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BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report

Scrophularia lanceolata
lance-leaved figwort


 
Scientific Name: Scrophularia lanceolata
English Name: lance-leaved figwort
   
Provincial Status Summary
Status: S3
Date Status Assigned: April 30, 2019
Date Last Reviewed: April 30, 2019
Reasons:

There are currently 8 known occurrences of Scrophularia lanceolata in British Columbia, 5 of which are considered extant. The range extent is 37,945 square kilometres and the area of occupancy is 20 square kilometres. Potential threats to existing populations include roadside mowing and road/utility line maintenance activities such as herbicide application, but are considered to be low at this time.

 
Range
Range Extent: F = 20,000-200,000 square km
Range Extent Comments:

The range extent for Scrophularia lanceolata, calculated using a convex hull, is 37,945 square kilometres; from the Skagit Bluffs (historical) to Boundary Lake in the Selkirk Mountains and north to Retallack and Revelstoke.

Area of Occupancy (km2): CD = 3-25
Area of Occupancy Comments:

The area of occupancy, using a 2km x 2km grid cell for extant occurrences, is 20 square kilometres.

 
Occurrences & Population
Number of Occurrences: AB = 1 - 20
Comments: There are currently 8 known occurrences of Scrophularia lanceolata in British Columbia, 5 of which are considered extant.
Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: BC = 1 - 12
Comments:

Three occurrences have good to excellent viability, but there is not enough information to assess the viability of the others

Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: A = None
Population Size: U = Unknown
Comments:

Detailed counts from the known sites are incomplete, however the Boundary Lake site is indicated to have more than 70 plants and another occurrence in the same vicinity approximately 20.

 
Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected)
Degree of Threat: D = Low
Comments:

Potential threats to Scrophularia lanceolata include roadside mowing and herbicide application along utility corridors. Although its persistence in these habitats suggest it may not be heavily impacted by these activities.

 
Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences)
Short-Term Trend: U = Unknown
Comments:

Currently there is no data available from which population and habitat trends can be determined.

Long-Term Trend: U = Unknown
Comments: Vague label data on historic collections makes it difficult to relocate these occurrences with certainty. In 2017 the Retallack area was revisited for the first time since 1975 and over a hundred plants were observed growing along the highway there (R. Batten pers. comm. 2021). In 2009 it was observed in the Revelstoke area for the first time since it was first collected there in 1890.
 
Other Factors
Intrinsic Vulnerability: C=Not intrinsically vulnerable
Environmental Specificity: D=Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common.
Comments: Throughout its entire range, Scrophularia lanceolata grows in many kinds of habitat, often including disturbed sites such as roadsides. In British Columbia, it has been found on a roadside under hydro lines, along a highway and near old mine buildings.
Other Rank Considerations:
 
Information Gaps
Research Needs:
Inventory Needs:
 
Stewardship
Protection:
Management:
 
Version
Author: Donovan, M. and R. Batten
Date: February 10, 2021
 
References
No references available
 

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. 2021. Conservation Status Report: Scrophularia lanceolata. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 9, 2026).