Native Plant Community Classification Survey
The DNR's Native Plant Community Classification is used throughout Minnesota for vegetation management, conservation and land-use planning. The DNR is in the process of updating the classification and would like your input by taking this short survey.
Species Lists and County Maps
MNTaxa is a database organizing the vascular plant species that have been documented in Minnesota. This data can be used to generate regional or county checklists for survey work, projects and reports . MNTaxa provides full scientific name, including family, genus, species, and variety or subspecies (when applicable). Other available attributes include: the native status in Minnesota, physiognomy, C-values, S and G-ranks, listing status, pollination information and the counties and subcounties in which the species has been documented.
Create your own reports by clicking here or the map below. Create statewide reports or select counties of interest. View or download your checklist in a spreadsheet format. View or download maps as well. More detailed instructions and metadata are available. Note some data is only available with downloads.
Data Sources
The scientific names in MNTaxa are based on Trees and Shrubs of Minnesota (Smith, 2018), Ferns and Lycophytes of Minnesota (Smith, 2023), Sedges and Rushes of Minnesota (Smith, 2018), and the published volumes of Flora of North America North of Mexico, (Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 1993–, Oxford University Press, New York). For species not yet published by FNA, nomenclature follows that of Gleason & Cronquist's Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada.
These maps reflect vouchered specimens present in herbarium collections at the University of Minnesota Herbarium, a division of the Bell Museum of Natural History on the St. Paul campus, and select plant families (Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae, and ferns) from the Olga Lakela Herbarium at University of Minnesota Duluth.
The Minnesota Pollination Guide provides data and information on the reproduction and pollination characteristics of native plant species in the state. These data will be available through MNTaxa and are accessible to download along with complementary information about the project and its outcomes.
Coefficients of Conservatism for Plants by Ecological Provinces of Minnesota. Coefficients of conservatism reflect a species’ tolerance to degradation and its fidelity to specific habitats. Species most sensitive to habitat degradation and most confined to a narrow range of microhabitat conditions are considered to be the most conservative. Original assignment of values are available for: A the Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, the Luarentian mixed forest, and the Eastern broadleaf forest.
Conservation Status Ranks (S-rank and G-rank)
The idea of species conservation ranking was created by NatureServe, a conservation partner bringing together biodiversity data across state and country boundaries. This assessment can be done at a variety of spatial scales, globally, nationally, or subnationally (e.g., state or province). Depending on the level, a prefix is applied to the rank (G = Global, N = National, S = Subnational; in our case the state of Minnesota is the ‘subnation’). This letter is then followed by a number or letter, signifying the risk of a particular species becoming extinct at the designated spatial scale. The conservation status rank information is maintained in the NHIS Biotics database, and added to the attributes of the MNTaxa database.
Listing Status
A species’ listing status refers to its designation as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern as defined by state law. These species are documented and tracked in the NHIS Biotics database. In addition to these designations, a status of Watchlist has been applied to a subset of species. This designation has no legal status. However, these species are tracked and documented in our NHIS databases to help inform future listing decisions. Please visit the page for more information. The listing status may contain a prefix of “SLL” or “SHL”. These prefixes indicate that a taxon has a listing status at a lower or higher taxonmic level.
Other Useful Plant Databases:
An interactive, searchable database of plant species used in wetland and lakeshore restorations is available from the Native Plant Encyclopedia of Restore Your Shore.
For more specific data on individual rare species (those with a listing under 'state status') consult the Rare Species Guide. Plants listed as Threatened or Endangered may not be collected or planted without a permit from the MnDNR, Ecological and Water Resources Division.
MNTaxa is developed and maintained by the Minnesota Biological Survey program, Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Minnesota DNR. Disclaimer: This list is subject to periodic revision. Comments regarding the status of individual species can be submitted to:
Welby Smith
MNDNR Botanist
phone: 651-259-5142
email: [email protected].
For county record data, or data associated with nomenclature, contact:
Derek Anderson
MNDNR Plant Ecologist/Botanist
phone: 651-259-5071
email: [email protected]