PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Sweet Colt's-foot (Petasites sagittatus)

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Photo by June Dobberpuhl

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Sweet Colt's-foot (Petasites sagittatus), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in cold marshes and swamp openings, often forming large clones. Blooming occurs throughout May, fruiting throughout June. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through late-August.

Petasites dentatus, Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus, Tussilago sagittata

 
 
 

Sweet colt's-foot is an erect forb, 1-5dm tall, with an inflorescence in a raceme or corymb-shape with whitish flowers, the outer 10-25 in pistillate heads, the rays are commonly 8-9mm. Fruits are cypselae, 3-3.5mm long and ribbed. Its basal leaves are triangular-ovate, cordate or more commonly arrow-shaped, and downward-pointing at the base, up to 30cm, pinnipalmately veined, with 20-45 teeth on each side. They are densely white-hairy beneath.

It is distinguished from look-alikes by its combination of white flowers and toothed (vs lobed) basal leaves.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs throughout May, fruiting throughout June. This species hybridizes with Petasites palmatus.

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

Associated species include Calamagrostis canadensis, Salix petiolaris, Alnus rugosa, Cornus stolonifera, Carex stricta, and Sparganium glomeratum. This species hybridizes with Petasites palmatus.

Sweet colt's-foot is found in cold marshes and swamp openings, often forming large clones.

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 locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

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

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

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.