Harperella nodosa Rose. Harperella. Phen: Jun-Aug. Hab: Rocky or gravelly riverbeds, upland depression ponds, seepage on granite flatrocks. Dist: Disjunct and fragmented in distribution: w. MD, e. WV, VA, and c. NC; SC and c. GA; N. AL; AR and e. OK.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Three taxa are sometimes recognized, but recent studies (molecular and morphological) show insufficient reliable bases for separating them (Feist et al. 2012; M.A. Feist, 2012, pers. comm.). Earlier work is suggestive, and additional study is needed. The three taxa formerly recognized are H. vivipara (leaves 4-12 (-15) cm long; plants 1-5 (-8) dm tall, adventitiously perennial by proliferating from the nodes; rays 1-9 mm long, 2-5 (-9) per inflorescence; pedicels 0.5-2.0 (-2.5) mm long; umbellets with 2-8 flowers) of rocky or gravelly riverbeds in w. MD, e. WV, VA, and c. NC; H. fluviatilis (leaves 4-12 (-15) cm long; plants 1-5 (-8) dm tall, adventitiously perennial by proliferating from the nodes; rays 1-9 mm long, 2-5 (-9) per inflorescence; pedicels 0.5-2.0 (-2.5) mm long; umbellets with 6-15 flowers) of rocky or gravelly riverbeds in n. AL, AR, and e. OK; and H. nodosa (leaves 8-30 cm long; plants 4-10.5 dm tall, strictly annual, not proliferating from the nodes; rays 10-25 mm long, 6-15 per inflorescence; pedicels 3.0-6.0 mm long) of upland depression ponds in SC and seepage on granite outcrops in GA. See references for additional details and discussion.

Other Comments: Belden et al. (2004) provided details on the Virginia occurrence in Aquia Creek, Stafford County.

Synonymy: = K4, Ok; = Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias – C, K1, Kral (1981a); > Harperella fluviatilis – K3, S, Rose (1911); > Harperella nodosa Rose – FNA, K3, S, Rose (1911); > Harperella vivipara – K3, Va, Rose (1911); > Ptilimnium fluviatile (Rose) Mathias – GW2, RAB, WV, Easterly (1957); > Ptilimnium fluviatilis – MC, orthographic variant; > Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias – GW2, MC, RAB, Easterly (1957); > Ptilimnium viviparum (Rose) Mathias – F, G, MC

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ?: 8