CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California facts for kids

Endangered Delphinium bakeri, Baker's larkspur.

Critically endangered Calochortus tiburonensis, Tiburon mariposa lily.

Endangered Arctostaphylos refugioensis, Refugio manzanita.

Endangered Pinus torreyana, Torrey pine.

The CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California is like a special online book. It lists plants in California that are rare, threatened, or in danger of disappearing. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) helps create and update this important list.

What is the California Rare Plant List?

This list includes all types of plants that the State of California or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say are threatened, endangered, or rare. The list is always being updated. New plants are added, and changes are made to existing ones. Since 2014, the list also includes special types of Lichens that need protection.

Why is this List Important?

The Inventory is published every few years. The State and Federal governments use it for conservation planning. This means they use it to help protect plants and their homes. Scientists use it for research. It also helps people make sure environmental laws are followed in California.

How the List Started

The CNPS first created the Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. A famous plant scientist named G. Ledyard Stebbins helped guide them.

The very first printed version came out in 1974. The last printed book was published in 2001. Today, the list is mostly an online database. It was updated in 2010 and is still being updated all the time. Many volunteers, the California Native Plant Society, and the University of California, Riverside Herbarium help keep this important online list going.