[3][4]Packera millefolium, commonly know as Blue Ridge ragwort, Yarrowleaf Ragwort,[5] Blue Ridge Groundsel,[6]yarrowleaf groundsel, or Piedmont Ragwort is part of the Asteracea or Aster family. It is endemic to the mainland United States. This species is found primarily in the Eastern United States, and it typically ranges from as far west at the Appalachian to as far east as the Piedmont region.[7]
The plant grows to be between 12 to 32 inches in height. It grows simple leaves with a basal arrangement. It has a set of leaves on the stem that are usually smaller in comparison to the lower leaves. The lower leaves get up to 12 inches long, and they have an alternate arrangement that's divided into narrow segments. Stems have woolly hair between the stem and the base. Stems grow upward and have a ribbed structure. It's flower heads have 8 to 13 yellow ray flowers, and darker yellow disk flowers on the center. It produces achenes when it fruits.[8]
The species is often found at higher elevations[9] on dry and rocky surfaces such as cliffs, slopes, rocky outcrops, and granitic domes[10]. Since it is a Ragwort, Packera millefolium, typically colonizes in patches in open habitats, and it thrives in environments that receive at least 870 mm[11] of rainfall a year.
Species interaction
The flowers are known to attract bees and butterflies that could aid in the plants pollination process. Butterflies land on the ray flowers in search of nectar while bees follow suit. Smaller insects are useful for quickly visiting a lot of individual's flower heads which helps the plant in instances of self pollinating. Contrastingly, large insects cover larger distances and visit more varieties of plants which helps to cross-pollinate. Both instances are helpful since the species is a perennial herb that seeds and sexually reproduces. Often times, dispersal is carried out by wind, animals, and gravity.[12]
Not many mammals have been known to feed on the species which is likely due to it being a Ragwort. Ragworts are know to exhibit toxic effects on animals that consume it. Effects can very harmful, and even strong enough to cause death.[13]
Threats
This species faces a range of threats to its population due to various disturbances. One threat to the persistence of the species is the clearing of land on outcrops for land development.[14] In numerous locations in North and South Carolina, outcrops are cleared for projects such as agricultural use, or for the development of roads and housing. This could proves to be detrimental because the species is limited to specific habitats where it can grow. However, the increase in building density of the southern Appalachian[15] region only further heightens the threat to populations of Packera millefolium.
Human interference is not only responsible for habitat loss, but it has also allowed hybridization of the species to occur. Contact with other more abundant species such as Packera anonyma. Contact has lead to observed cases of hybridization that could be the result of possible genetic assimilation of P. millefolium[16]. The threat lies in the fact that the offspring of hybrids will also be hybrids rather than the parent species, so this hybridization could be harmful [17] to populations of Packera milllefolium by outcompeting with the species[18].
Other less prominent threats include, trampling which can also take it's toll on populations because the species resides in location that are common visited by hikers. This also does not account for animals[19] that may trample the plants in passing as well as the effects of erosion.[20]
Conservation and management
While there are many threats to Packera millefolium, recommended methods of management include removal of nearby populations of Packera anonyma in order to prevent hybridization.[21] Removal could be followed by restocking the population with P. millefolium seeds[22]. It would also be impactful to minimize construction of roads and other structures that would encroach upon rocky outcrops and granitic domes where the species is found[23]. The most effective strategy would likely be to coordinate management and interference between land owners, private agencies, and public services[24]. As for individuals, attempting to limit foot traffic, climbing, and hiking in areas where populations of Packera millefolium reside could be impactful[25].
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