PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Prairie Parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii)

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Photo by Chris Noll

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Prairie Parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in prairies and in open areas that were once savannas. Blooming occurs early-May through late-June, fruiting late-June through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-May through late-August.

 
 
 

Prairie parsley is an erect forb, 5-10dm tall, with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence, that is terminal, axillary, and compound. Flowered sections are small, with numerous short (3-5mm) pedicels, ovate sepals, yellow petals, 10-20 rays that are rough to the touch. Its fruits are elliptic or oblong, 6-8 mm, strongly flattened dorsally, and depressed in the center over the dorsal ribs. Lower leaves are long-petioled, ovate, and the ultimate segments are narrowly ovate to linear-oblong, each usually has a few sharp teeth.

It can be distinguished from wild parsnip and golden Alexanders by its leaves, which are more finely divided.

Blooming occurs early-May through late-June, fruiting late-June through late-August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-May through August.

Associated species include Andropogon gerardii, Solidago gigantea, S rigida, Euphorbia corollata, Phlox pilosa, Tradescantia ohioensis, Lithspermum canescens, and Stipa spartea.

Prairie parsley is found in prairies and in open areas that were once savannas.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Maintain low canopy cover areas for savanna and barrens plant species.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.