PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Purple Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum var. flavum)

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Photo by Kitty Kohout

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Purple Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum var. flavum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in moist prairies and woodlands, but is naturalized on roadsides and embankments. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting early-July through early-October. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through late-September.

Thaspium trifoliatum var. aureum

 
 
 
Identification

Purple meadow parsnip is an erect forb, 3-8dm tall, with flowers that are all pedicellate, petals are yellow, cream, or dark purple. Its fruits are ellipsoid, 3.5-5mm, 3/4 as wide, including the broad wings. Basal leaves are simple, broadly ovate, usually cordate at the base, cauline leaves are ordinarily pinnate, with 3 or 5 ovate or lanceolate.

If in fruit, look for broad wings on all sides. If in flower, look for the central flower of each umbellet, which will be staminate and pediceled. Some Zizia species have umbellets with staminate, pediceled central flowers. Be sure to examine enough material to make a distinction between these species.

Phenology and Reproduction

Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting early-July through early-October.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through September.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Quercus macrocarpa, Salix species, Cornus racemosa, Anemone virginiana, Eupatorium purpureum, Arenaria lateriflora, Potentilla arguta, Eryngium yuccifolium, and Ratibida pinnata.

Habitat

Purple meadow parsnip is found in moist prairies and woodlands where there are wet to dry-mesic soils, but is naturalized on roadsides and embankments.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

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.

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 partial canopy to encourage woodland species, avoid closed-canopy conditions.

Wildlife Action Plan

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.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377