Pachysandra procumbens Michaux. Mountain Pachysandra, Allegheny-spurge. Phen: Feb-May; Jul-Aug. Hab: Moist rich forests, mainly over calcareous or mafic rocks. Dist: C. KY south to w. NC, nw. SC, w. GA, Panhandle FL (Jackson County only), AL, MS, and e. LA (on loess in the Tunica Hills).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Other Comments: Its distribution (and, for that matter, that of the genus as a whole) appears to be relictual and to reflect a poor ability to disperse itself and colonize new territory. Channell & Wood (1987) refer to Pachysandra procumbens as a "nonaggressive if not ‘senile’ species with a very low evolutionary potential". The only locations for this species in NC are in Polk County, NC, which has other notable disjunctions of species which normally occur west of the Blue Ridge (Veratrum woodii, Smilax lasioneura).

Synonymy: = C, F, FNA10, G, K1, K3, K4, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, W, WH3, Robbins (1968)

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