{"assessment":{"band":"Strong","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Acmispon helleri"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established Virginia 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":66,"composite":0.739,"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":0.5942928039702233,"birds":0.8511166253101737,"caterpillars":0.7816377171215881,"specialists":0.890818858560794,"structure":0.5},"rank_pct":0.705,"raw":{"bees":2,"birds":5,"caterpillars":10,"genus_used":["Acmispon","Lotus"],"specialists":1,"structure":["Forb/herb"]}},"fit_score":null,"native_basis":"native_supported","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 Virginia host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Virginia percentile","score":66,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":"S1"},"source_ids":["lep_va","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:9f01066dd24989b97def789afb1607e3d8723f9a48bd3836ce1c39e2ef697bf9","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"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:c897b306f0631ee65206accfcfa50dbbb086b15da88d70427fa8efbc8df78b76","levels":[0,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,3],"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_supported"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["51019","51037","51083","51143"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["51019","51037","51083","51143"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_basis":"state_source","native_decided_by":"va_heritage","native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","flag":"N","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"VA","source":"va_atlas","url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931"},{"basis":"exact taxon in the state heritage program list of native plants","claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"VA","source":"va_heritage","srank":"S1","url":"https://dcr.am.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/plantlist-current.pdf"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Lotus helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Lotus unifoliolatus var. helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Georgia","claim":"native","scope":"GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names South Carolina","claim":"native","scope":"SC","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midatlanticfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Virginia","claim":"native","scope":"VA","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midatlanticfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon americanus var. helleri","scope":"VA","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"S1","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148410/Acmispon_americanus_var_helleri"}],"native_explanation":"Virginia DCR Natural Heritage rare plant list (government agency, state claim) gives the value. Speaks for its own area (GA, GA-NC-SC, NC, SC), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley), Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","native_provenance":{"flags":[],"source":"va_heritage","specificity":"state","tier":"government"},"native_status":"native_supported","package_native_status":"native_supported","source_ids":["va_atlas:VA:2931"],"source_name":"Acmispon helleri","source_refs":["gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer","va_atlas","va_heritage"],"source_url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931","state_rank":"S1"},"source_refs":["gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer","va_atlas","va_heritage"],"source_url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931","state_rank":{"value":"S1"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,3],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 12 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Strong","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:9f01066dd24989b97def789afb1607e3d8723f9a48bd3836ce1c39e2ef697bf9","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"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:c897b306f0631ee65206accfcfa50dbbb086b15da88d70427fa8efbc8df78b76","levels":[0,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,3],"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":["01071","13073","13105","13133","13181","13189","13221","13247","37025","37033","37057","37059","37077","37097","37119","37145","37159","37167","37179","37185","45001","45023","45039","45047","45059","45065","45071","45081","45091","51019","51037","51083","51143"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,3],"ph":null},"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 12 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":true,"flags":[{"code":"conservation_caution","default_excluded":true,"label":"Rare or protected plant","message":"Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions.","records":[{"name":"Acmispon helleri","rank":"S1","source":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931","state":"VA"}],"source":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931"}],"review_status":"reviewed","suggestions_excluded":true},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":66,"state":"VA"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":true,"flags":[{"code":"conservation_caution","default_excluded":true,"label":"Rare or protected plant","message":"Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions.","records":[{"name":"Acmispon helleri","rank":"S1","source":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931","state":"VA"}],"source":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931"}],"review_status":"reviewed","suggestions_excluded":true},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","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":"Acmispon helleri","source_record_id":2688,"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":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Dry woodlands and openings, originally probably limited to prairie-like sites (fire-maintained, post oak-blackjack oak savannas), generally on clayey soils, now primarily seen on roadbanks, along railroads, and in powerline rights-of-way, where mowing and bush-hogging have replaced fire as the force keeping the habitat open, sunny, and suitable for this plant of prairie affinities."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":"(Jun-) Jul-Aug (-Sep)."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= S, Va; = Acmispon americanus (Nutt.) Rydb. var. helleri (Britton) Brouillet — FNA11.1, K4, POWO; = Lotus helleri Britton — RAB, S13; = Lotus purshianus F.E. & E.G.Clem. var. helleri (Britton) Isely — C, SE3, Isely (1981), Isely (1998); = Lotus unifoliolatus (Hook.) Benth. var. helleri (Britton) Kartesz & Gandhi — K1, NS; Lotus americanus (Nutt.) Bisch. — F; Lotus purshianus F.E. & E.G.Clem. — G]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":"A. helleri is clearly closely related to A. americanus (= Lotus unifoliolatus , = Lotus purshianus , = Lotus americanus ), of prairies of the midwestern states and various habitats farther west, which ranges east to LA, AR, MO, IL, IN, and WI. Isely (1981) reduced A. helleri to a variety (in Lotus ), because it \"is but one of many elements within the L. purshianus complex and its differences from the rest are less than among the California races,\" while also stating \"since it has no breeding contact with var . purshianus , it is reasonably maintained as a species.\" Since A. helleri seems adequately separated from A. americanus by its narrower leaflets, glabrate vestiture, and allopatric distribution, we choose to reasonably maintain it as a species. See Sorrie (2015) for notes on its morphology."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"Organism","value":9},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":2688,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr09","Attr1":"nc_pd,sc_pd,ga_pd,","Attr10":"nr","Attr11":"3,5","Attr12":"e","Attr13":"bil","Attr15":"pi,wh,ye","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"DSS","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr3":"Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 6-9","Attr5":"er","Attr6":"glb,pub","Attr7":"alt","Attr8":"c","Attr9":"in,wi"}}],"values":{"botanical_comments":"A. helleri is clearly closely related to A. americanus (= Lotus unifoliolatus , = Lotus purshianus , = Lotus americanus ), of prairies of the midwestern states and various habitats farther west, which ranges east to LA, AR, MO, IL, IN, and WI. Isely (1981) reduced A. helleri to a variety (in Lotus ), because it \"is but one of many elements within the L. purshianus complex and its differences from the rest are less than among the California races,\" while also stating \"since it has no breeding contact with var . purshianus , it is reasonably maintained as a species.\" Since A. helleri seems adequately separated from A. americanus by its narrower leaflets, glabrate vestiture, and allopatric distribution, we choose to reasonably maintain it as a species. See Sorrie (2015) for notes on its morphology.","geographic_range_description":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr09","Attr1":"nc_pd,sc_pd,ga_pd,","Attr10":"nr","Attr11":"3,5","Attr12":"e","Attr13":"bil","Attr15":"pi,wh,ye","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"DSS","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr3":"Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 6-9","Attr5":"er","Attr6":"glb,pub","Attr7":"alt","Attr8":"c","Attr9":"in,wi"},"habitat_description":"Dry woodlands and openings, originally probably limited to prairie-like sites (fire-maintained, post oak-blackjack oak savannas), generally on clayey soils, now primarily seen on roadbanks, along railroads, and in powerline rights-of-way, where mowing and bush-hogging have replaced fire as the force keeping the habitat open, sunny, and suitable for this plant of prairie affinities.","habitat_light_categories":["Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist"],"heliophily_index":9,"phenology_source_text":"(Jun-) Jul-Aug (-Sep).","taxonomic_synonymy":"[= S, Va; = Acmispon americanus (Nutt.) Rydb. var. helleri (Britton) Brouillet — FNA11.1, K4, POWO; = Lotus helleri Britton — RAB, S13; = Lotus purshianus F.E. & E.G.Clem. var. helleri (Britton) Isely — C, SE3, Isely (1981), Isely (1998); = Lotus unifoliolatus (Hook.) Benth. var. helleri (Britton) Kartesz & Gandhi — K1, NS; Lotus americanus (Nutt.) Bisch. — F; Lotus purshianus F.E. & E.G.Clem. — G]"}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","flag":"N","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"VA","source":"va_atlas","url":"https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2931"},{"basis":"exact taxon in the state heritage program list of native plants","claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"VA","source":"va_heritage","srank":"S1","url":"https://dcr.am.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/plantlist-current.pdf"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Lotus helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Lotus unifoliolatus var. helleri","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Georgia","claim":"native","scope":"GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names South Carolina","claim":"native","scope":"SC","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"DC-DE-IL-IN-KY-MD-NJ-NY-OH-PA-VA-WV","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midatlanticfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Virginia","claim":"native","scope":"VA","source":"floraquest_northern_tier","text":"A. helleri is endemic to the Piedmont of extreme sc. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and ne. Georgia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midatlanticfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"native","matched_name":"Acmispon americanus var. helleri","scope":"VA","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"S1","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148410/Acmispon_americanus_var_helleri"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"va_heritage","explanation":"Virginia DCR Natural Heritage rare plant list (government agency, state claim) gives the value. Speaks for its own area (GA, GA-NC-SC, NC, SC), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley), Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","label":"Native to Virginia (state-specific source)","provenance":{"flags":[],"source":"va_heritage","specificity":"state","tier":"government"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"native_supported"},"source_name":"Acmispon helleri","taxon_id":"taxon:e1f6b1fc-0e68-5ef4-a585-b4af9e6baff2","revision":"publish:903368a2-17ec-496c-89d2-a217f30d9dda","photos":[{"id":"nohands-inat-419445272","src":"/api/photos/image/299b6e7f0389626deb4974582e9e17ff96d98217b4e65fa2df67141e67539b7d.jpeg","view":"bloom","alt":"Acmispon helleri — bloom photograph","width":723,"height":1024,"artist":"no rights reserved","license":"CC0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/419445272","changes":"iNaturalist large rendition; uncropped, no retouching.","kind":"photo"}]}