{"assessment":{"band":"Strong","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Juniperus silicicola"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established South Carolina 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":59,"composite":0.717,"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":0.9758064516129032,"caterpillars":0.902605459057072,"specialists":0.4323821339950372,"structure":1},"rank_pct":0.624,"raw":{"bees":0,"birds":23,"caterpillars":31,"genus_used":null,"specialists":0,"structure":["Tree"]}},"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 South Carolina host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a South Carolina percentile","score":59,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":""},"source_ids":["lep_sc","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:2c6ca9beefcfdb1254816de6d210aee769f653fdeea5223bf8cc94d924f23fbd","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:245adcbd768ef5f4c6ee61c6ad22a419f6524ea34faab42a3bef56e457758920","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":["Tree"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_inferred"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["45013","45015","45019","45029","45043","45051","45053"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["45013","45015","45019","45029","45043","45051","45053"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_basis":"usda_l48_and_nc_flora_without_atlas_flag","native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"native_status":"native_inferred","source_ids":["sernec:88344","sernec:88350"],"source_name":"Juniperus silicicola","source_refs":["SC-checklist-3.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=3&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["SC-checklist-3.html","sernec_county"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=3&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":[6,7]},"fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 6 NC counties","light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","ph":"USDA PLANTS"},"fit_record":{"band":"Strong","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:2c6ca9beefcfdb1254816de6d210aee769f653fdeea5223bf8cc94d924f23fbd","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:245adcbd768ef5f4c6ee61c6ad22a419f6524ea34faab42a3bef56e457758920","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":["13051","37019","37031","37055","37095","37129","37177","45013","45015","45019","45029","45043","45051","45053"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":[6,7]},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 6 NC counties","light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","ph":"USDA PLANTS"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":59,"state":"SC"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","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":"Juniperus silicicola","source_record_id":273,"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":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Maritime forests and maritime scrub, hammocks, coastal shell middens and natural shell deposits, brackish marshes, pine rocklands in s. FL, and other sandy or peaty, circumneutral situations."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Se. Virginia (?) south to s. Florida, west to e. Louisiana (Florida Parishes); reports from further west (e.g. Texas) are misidentifications. Virginia records are ambiguous (see Virginia Botanical Associates 2023)."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Jan-Feb; Oct-Nov."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= RAB, SFla; = Juniperus virginiana L. ssp. silicicola (Small) Silba; = Juniperus virginiana L. var. silicicola (Small) A.E.Murray — FNA2, K1, K4, NS, POWO, Adams & Schwarzbach (2012), Adams & Schwarzbach (2013a), Adams (2008b), Adams (2014), Adams (2018); = n/a — C; = Sabina barbadensis (L.) Small — S13, misapplied; = Sabina silicicola Small — S; > Juniperus barbadensis L. — Bah, partially misapplied; Juniperus virginiana L. — Fl1, WH3; Juniperus virginiana L. var. virginiana — F]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"The recognition of the \" silicicola \" entity (and if recognized, at what rank) has been controversial. Some authors have treated this taxon as a species, but Adams (1986, 2008a, 2008b, 2014), Adams in FNA (1993b), and Adams & Schwarzbach (2012, 2013) considered varietal status more appropriate. Adams (1995) suggested that the two may have diverged as recently as the Pleistocene. Later, however, Adams (2008c, 2014) and Adams & Schwarzbach (2012, 2013) presented molecular evidence that \"var. silicicola may be of Caribbean origin or perhaps of hybrid origin between J. barbadensis var. lucayana and J. virginiana var. virginiana \". The \" virginiana \" and \" silicicola \" entities have been said to intergrade in GA, and in other areas the characters used to separate them seem variable or imperfectly correlated. A preliminary molecular phylogeny, however, shows J. virginiana clading with J. maritima of BC and WA, this clade sister to J. silicicola (Adams & Schwarzbach 2012, 2013), which if confirmed with more detailed sampling and analysis would suggest that species status is warranted. Given the uncertainty that \" virginiana \" and \" silicicola \" are indeed sister taxa (more closely related to one another than to other species) I choose to accord them species rank, despite the sometime challenges in their straightforward identification based on morphologic features. Large individuals can be as much as a meter in diameter."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":8},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}]},{"field":"wetland_source_note","source_column":"WetlandNote","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"Organism","value":"taxonomic split from wetland indicator species"},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":273,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr13","Attr1":"nc_cp,sc_cp,ga_cp,","Attr10":"C005,C020","Attr11":"C10","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_ga_cp:y,","Attr4":" 12-3","Attr5":"y","Attr6":"Cb","Attr7":"a,o,w","Attr9":"t"}}],"values":{"botanical_comments":"The recognition of the \" silicicola \" entity (and if recognized, at what rank) has been controversial. Some authors have treated this taxon as a species, but Adams (1986, 2008a, 2008b, 2014), Adams in FNA (1993b), and Adams & Schwarzbach (2012, 2013) considered varietal status more appropriate. Adams (1995) suggested that the two may have diverged as recently as the Pleistocene. Later, however, Adams (2008c, 2014) and Adams & Schwarzbach (2012, 2013) presented molecular evidence that \"var. silicicola may be of Caribbean origin or perhaps of hybrid origin between J. barbadensis var. lucayana and J. virginiana var. virginiana \". The \" virginiana \" and \" silicicola \" entities have been said to intergrade in GA, and in other areas the characters used to separate them seem variable or imperfectly correlated. A preliminary molecular phylogeny, however, shows J. virginiana clading with J. maritima of BC and WA, this clade sister to J. silicicola (Adams & Schwarzbach 2012, 2013), which if confirmed with more detailed sampling and analysis would suggest that species status is warranted. Given the uncertainty that \" virginiana \" and \" silicicola \" are indeed sister taxa (more closely related to one another than to other species) I choose to accord them species rank, despite the sometime challenges in their straightforward identification based on morphologic features. Large individuals can be as much as a meter in diameter.","geographic_range_description":"Se. Virginia (?) south to s. Florida, west to e. Louisiana (Florida Parishes); reports from further west (e.g. Texas) are misidentifications. Virginia records are ambiguous (see Virginia Botanical Associates 2023).","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr13","Attr1":"nc_cp,sc_cp,ga_cp,","Attr10":"C005,C020","Attr11":"C10","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_ga_cp:y,","Attr4":" 12-3","Attr5":"y","Attr6":"Cb","Attr7":"a,o,w","Attr9":"t"},"habitat_description":"Maritime forests and maritime scrub, hammocks, coastal shell middens and natural shell deposits, brackish marshes, pine rocklands in s. FL, and other sandy or peaty, circumneutral situations.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"heliophily_index":8,"phenology_source_text":"Jan-Feb; Oct-Nov.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= RAB, SFla; = Juniperus virginiana L. ssp. silicicola (Small) Silba; = Juniperus virginiana L. var. silicicola (Small) A.E.Murray — FNA2, K1, K4, NS, POWO, Adams & Schwarzbach (2012), Adams & Schwarzbach (2013a), Adams (2008b), Adams (2014), Adams (2018); = n/a — C; = Sabina barbadensis (L.) Small — S13, misapplied; = Sabina silicicola Small — S; > Juniperus barbadensis L. — Bah, partially misapplied; Juniperus virginiana L. — Fl1, WH3; Juniperus virginiana L. var. virginiana — F]","wetland_source_note":"taxonomic split from wetland indicator species"}},"ncsu_sitemap":{"matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:37:32.189184+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"150c911ab0287fe231de400736aa256372458ac7630747e9dbd32a22e1bb7ba4","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","field":"leaf_habit","original_field":"leaf_habit","record_id":"trait:1ed68759b7ed6e3758d34213220e9e4eb403f612bca623fd0bcb0fa975369a12","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:37:32.189184+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","source_sha256":"150c911ab0287fe231de400736aa256372458ac7630747e9dbd32a22e1bb7ba4","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:8bbd5ffe-5816-5074-854b-dc598aca8919","value":["Needled Evergreen"]},{"expected_source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","field":"light","original_field":"light","record_id":"trait:c2e5c053fa69e8992548cb1040fe78eb0d57d7b893969226402833ab6b3409fc","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:37:32.189184+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","source_sha256":"150c911ab0287fe231de400736aa256372458ac7630747e9dbd32a22e1bb7ba4","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:8bbd5ffe-5816-5074-854b-dc598aca8919","value":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","field":"hardiness_zones","original_field":"hardiness","record_id":"trait:cbdd5b1d800ceb71d767dfc9470e959e1c83e76670527a531041973c3388d7be","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:37:32.189184+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","source_sha256":"150c911ab0287fe231de400736aa256372458ac7630747e9dbd32a22e1bb7ba4","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:8bbd5ffe-5816-5074-854b-dc598aca8919","value":["7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b"]},{"expected_source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:f663dfc60b3970a034e6725b70727c4c0a60467b91492314c16320ff8e43e08f","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:37:32.189184+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","source_sha256":"150c911ab0287fe231de400736aa256372458ac7630747e9dbd32a22e1bb7ba4","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana-var-silicicola/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:8bbd5ffe-5816-5074-854b-dc598aca8919","value":["Perennial","Woody"]}],"values":{"hardiness_zones":["7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b"],"leaf_habit":["Needled Evergreen"],"life_cycle":["Perennial","Woody"],"light":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"]}},"usda":{"matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","retrieved":"2026-09-24","scope":"Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary","source_label":"USDA PLANTS","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/","usda_id":15262,"values":{"bloom_season":"Late Winter","flower_color":"Yellow","foliage_color":"Green","fruit_season_begin":"Spring","fruit_season_end":"Fall","growth_architecture":"Single Stem","growth_rate":"Slow","height_ft":65,"leaf_retention":"Yes"}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus silicicola","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola","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 South Carolina (estimated from combined sources)","rule":"southeast-native-synthesis-1","status":"native_inferred"},"source_name":"Juniperus silicicola","taxon_id":"taxon:8bbd5ffe-5816-5074-854b-dc598aca8919","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[]}