Paxistima canbyi A. Gray. Cliff-green, Canby's Mountain-lover, Ratstripper. Phen: Apr-May; Aug-Sep. Hab: On calcareous bluffs and cliffs (generally near the top of the cliffs or bluffs, rarely far below the crest), mostly on limestone and dolostone, but rarely on greenstone or shale; in NC naturalized at the site of a plant nursery and possibly also native (see discussion below). Dist: The species is a Central Appalachian endemic: sc. PA (Bedford County) (Rhoads & Klein 1993; Rhoads & Block 2007), e. WV, w. VA, s. OH, e KY, ne. TN, and w. NC (where unlikely to be native). The only collection definitely known from NC is that from an old nursery site (Hardin 1963). Navaro & Blackwell (1990) note that "the presence of P. canbyi in North Carolina was, however, noticed as long ago as 1883 by Chapman, and P. canbyi is likely native to North Carolina". Small (1933) reports it from "n. N.C.". Casting serious doubt on its native status in NC is the species’ habitat: limestone ravines and bluffs, a very rare habitat in NC.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy: = C, FNA12, K1, K3, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W, Navaro & Blackwell (1990); = Pachistima canbyi – F, WV; = Pachystima canbyi – G, S, S13, (the name not validly published)

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Heliophily: 6