{"assessment":{"band":"Modest","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Vittaria appalachiana"},"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":8,"composite":0.272,"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":0.24379652605459057,"birds":0.303970223325062,"caterpillars":0.17307692307692307,"specialists":0.4323821339950372,"structure":0.5},"rank_pct":0.031,"raw":{"bees":0,"birds":0,"caterpillars":0,"genus_used":null,"specialists":0,"structure":["Forb/herb"]}},"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":8,"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":{"evidence_id":"fact:1cb531c7ecb4d7f95eef7d6be8b7be58ab7504ec0fba5096044f850ea6e6132b","levels":[0,1],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,1],"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:757d93c78811ad0602fb0a678eb9185efe4ddf851005c39ab8eab303d80a7290","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":["Forb/herb"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_inferred"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":[],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":[],"growth_habit":"fern","growth_habit_source":"tnky_atlas","invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/569"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"native_status":"native_inferred","source_ids":["sernec:105356"],"source_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","source_refs":["GA-checklist-8.html"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=8&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["GA-checklist-8.html"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=8&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,1],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Modest","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:1cb531c7ecb4d7f95eef7d6be8b7be58ab7504ec0fba5096044f850ea6e6132b","levels":[0,1],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,1],"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:757d93c78811ad0602fb0a678eb9185efe4ddf851005c39ab8eab303d80a7290","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":["21043","21063","21089","21095","21125","21165","21175","21197","21237","47013","47019","47035","47049","47051","47059","47061","47091","47115","47123","47129","47137","47139","47151","47175"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,1],"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":8,"state":"GA"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","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":"Vittaria appalachiana","source_record_id":149,"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":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Shaded grottoes, undersides of overhanging rock outcrops, especially in moist gorges or on spray cliffs in the vicinity of waterfalls, usually on felsic metamorphic rocks, such as mica schist, mica gneiss, granite gneiss, or metaquartzite, or on sandstone."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Southern and Central Appalachians, mostly but not entirely south of the glacial boundary, from se. Pennsylvania, sw. New York, and ne. Ohio south through c. Tennessee and c. Kentucky to n. Georgia, n. Alabama, and n. Mississippi (Menapace, Davison, & Webb 1998)."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"None."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= FNA2, K4, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, Tn, Va, Pinson, Chambers, & Sessa (2017); = branching ribbon-like wide, of the genus Hymenophyllum\" — RAB; = shaped gametophytes — C; = n/a — Sf; Vittaria lineata (L.) Sm. — WV]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"The species is often overlooked or mistaken for a liverwort or lichen; it has been most often collected by bryologists and hepaticologists, and was first noted in 1824 by von Schweinitz, who considered it a Jungermannia . Although this species has been known for some time (often referred to as the ‘Appalachian Gametophyte’), it was only named formally relatively recently (Farrar & Mickel 1991). A range of evidence (morphologic, electrophoretic, and developmental) indicates that it is not the gametophyte of any known Vittaria sporophyte; instead, it is a distinct taxon, reproducing vegetatively by gemmae, having lost the capability of producing sporophytes. For additional information, see Farrar (1974), Farrar (1978), Gastony (1977), Farrar, Parks, & McAlpin (1983), and Pittillo et al. (1975)."},{"field":"identification_notes","source_column":"IdentificationNotes","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":"This reduced species consists of \"a branched, ribbon-like thallus one cell in thickness, usually differentiated into basal and upright branches; basal branches attached to the substrate by numerous short, brown rhizoids emanating from marginal and interior cells; upright branches terminating in the production of gemmae\" (Farrar & Mickel 1991). The lobed thallus can be mistaken for squamulose or lobed lichens, such as Cladonia spp. and Flakea papillata , which occur in similar settings, but Vittaria appalachiana is medium green in color, rather than gray or gray-green."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"Organism","value":1},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Full shade"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":149,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr02","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_mt,ga_mt,","Attr10":"tip","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Shade","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 1-12","Attr5":"petr,terr","Attr6":"pros","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"alt,bas,opp,whor","Attr9":"2blad,2spag,2strp"}}],"values":{"botanical_comments":"The species is often overlooked or mistaken for a liverwort or lichen; it has been most often collected by bryologists and hepaticologists, and was first noted in 1824 by von Schweinitz, who considered it a Jungermannia . Although this species has been known for some time (often referred to as the ‘Appalachian Gametophyte’), it was only named formally relatively recently (Farrar & Mickel 1991). A range of evidence (morphologic, electrophoretic, and developmental) indicates that it is not the gametophyte of any known Vittaria sporophyte; instead, it is a distinct taxon, reproducing vegetatively by gemmae, having lost the capability of producing sporophytes. For additional information, see Farrar (1974), Farrar (1978), Gastony (1977), Farrar, Parks, & McAlpin (1983), and Pittillo et al. (1975).","geographic_range_description":"Southern and Central Appalachians, mostly but not entirely south of the glacial boundary, from se. Pennsylvania, sw. New York, and ne. Ohio south through c. Tennessee and c. Kentucky to n. Georgia, n. Alabama, and n. Mississippi (Menapace, Davison, & Webb 1998).","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr02","Attr1":"nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_mt,ga_mt,","Attr10":"tip","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Shade","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 1-12","Attr5":"petr,terr","Attr6":"pros","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"alt,bas,opp,whor","Attr9":"2blad,2spag,2strp"},"habitat_description":"Shaded grottoes, undersides of overhanging rock outcrops, especially in moist gorges or on spray cliffs in the vicinity of waterfalls, usually on felsic metamorphic rocks, such as mica schist, mica gneiss, granite gneiss, or metaquartzite, or on sandstone.","habitat_light_categories":["Full shade"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"heliophily_index":1,"identification_notes":"This reduced species consists of \"a branched, ribbon-like thallus one cell in thickness, usually differentiated into basal and upright branches; basal branches attached to the substrate by numerous short, brown rhizoids emanating from marginal and interior cells; upright branches terminating in the production of gemmae\" (Farrar & Mickel 1991). The lobed thallus can be mistaken for squamulose or lobed lichens, such as Cladonia spp. and Flakea papillata , which occur in similar settings, but Vittaria appalachiana is medium green in color, rather than gray or gray-green.","phenology_source_text":"None.","taxonomic_synonymy":"[= FNA2, K4, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, Tn, Va, Pinson, Chambers, & Sessa (2017); = branching ribbon-like wide, of the genus Hymenophyllum\" — RAB; = shaped gametophytes — C; = n/a — Sf; Vittaria lineata (L.) Sm. — WV]"}},"wildflower_center":{"matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","retrieved":"2026-10-05T20:12:25.078513+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":"15d9fab6f290c3b512b37d26c87588360d8e428bed54671ca31dbb3cdcc95ed6","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIAP2","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:81bbb6bcb5d6067b14319497e2276bc54e09a17ee04077d446d6fabc70c46117","retrieved_at":"2026-10-05T20:12:25.078513+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":"Vittaria appalachiana","source_sha256":"15d9fab6f290c3b512b37d26c87588360d8e428bed54671ca31dbb3cdcc95ed6","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIAP2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1aefb003-964f-54b8-9ba7-2c3078ee8afe","value":["Not Applicable"]},{"expected_source_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:9fd93c7c7169d9f38170df2e2b0f205b61cd23891f9009678c9afdbaf9151169","retrieved_at":"2026-10-05T20:12:25.078513+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":"Vittaria appalachiana","source_sha256":"15d9fab6f290c3b512b37d26c87588360d8e428bed54671ca31dbb3cdcc95ed6","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIAP2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:1aefb003-964f-54b8-9ba7-2c3078ee8afe","value":["Perennial"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["Not Applicable"],"life_cycle":["Perennial"]}}},"light_range":["deep shade","shade"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/569"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Vittaria appalachiana","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":"Vittaria appalachiana","taxon_id":"taxon:1aefb003-964f-54b8-9ba7-2c3078ee8afe","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[]}