PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Louisiana Broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana)

orob_ludo_001.jpg

 

 

 

 

8819.jpg

Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Louisiana Broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in sandy areas, including dry prairies, barrens, and creek bottoms. Blooming occurs late-August through early-September, fruiting throughout September. The optimal identification period for this species is late-August through early-September.

Myzorrhiza ludoviciana, Orobanche ludoviciana var. ludoviciana, Orobanche ludoviciana var. arenosa

 
 
 

Louisiana broomrape is an erect forb with many-flowered, dense, spikes forming 33-67% of the shoot. Flowers are mostly sessile or the lower on erect pedicels to 15mm, calyx subtended by 1 or 2 bractlets, as well as by a bract, 2-lipped, the upper lip with a single lobe, the lower with 4, calyx lobes are linear, 8-12mm. corolla often purplish, 1.5-2.5cm. Fruits are 2-valved capsules with many seeds. Its many leaves are reduced to scales and are appressed.

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

Annual. The optimal identification period for this species is late-August through early-September.

Root parasite. Associated species include Heterotheca villosa, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Cenchrus longispinus.

Louisiana broomrape is found in sandy areas, including dry prairies, barrens, and creek bottoms.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Because this plant is an annual, work may safely be conducted before the plants emerge or after they have developed mature seeds.

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.