PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Blooming occurs early-August through late-September, fruiting occurs throughout September.

Perennial. The leaves of this plant can be abundant in the spring but senesce by mid-summer and flowering is rare so the optimal identification period for this species is late-April through May.

Associated species include Tilia americana, Laportea canadensis, Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus americana, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Asarum canadense, Circaea lutetiana, Parthenium integrifolium, Prunus species, Quercus alba, Pyrus ioensis, and Osmorhiza claytonii.

Nodding rattlesnake-root is often found in openings in mesic to dry-mesic hardwoods, particularly along creeks and in seepage areas.

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 direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Avoid rapid and dramatic reductions in canopy cover and, basal area, in wet areas to reduce risk of swamping.

Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive 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.