PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Silvery Scurf Pea (Pediomelum argophyllum)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Silvery Scurf Pea (Pediomelum argophyllum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry prairies. Blooming occurs late-June through early-August, fruiting late-July through early-September. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through early-September.

Psoralea argophylla, Psoralidium argophyllum

 
 
 

Silvery scurf pea is an erect forb, 30-60cm, that is very branched and covered with many long, soft, slender white hairs. Its flower heads consist of several levels of tightly bunched 8-10mm long, dark blue, lobed, tube-like flowers that attach directly to the stem or branch. Its fruits are densely silky. Leaves are divided into 3-5 narrowly elliptic to inversely lance-shaped or egg-shaped, 2-5cm long leaflets, petioles are 1-3+ cm.

Its woody rhizomes and 4-10mm-long flowers are distinguishing characteristics.

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

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

Silvery scurf pea is found in dry prairies with gravelly soils.

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 and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

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.