Mentzelia nitens was considered for inclusion in the CNPS Inventory in 1999 but was subsequently rejected because it was considered too common. Photo by L. Blakely 1999.

Taxa Not Included in the CNPS Inventory

CNPS has tracked plants that are rare from a statewide perspective since the late 1960’s with over 2,000 taxa currently considered by CNPS to be rare statewide (see CNPS’ Online Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California). However, one should keep in mind that if a species is not included in the CNPS Inventory, it does not necessarily mean that the species is not rare.

While CNPS strives to maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of rare plants, the size of California, the large number of unique California endemic plants, and the dynamic nature of rare plant data makes maintaining this list a challenging enterprise. There are several major reasons why a plant not included in the CNPS Inventory may still be considered rare. One should consider the issues below before making a final decision on the rarity of a plant.

• Many plants that are not rare from a statewide perspective may none-the-less be rare from a regional perspective (see Locally Rare Plants discussion).
• Species that were once considered to be too common or that were not thought to occur in California (“considered but rejected” taxa), may have become rare or have subsequently been found in California in the years since the taxon was first examined by CNPS and the information has not yet been updated. See below for a list of Considered But Rejected Taxa (CBR).
• Species that are on the list of postponed taxa may in fact be rare and would especially benefit from collection of information so that an accurate assessment of their rarity can be made. See below for a list of Postponed Taxa.
• There are also taxa that have not yet been brought to the attention of CNPS as rare or that are in the CNPS backlog of rare taxa scheduled to undergo review for inclusion in the CNPS Inventory.

A list of taxa that have been considered by CNPS but subsequently rejected for inclusion in the Inventory, as well as a list of species that have been postponed, are provided below. If you have information that any of these taxa deserve inclusion in the CNPS Inventory, please let us know by contacting CNPS Rare Plant Botanist Kristi Lazar at 916/324-3816 or njensencnps.org.

Considered But Rejected (CBR) Taxa (PDF, 50k) - contains a list of taxa that have been considered for inclusion into the CNPS Inventory, but were not included for various reasons.

Postponed Taxa (PDF, 16k) - contains a list of approximately 300 taxa, which were considered as possible new additions during the development of the CNPS Inventory 6th edition and our ongoing data review process, but were "postponed" due to significant taxonomic uncertainty and/or lack of information regarding distribution, abundance, rarity and/or endangerment.