British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes

 


Citation:  Meidinger, Del; Lee, Tina; Douglas, George W.; Britton, Greg; MacKenzie, Will.; Qian, Hong.  2009.  British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes. Version 6 Database. Research Branch.  B.C. Ministry of Forests.

The field definitions and attribute descriptions used in the official British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes: Version 6 database are presented below.

The species code files contain the presently accepted scientific and common names for vascular plants, mosses and lichens of British Columbia. The liverworts and hornworts included on this list are from the North American lists as a B.C. list does not exist. All species are given a 7 or 8 character code for use in database applications. In addition, commonly used species synonyms are included to assist in determining the presently accepted name. Species attributes include lifeform, toxicity, weed status, wetland indicator value, rare (red or blue list) ranking, provincial ranking (SRank), and whether native or exotic. The database can be downloaded from http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/becweb/resources/codes-standards/standards-species.html.

As the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia is now complete (total of 8 volumes), this list will only be updated when required (every 1– 2 years). Although scientific studies in plant taxonomy will continue to suggest new names for various taxa, our intent is to only change names when a revision to a B.C. manual or list is published. The only other reasons for updating the list would be to include additions to our flora or significant new information on plant species attributes. This principle should result in relative stability to the names and codes.

The references cited below can be found in the References file.

Field

Potential Entries

Definition

FamilyCode

 

code for family of species (or ssp., var., or genus)

FamilyCode

(vascular plants)

based on Titus (1980) and Douglas et al. (1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b)

FamilyCode

(mosses)

based on Anderson, et al. (1990)

FamilyCode

(hepatics)

based on Stotler and Crandall-Stotler (1977)

FamilyCode

(lichens)

not used

OldCode

 

original code from previous list (Titus 1980), the code of the taxon before becoming a synonym, or the same as NewCode

Code

 

code for species; includes distinctions between ssp. and var.; synonyms are coded with the code of the valid taxa

SplCode

 

code of plants to the species level; no distinction between ssp. or var.

TreeCode

 

three character code from the Official B.C. Tree Code List – Version 4, Research Branch, B.C. Ministry of Forests. Victoria. BC

ScientificName

 

scientific name of genus, species, subspecies, variety, or family

ScientificName

(vascular plants)

based on Titus (1980) (synonym taxa) and Douglas et al. (1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b, 2002) (native taxa);  additions of taxa were made to be consistent with Cranston et al. (1999)

ScientificName

(mosses)

species list based on Schofield (1992)

subspecies and variety list based on Ireland et al. (1987)

nomenclature and authorities based on Anderson (1990), Anderson et al. (1990) and Flora of North America Association (2001); additions of rare species were made to be consistent with B.C. Provincial Tracking List.

ScientificName

(hepatics)

based on Stotler and Crandall-Stotler (1977)

ScientificName

(lichens)

species list, scientific names and authorities  for foliose, squamulose, and fruticose lichens are based on Goward et al. (1994) and Goward (1999);

species list for crustose and leprose lichens is based on Goward (1994)

scientific names and authorities for crustose and leprose lichens are based on Esslinger and Egan (1995)

Lifeform

 

growth form of the species

Lifeform

0

genus-level and mixed; see Mult_life

Lifeform

1

coniferous tree

Lifeform

2

broad-leaved tree

Lifeform

3

evergreen shrub

Lifeform

4

deciduous shrub

Lifeform

5

fern or fern-ally

Lifeform

6

graminoid

Lifeform

7

forb

Lifeform

8

parasite or saprophyte

Lifeform

9

moss

Lifeform

10

hepatic

Lifeform

11

lichen

Lifeform

12

dwarf woody plant

Lifeform

13

macro alga

Climate

 

climate types

Climate

0

not evaluated unknown or variable

Climate

1

alpine tundra & boreal

Climate

2

subalpine boreal & cool mesothermal

Climate

3

montane boreal & cool temperate

Climate

4

cool mesothermal

Climate

5

cool temperate & cool mesothermal

Climate

6

cool temperate & cool semiarid

SMR

 

actual soil moisture regime

SMR

0

not evaluated or unknown or variable

SMR

1

very dry; water deficit occurs > 3 months but < = 5 months

SMR

2

very dry to moderately dry; water deficit occurs > 1.5 months but < = 3 months

SMR

3

moderately dry to fresh; utilization (no water deficit occurs; current need for  water exceeds supply and soil-stored water is used) to water deficit occurs < =1.5  months

SMR

4

fresh to very moist; ground water table > 30 cm deep to utilization

SMR

5

very moist to wet; groundwater table > 0 cm deep but < = 30cm deep

SMR

6

wet to very wet; groundwater table at or above the ground surface

SNR

 

soil nutrient regime

SNR

0

not evaluated or unknown or variable

SNR

1

nutrient-poor

SNR

2

nutrient-medium

SNR

3

nutrient-rich

GSM

 

ground surface material

GSM

0

not evaluated or unknown or variable

GSM

1

mors

GSM

2

moders & mulls

GSM

3

exposed mineral soil

GSM

4

very shallow soils; unconsolidated mineral materials greater than 2 mm in diameter; gravel, stones, boulders, and bedrock

GSM

5

surface water; free water at or above the ground surface

Authority

 

authority of species, subspecies, or variety; using the Tokyo code of nomenclature

Authority

(vascular plants)

based on Douglas et al. (1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b,2002); in many cases authorities were updated to Kartesz (1994) and/or USDA,NRCS (1999)

Authority

(mosses)

based on Anderson (1990), Anderson et al. (1990) and Flora of North America Association (2001); additions of rare species were made to be consistent with B.C. Provincial Tracking List.

Authority

(hepatics)

based on Stotler and Crandall-Stotler (1977)

Authority

(lichens)

foliose, squamulose, and fruticose lichens are based on Goward et al. (1994) and Goward (1999);

crustose and leprose lichens are based on Esslinger and Egan (1995)

EnglishName

 

recommended English vernacular name

EnglishName

(vascular plants)

from Douglas et al. (1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b,2002)

EnglishName

(mosses)

from Johnson et al. (1995), MacKinnon et al. (1992), Parish et al. (1996), Pojar and MacKinnon (1994), Edwards (1999), Golinski (2002)

EnglishName

(hepatics)

from Johnson et al. (1995), MacKinnon et al. (1992), Parish et al. (1996), Pojar and MacKinnon (1994)

EnglishName

(lichens)

Goward (1994), Goward et al. (1994), Goward (1999)

Native

 

status of species in B.C.

Native

N

species native to B.C.

Native

E

exotic or introduced species/naturalized in B.C.

Native

M

mixed - native and exotic populations within species in B.C.

Native

U

species of unknown origin

Native

X

exotic species not known to be naturalized in B.C. but code required

Codetype

 

 

Codetype

U

valid code and name

Codetype

S

synonym

Codetype

E

excluded species; species not occuring in Douglas et al. (1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b, 2002) which are included in Taylor and MacBryde (1977) or Douglas et al. (1989, 1990, 1991, 1994)

Mult_life

 

lifeforms, where species of varying lifeforms occur within a genus

P_Organism

 

type of organisms known to be affected by toxin in species

P_Organism

H

humans known to be affected by toxin in species

P_Organism

L

livestock known to be affected by toxin in species

P_Organism

W

wildlife known to be affected by toxin in species

P_Descriptor

 

describes effects on humans, or type of livestock, or wildlife affected by a poisonous species

P_Descriptor

P

humans poisoned by species; P_Organism = H

P_Descriptor

D

dermatitis caused in humans by species; P_Organism = H

P_Descriptor

A

species allergenic in humans; P_Organism = H

P_Descriptor

C

cattle affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

S

sheep affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

H

horses affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

Pi

swine affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

G

goats affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

B

honeybees affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = L

P_Descriptor

M

moose affected by toxin in species; P_Organism = W

P_Descriptor

O

other livestock or wildlife affected by toxin in species: described further in P_Comments; P_Organism = L and/or W

P_Mode

 

mode of action of toxin in plant

P_Mode

C

toxin in species acts upon contact with skin

P_Mode

I

toxin in species acts upon ingestion

P_Toxin

 

chemicals causing toxicity

P_Toxin

A

toxicity caused by alkaloids

P_Toxin

G

toxicity caused by glycosides

P_Toxin

N

toxicity caused by nitrates

P_Toxin

S

toxicity caused by selenium

P_Toxin

X

toxicity caused by oxalates

P_Toxin

O

toxicity caused by other or unknown chemicals; details given in P_Comments

P_Toxicity

 

degree of toxicity in a poisonous plant; This field may be used to filter out potentially poisonous plants, as they will all have an entry in this cell.

P_Toxicity

P1

causes fatal poisoning

P_Toxicity

P2

causes non-fatal poisoning including dermatitis and phyto-photosensitivity

P_Toxicity

P3

rarely or potentially poisonous; few reported cases of poisoning

P_Toxicity

PX

degree of toxicity unknown

P_Toxicity

OS

other species in this genus are known to have poisonous properties

P_Season

 

most dangerous season of poisonous species

P_Season

SPR

poisonous plant most dangerous in spring

P_Season

SUM

poisonous plant most dangerous in summer

P_Season

AUT

poisonous plant most dangerous in autumn

P_Season

WIN

poisonous plant most dangerous in winter

P_Season

U

unknown when poisonous plant is most dangerous

P_Parts

 

plant parts containing toxin

P_Parts

AL

all parts contain toxin

P_Parts

BA

bark contains toxin

P_Parts

FL

flowers contain toxin

P_Parts

FR

fruits contain toxin

P_Parts

HA

hairs contain toxin

P_Parts

LA

latex contain toxin

P_Parts

LE

leaves contain toxin

P_Parts

RO

roots contain toxin

P_Parts

SE

seeds contain toxin

P_Parts

SH

shoots contain toxin

P_Parts

ST

stems contain toxin

P_Parts

TW

twigs contain toxin

P_Comments

 

notes on active toxin, animals affected, toxicity of species

WeedStatus

 

species considered invasive plants

WeedStatus

P

species considered noxious weeds in all regions of B.C. as indicated in the B.C. Weed Control Act (1999)

WeedStatus

R

species indicated as noxious weeds within some regions of B.C. as indicated in the B.C. Weed Control Act (1999)

WeedStatus

I

invasive/nuisance species that are not currently legislated as noxious weeds; based on Cranston et al. (1999)

Wetland_Ind

 

wetland and riparian indicator status of species

Wetland_Ind

1

Aquatic - species that usually occur in standing water as a floating or submerged aquatic.  Species is a FPC obligate hydrophyte.

Wetland_Ind

2

Obligate - species that almost always occur as emergents in standing water or on saturated organic or mineral soils.  Species is a FPC obligate hydrophyte.

Wetland_Ind

3

Indicative  - species that are most commonly associated and best adapted to wetland soils conditions but also occur in moist and very moist upland habitats.  Species is not considered a obligate hydrophyte in the FPC.

Wetland_Ind

4

Facultative - species that commonly occur in both upland and wetland habitats. May be strongly associated with transitional sites between wetland and upland ecosystems.  Species is not considered to be an obligate hydrophyte in the FPC.

Wetland_Ind

5

Occasional - species that occur, predominantly, upland but may have scattered occurrences in wetlands or may be prevalent in certain kinds of wetlands.

Wetland_Ind

6

None – species that are rarely or never found in wetlands.

RedBlueList

 

Removed from this database. See Ministry of Environment’s Species and Ecosystems Explorer for up-to-date information.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/toolintro.html