PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Giant Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea)

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Photo by J. Zoreb

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Giant Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in white pine stands in northern dry-mesic forests. Blooming occurs early-June through late-August, fruiting early-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

 
 
 

Giant pinedrops is an erect forb with numerous nodding flowers in a long, terminal raceme, 1-3dm. Its white to (more often) reddish, bell-shaped corolla are 6-7mm, with spreading recurved lobes that are 1-2mm. Its fruit capsules are strongly nodding and many-seeded. Seeds have a broad, terminal wing. Leaves are numerous and scale-like, especially below.

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

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

Associated species include Pinus strobus, Juniperus communis, and Poa pratensis.

Giant pinedrops is found in white pine stands in northern dry-mesic forests.

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.

Avoid site preparation that heavily disturbs herbaceous ground layer and soil, including bulldozing and furrowing, as well as grubbing and stump removal.

Silvicultural techniques that result in frequent soil distrubance should be avoided.

Minimize removal of conifers near occurrences of this 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.