PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Snowy Campion (Silene nivea)

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Photo by Josh Freiburger

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Snowy Campion (Silene nivea), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on streambanks and stream-side meadows, often in reed canary grass. It also occurs along deciduous forest margins, near streams and rivers. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting early-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through July.

Cucubalus niveus

 
 
 

Snowy campion is an erect forb, 2-3dm tall with stems that are smooth or covered in very fine, short hairs. It has few, mostly axillary flowers, a greenish calyx, 1.5cm, and umbilicate. Petals are white, without auricles, and with oblong ligule-like appendages 1-1.6mm. Blades are cuneate, 8mm, 2-lobed or 2-cleft, it has 3 styles. Fruits are spherical, unilocular, capsules opening by 6 teeth, seeds are dark. Leaves are opposite, mainly or wholly cauline, sessile or short-petiolate, lanceolate or lance-oblong, 5-10cm long by 1-3.5cm wide.

It can be distinguished from other Silene species by its glabrous, inflated calyx and petals with ligule-like appendages.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting early-July through late-August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through July.

Associated species include Angelica atropurpurea, Rudbeckia laciniata, and Phalaris arundinacea.

Snowy campion prefers sandy, alluvial soils and is found on stream banks and stream-side meadows, often in reed canary grass. It also occurs along deciduous forest margins, near streams and rivers.

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.

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.

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

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.