Foamflowers in South Carolina

In November 2022, iNaturalist split Tiarella cordifolia into five species, two of which occur in South Carolina: Tiarella austrina and Tiarella cordifolia sensu stricto. The ranges of the two species are immediately adjacent along the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern South Carolina.

Distribution of Tiarella in South Carolina counties:

• Tiarella austrina: Greenville, Oconee, Pickens
• Tiarella cordifolia: Abbeville, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Spartanburg, Union, York

Observations of Tiarella austrina in South Carolina:

• Observations of Tiarella austrina in an expected county in SC
• Observations of Tiarella austrina in an unexpected county in SC

Observations of Tiarella cordifolia sensu stricto in South Carolina:

• Observations of Tiarella cordifolia in an expected county in SC
• Observations of Tiarella cordifolia in an unexpected county in SC

Tips for identification of Tiarella species:

• Identification of Tiarella austrina
• Identification of Tiarella cordifolia sensu stricto

Tiarella austrina has two distinguishing characteristics: a leaf on the flowering stem and a stolon. Tiarella cordifolia has neither of these characteristics.

For details, including a color-coded range map and an identification key, see: Nesom, Guy L. (2021). "Taxonomy of Tiarella (Saxifragaceae) in the eastern USA" (PDF). Phytoneuron. 31: 1–61. (A shortened version of Nesom's paper was published by the North Carolina Botanical Garden in 2022.)

For more general information about Tiarella, see: Observing and identifying Foamflowers in eastern North America

Publicado el diciembre 16, 2022 09:01 TARDE por trscavo