{"assessment":{"band":"Keystone","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Vaccinium simulatum"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established Georgia range; association and range overlap, not confirmed local feeding.","specialists":"Eastern North America","structure":"USDA species growth habit where matched; otherwise sourced atlas growth habit"},"factors":{"applied_insect_credit":0,"baseline_score":98,"composite":0.96,"insect_support":{"credit":0,"groups":{"ants":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Ants","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"beetles":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Beetles","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"flies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Flies","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"moths_butterflies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Adult butterflies / moths","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_hymenoptera":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other wasps","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_insects":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other insects","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"}},"interpretation":"One provisional point per additional documented insect group, capped at five. Flower visits are a resource-use proxy, not confirmed feeding or pollination. Missing evidence is unknown. Study volume and repeated records earn no extra credit.","maximum_credit":5,"version":"insect-support-1"},"pct":{"bees":0.9826302729528535,"birds":0.9720843672456576,"caterpillars":0.988833746898263,"specialists":0.9733250620347395,"structure":0.75},"rank_pct":0.988,"raw":{"bees":52,"birds":22,"caterpillars":206,"genus_used":null,"specialists":8,"structure":["Shrub"]}},"fit_score":null,"native_basis":"native_inferred","rarity_adjustment":0,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Calculated with the shared rules using Georgia host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Georgia percentile","score":98,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":""},"source_ids":["lep_ga","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"broad_range_note":{"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","text":"Selected source categories span deep shade to full sun; broad tolerance is source-recorded, not independently verified."},"evidence_id":"fact:d86f0c3d39f09ed73b1115742fa51021ebdb03a370f41a74f887e5f5d5da5080","levels":[0,1,2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:ac2e42ad90566f20eea9190c1a588a026a963482559c148993f24dc10d2e3291","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":["Shrub"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_inferred"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["13111","13115","13185","13241","13281","13291","13295"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["13111","13115","13185","13241","13281","13291","13295"],"growth_habit":"shrub","growth_habit_source":"tnky_atlas","invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/3296"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium constablaei?","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"native_status":"native_inferred","source_ids":["sernec:104580"],"source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","source_refs":["GA-checklist-4.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=4&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["GA-checklist-4.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=4&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Keystone","condition_evidence":{"light":{"broad_range_note":{"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","text":"Selected source categories span deep shade to full sun; broad tolerance is source-recorded, not independently verified."},"evidence_id":"fact:d86f0c3d39f09ed73b1115742fa51021ebdb03a370f41a74f887e5f5d5da5080","levels":[0,1,2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:ac2e42ad90566f20eea9190c1a588a026a963482559c148993f24dc10d2e3291","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["13111","13115","13185","13241","13281","13291","13295","21013","21095","21137","21147","21151","47035","47049","47129","47153","47171","47185"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":98,"state":"GA"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","source_record_id":4724,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Forested slopes (northern hardwoods, spruce-fir forests), ridges, and shrub balds, at moderate and high elevations."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":"A Southern and Central Appalachian endemic, V. simulatum ranges from e. Kentucky and sw. Virginia south through w. North Carolina and e. Tennessee to n. Georgia and n. Alabama."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Late Apr-early Jun; Jul-Aug."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= G, K1, K4, NS, S13, Va, Camp (1945), Manos et al (2026), Uttal (1987); = Cyanococcus simulatus (Small) Small — S; = Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray — RAB; > Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray — G, Redpath et al (2022), misapplied, & orthographic variant; > Vaccinium constablei A. Gray; Vaccinium corymbosum L. — C, FNA8, POWO, Tn, W, Luteyn et al (1996), Vander Kloet (1988); > Vaccinium simulatum Small — Redpath et al (2022)]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Redpath report diploid (2x=24) and tetraploid (2x=48) ploidy levels for what they interpret as this species. The name V. constablaei has been misapplied to this species, as by RAB; see V. corymbosum for a discussion of the correct application of V. constablaei . There is controversy as to whether V. constablaei and V. simulatum are actually the same taxon. Vaccinium constablei is a hexaploid species, 2x = 72 (Redpath et al. 2022)."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":5},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"}]},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4724,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_mt,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"to","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"pi,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 4-6","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"}}],"values":{"botanical_comments":"Redpath report diploid (2x=24) and tetraploid (2x=48) ploidy levels for what they interpret as this species. The name V. constablaei has been misapplied to this species, as by RAB; see V. corymbosum for a discussion of the correct application of V. constablaei . There is controversy as to whether V. constablaei and V. simulatum are actually the same taxon. Vaccinium constablei is a hexaploid species, 2x = 72 (Redpath et al. 2022).","geographic_range_description":"A Southern and Central Appalachian endemic, V. simulatum ranges from e. Kentucky and sw. Virginia south through w. North Carolina and e. Tennessee to n. Georgia and n. Alabama.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_mt,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"to","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"pi,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 4-6","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Forested slopes (northern hardwoods, spruce-fir forests), ridges, and shrub balds, at moderate and high elevations.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"heliophily_index":5,"phenology_source_text":"Late Apr-early Jun; Jul-Aug.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= G, K1, K4, NS, S13, Va, Camp (1945), Manos et al (2026), Uttal (1987); = Cyanococcus simulatus (Small) Small — S; = Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray — RAB; > Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray — G, Redpath et al (2022), misapplied, & orthographic variant; > Vaccinium constablei A. Gray; Vaccinium corymbosum L. — C, FNA8, POWO, Tn, W, Luteyn et al (1996), Vander Kloet (1988); > Vaccinium simulatum Small — Redpath et al (2022)]"}},"wildflower_center":{"matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","retrieved":"2026-10-03T19:06:08.649746+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","source_sha256":"57da498eb45f0030a9df0eb11319c718e1c76df4c4b5ef73ed09f37cb3341096","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VASI2","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:2b7a85ac166ad2a9b1e3823c1ab18ff4be7ac965bfe5739f5c9c91485ef33a0c","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T19:06:08.649746+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","source_sha256":"57da498eb45f0030a9df0eb11319c718e1c76df4c4b5ef73ed09f37cb3341096","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VASI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:f2a8e5a5-d611-5ce0-a9b5-a2161db71346","value":{"approximate":true,"kind":"upper_bound","max":15,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:4dfc0049129d59d06a135f4a3d42ed52e30606c09c0dfc781455d9cc37fdef41","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T19:06:08.649746+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","source_sha256":"57da498eb45f0030a9df0eb11319c718e1c76df4c4b5ef73ed09f37cb3341096","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VASI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:f2a8e5a5-d611-5ce0-a9b5-a2161db71346","value":["Perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:eb9491712a22eb8acef18f4091bbdbdfbdab042859e413f65e4585bb31d2fd7d","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T19:06:08.649746+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","source_sha256":"57da498eb45f0030a9df0eb11319c718e1c76df4c4b5ef73ed09f37cb3341096","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VASI2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:f2a8e5a5-d611-5ce0-a9b5-a2161db71346","value":["White","Pink","Green"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["White","Pink","Green"],"height_description":"Up to about 15 feet","life_cycle":["Perennial"]}}},"light_range":["deep shade","full sun"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/3296"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vaccinium constablaei?","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","explanation":"Source scopes are preserved. State occurrence alone does not establish nativity; combined regional evidence is labeled estimated.","label":"Native to Georgia (estimated from combined sources)","rule":"southeast-native-synthesis-1","status":"native_inferred"},"source_name":"Vaccinium simulatum","taxon_id":"taxon:f2a8e5a5-d611-5ce0-a9b5-a2161db71346","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[]}