Description of Rank Codes

Global Rank (GRank)

Global Rank characterizes the relative rarity or endangerment of the element world-wide.

G1 = Critically Imperiled - At very high risk of extinction or elimination due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, very severe threats, or  other factors.
G2 = Imperiled - At high risk of extinction or elimination due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
G3 = Vulnerable - At moderate risk of extinction or elimination  due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations  or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors.
G4 = Apparently Secure - At fairly low risk of extinction  or elimination due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors.
G5 = Secure  At very low risk or extinction or elimination due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, and little to no concern from declines or threats.
GH = Possibly Extinct - Known from only historical occurrences but still some hope of rediscovery.
GU = Unrankable - Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
GX = Presumed Extinct - Not located despite intensive searches and virtually no likelihood of rediscovery.
GNR = Unranked - Global rank not yet assessed.
G#G# = Range Rank - A numeric range rank (e.g., G2G3, G1G3) is used to indicate uncertainty about the exact status of a taxon or ecosystem type.

Rank Qualifiers
? = Inexact Numeric Rank - Denotes inexact numeric rank.
Q = Questionable taxonomy that may reduce conservation priority   Distinctiveness of this entity as a taxon at the current level is questionable; resolution of this uncertainty may result in change from a species to a subspecies or hybrid, or inclusion of this taxon or type in another taxon or type, with the resulting taxon having a lower-priority (numerically higher) conservation status rank.

Infraspecific Taxon  status ranks
T# = Infraspecific Taxon (trinomial) - The status of infraspecific taxa (subspecies or varieties) are indicated by a “T-rank” following the species’ global rank. Rules for assigning T-ranks follow the same principles outlined above.

State Rank (SRank)

State Rank characterizes the relative rarity or endangerment within the state of Washington.

S1 = Critically Imperiled - At very high risk of extirpation in the state due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
S2 = Imperiled - At high risk of extirpation in the state due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
S3 = Vulnerable - At moderate risk of extirpation in the state due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors.
S4 = Apparently Secure - At a fairly  low risk of extirpation in the  state due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but  with  possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent  declines, threats, or other factors.
S5 = Secure - At very low or no risk of extirpation in the state due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, with little to no concern from declines or threats.
SH = Possibly Extirpated - Known from only historical records but still some hope of rediscovery.
SX = Presumed Extirpated - Species is believed to be extirpated from the state. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

Rank Qualifiers
S#? = Inexact Numeric Rank - Denotes inexact numeric rank.
S#S# = Range Rank - A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3 or S1S3) is used to indicate any range of uncertainty about the status of the species.
SU = Unrankable - Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
SNR = Unranked - Subnational conservation status not yet assessed
SNA = Not Applicable - A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species or ecosystem is not a suitable target for conservation activities.

State Status (StStat)

State Status of plant species is determined by the Washington Natural Heritage Program. Factors considered include abundance, occurrence patterns, vulnerability, threats, existing protection, and taxonomic distinctness. Values include:

E = Endangered. In danger of becoming extinct or extirpated from Washington.
T = Threatened. Likely to become endangered within the near future in Washington if the factors contributing to population decline or habitat loss continue.
S = Sensitive. Vulnerable or declining and could become endangered or threatened in the state without active management or removal of threats.
X = Possibly extinct or Extirpated. Documented to have previously occurred within Washington, but no longer thought to be present here. 
P1 = Priority 1. Rare nonvascular plant but with insufficient information to assign another rank.
P2 = Priority 2. Nonvascular plant of concern but with insufficient information to assign another rank.
R1 = Review group 1. Of potential concern but needs more field work to assign another rank.
R2 = Review group 2. Of potential concern but with unresolved taxonomic questions.
W = Watch. Species that are more abundant and/or less threatened in Washington than previously thought. These species are no longer maintained in the Washington Natural Heritage Program database; the program does not request additional sighting information, and these species are no longer a focus of conservation efforts.

Federal Status

Federal Status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (USESA) as published in the Federal Register.
For complete definitions of endangered and threatened under the federal ESA, see http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/section-3.html

LE = Listed Endangered. The plant is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
LT = Listed Threatened.  The plant is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
PE = Proposed Endangered.  A plant that is proposed to be listed as endangered and is undergoing a review process
PT = Proposed Threatened.  A plant that is proposed to be listed as threatened and is undergoing a review process
C = Candidate species. A plant for which FWS or NOAA Fisheries has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened.
SC = Species of Concern. An informal term referring to a species that might be in need of conservation action. Such species receive no legal protection and use of the term does not necessarily imply that a species will eventually be proposed for listing.
NL = Not Listed. Used when two portions of a taxon have different federal status.