State Status: SC
Federal Status: none
State Rank: S2
Global Rank: G5
Photo by John Zaborsky
Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences
Prairie Turnip (Pediomelum esculentum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry prairies, especially on dolomitic hillsides near oak woodland margins. Blooming occurs late-May through late-July, fruiting early-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through August.
Psoralea esculenta
Prairie turnip is an erect forb, 10-40cm tall, with many very hairy branches. It has 3-8cm long spikes that are very dense and covered in white hairs, flowers are blue and 15-20mm long. Its fruit is covered in many coarse, stiff hairs, its beak is flat, evidently longer than the body. Leaves are divided into 5 oblong to inverse lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaflets that are 2-6cm long, petioles are 4-10cm long and covered in numerous white hairs.
Its conspicuously spreading and hairy, its fruit is covered in many coarse, stiff hairs, and its main petioles are 4-10cm in length, all of which distinguish it from similar species.
Blooming occurs late-May through late-July, fruiting early-July through late-August.
Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through August.
Associated species include Quercus velutina, Q alba, Andropogon scoparius, Bouteloua hirsuta, Aster sericeus, Besseya bullii, Cirsium hillii, Astragalus crassicarpus, Delphinium virescens, Artemisia frigida, and Sorghastrum nutans.
Prairie turnip prefers dry, sometimes calcareous soils and is found in dry prairies, especially on dolomitic hillsides near oak woodland margins.
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.
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.
