G.A. Allen
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.637297
Element CodePMLIL0U0T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyLiliaceae
GenusErythronium
Concept ReferenceAllen, G. A. 2001. Hybrid speciation in Erythronium (Liliaceae): a new allotetraploid species from Washington state. Systematic Botany 26(2):263-272.
Taxonomic CommentsErythronium quinaultense was described in 2001, and was discovered via molecular analysis to be of hybrid origin with parents E. revolutum and E. montanum (Allen 2001). E. quinaultense is morphologically intermediate between E. revolutum and E. montanum (Allen 2001). "In both elevation and geographic range it is distinct from its parent taxa" (Allen 2001).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-04-29
Change Date2026-04-29
Edition Date2026-04-29
Edition AuthorsTomaino, A. (2020), rev. Dan Turck (WANHP) and Soteropoulos (2026)
Threat ImpactVery high
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank ReasonsErythronium quinaultense is a perennial herb found in openings and on rocky ledges in wet, montane coniferous forest. It is endemic to the northwestern United States in the southwestern Olympic Mountains in Washington. There are four occurrences, which face very high threats from logging and associated logging roads as well as trampling by elk. Population persistence after logging is uncertain, though plants may not survive this habitat alteration or subsequent reforestation with dense stands for timber.
Range Extent CommentsErythronium quinaultense is endemic to the northwestern United States, where it is restricted to a small geographic area of two adjacent ridge systems in the southwestern Olympic Mountains, Washington, in Clallam, Grays Harbor, and Jefferson counties (Allen 2001, WANHP 2026).
Occurrences CommentsThere are four occurrences (WANHP 2026b).
Threat Impact CommentsErythronium quinaultense faces very high threats from logging, logging roads, and trampling by elk (WANHP 2026b). Three of the four occurrences are located on lands that will have timber harvesting (WANHP 2026b). The USFS (2008) noted impact by invasive plants at eight sites in Olympic National Forest, but the current scope and severity of invasive species is unknown.