PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Golden-seal (Hydrastis canadensis)

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Photo by Ryan O'Connor

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Golden-seal (Hydrastis canadensis), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in rich, mesic hardwood forests. Blooming occurs late-April through early-May, fruiting in July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-April through July.

 
 
 

Golden-seal is an erect forb, 2-5dm tall, with flowers that are 8-18cm wide with numerous white exserted stamens. Its 3 sepals drop after flower opens, petals are absent. It has red berries with 1-2 seeds per pistil, 5-8mm. Basal leaf usually solitary and quickly deciduous. It has 2 alternate cauline leaves near summit that are toothed, 5-lobed, have indented nerves, are 3-10cm when flower opens, but expand to 25-30cm. It has hairy stems and golden rhizomes.

Golden-seal is distinguished from other Ranunculaceae during anthesis by having only 2 simple, cauline leaves and solitary white flowers, which are missing petals.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs late-April through early May, fruiting in July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-April though July.

Associated species include Acer species, Quercus species, Hepatica acutiloba, Caulophyllum thalictroides, and Claytonia virginica.

Golden-seal is found in rich, mesic hardwood forests with moderately acidic to alkaline soils high in organic matter.

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.

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

This species requires shaded habitat conditions, maintain high forest canopy cover.

Maintain thick duff layer if possible. Minimize spread of invasive species including earthworms.

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.