Blue Bugle vs Lesser Smoothcap

Ajuga genevensis compared with Atrichum angustatum

Key Differences

• Blue Bugle is Critically Endangered while Lesser Smoothcap is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blue Bugle	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 genevensis	Atrichum angustatum

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Blue Bugle

CR — Critically Endangered

Lesser Smoothcap

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Blue Bugle	Lesser Smoothcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blue Bugle

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 8 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Uzbekistan), Europe (7 countries), and North America (Canada, United States). Currently classified as Critically 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.

Blue Bugle

The Blue Bugle (Ajuga genevensis) is a species in the genus Ajuga. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 8 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also fo

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

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