paper nailwort

Paronychia chartacea, described by Fernald in 1936, is a flowering plant native only to Florida. The two recognized subspecies, ssp. chartacea and ssp. minima, occupy distinct regions within the state. Ssp. chartacea is primarily found in Central Florida, particularly on the Lake Wales Ridge, while ssp. minima is limited to the Florida Panhandle. Due to their restricted ranges and lack of overlap, both subspecies face significant conservation challenges. They are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the species as a whole is considered threatened. Conservation efforts are critical to preserving the genetic diversity and survival of both subspecies.