PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Pale False Foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana)

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Photo by Ryan O'Connor

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Pale False Foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in dry and calcareous prairies, woods, and barrens. Blooming occurs late-July through early-September, fruiting early-September through October. The optimal identification period for this species is late-July through early-September.

Gerardia skinneriana

 
 
 
Identification

Pale false foxglove is an erect forb, 20-50cm tall. Its corolla are very pale pink to white and dry to yellowish-white to white, bell-shaped, 1.0-1.5cm in diameter, and either without internal markings or markings that are barely visible. The surfaces of the 3 lower corolla lobes are hairless. Its fruits are rounded, 3-5mm, with yellow to tan seeds that are <=1.0mm. The pedicels of flowers and fruits shorter than or only 1-2 times longer than subtending bracts. The upper stem is ridged and the ridges contain bundles of fibers. Leaves are opposite, rough, and more or less appressed to the stem. Leaves are 0.5-2.0cm, but mostly <1.6cm long x 0.5-1.0mm wide and linear.

It is most likely to be confused with the also rare, roundstem foxglove, Agalinis gattingeri. Look at the stem, which is strongly angled in pale false foxglove and round in roundstem foxglove. Both these species have very narrow (up to 1mm) leaves and remain green when dried.

Phenology and Reproduction

Blooming occurs late-July through early-September, fruiting occurs early-September through late-October. This species can self-pollinate.

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

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Andropogon gerardii, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Euthamia graminifolia, and Solidago ptarmicoides. Pale false foxglove is hemiparasitic.

Habitat

Pale false foxglove is found in dry and calcareous prairies, woods, and barrens with sandy soils.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

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.

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.

Wildlife Action Plan

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.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377