | EF = 2,500 - 100,000 individuals |
| Comments: | At least 4,500-15,000 plants have been reported from Howse Creek (1,000-2,500 plants) and Quilchena Creek (3,500- 12,500 plants) (C. Bjork, pers. comm. 2008). |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | Substantial, imminent threat |
| Comments: | [AB] Trampling and soil disturbance by cattle and horses and invasive plants, especially grasses, are the primary threats to the vernal pools where this species occurs. It appears that the vernal pools occupied by this species have been artificially deepened for watering holes for cattle, disrupting the natural hydrological regime. Plants are now only occupying the upper slopes of these watering holes which retain vernal-pool like hydrology in their receding shorelines, even if the centre of the pool retains standing water through the summer. This is therefore, a somewhat artificial habitat for Epilobium pygmaeum (C. Bjork, pers. comm. 2013). |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | There is not enough information about population or habitat to determine trends. |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Insufficient historical information is available to determine long-term trends. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Comments: | It is unknown whether Epilobium pygmaeum is intrinsically vulnerable. |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | Epilobium pygmaeum is restricted to vernally moist sites in the steppe zone (BGxh2) (Douglas et al. 2002). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | There is little information on specific habitat requirements, dispersal capabilities, reproductive success and population viability of Epilobium pygmeaum in British Columbia. |
| Inventory Needs: |
Survey of known sites to evaluate their status, and a directed inventory of suitable habitat to determine if more populations exist. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Donovan, M., J.L. Penny and B. Costanzo |
| Date: | February 04, 2013 |
| References | |
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British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. Botany Program. 2000. Database containing records of rare plant collections and observations in the province of British Columbia.
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Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, and D. Meidinger, eds. 1998. Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia. Conserv. Data Centre, Resour. Inventory Branch, B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, and B.C. Minist. For., Victoria.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2013. Conservation Status Report: Epilobium campestre. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 8, 2026).