Ajuga vs Lesser Smoothcap

Ajuga reptans compared with Atrichum angustatum

Key Differences

• Ajuga is Endangered while Lesser Smoothcap is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ajuga	Lesser Smoothcap
Kingdom same	Plantae (Plants)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Bryophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Polytrichopsida (Polytrichopsida)
Order	Lamiales (Lamiales)	Polytrichales (Polytrichales)
Family	Lamiaceae	Polytrichaceae
Genus	Ajuga	Atrichum
Species	Ajuga reptans	Atrichum angustatum

Evolutionary Relationship

Ajuga and Lesser Smoothcap share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Plantae. (Plants)

Conservation Status

Ajuga

EN — Endangered

Lesser Smoothcap

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Ajuga	Lesser Smoothcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ajuga

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, tundra, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (South Africa), Asia (Japan), Europe (6 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lesser Smoothcap

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Ajuga

The Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) is a species in the genus Ajuga. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, tundra, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environment.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 6 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States