PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Earleaf Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata)

State Status: SC

Federal Status: none

State Rank: S1

Global Rank: G3

Photo by Larry Leitner

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Earleaf Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in prairies or open upland woods. Blooming occurs from late-August through early-September, fruiting early-September through mid-October. The optimal identification period for this species is late-August through early-September.

Synonyms:

Aureolaria auriculata, Gerardia auriculata, Otophylla auriculata, Tomanthera auriculata

Identification

Earleaf foxglove is an erect forb. It has the widest leaves of any of the foxgloves (Agalinis spp) in Wisconsin. Look also for downward-pointing hairs on the stems as well hair on the sepals. Some of the leaves may be lobed at base. Flowers are purple and 2-2.5cm. Sessile in the upper axils, forming a leafy spike. Fruit is Round-ovoid, 1-1.5cm. Leaves are opposite, sessile, lanceolate, 2-5cm, rounded at the base, entire or some, especially the upper, bearing near the base 1 or 2 small, divergent, lanceolate lateral lobes.

Phenology and Reproduction

Phenology

Blooming occurs from late August through early September.

Life Cycle, Optimum Time to Identify

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

Habitat

Earleaf foxglove is found in prairies or open upland woods.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoidance Measures

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.

Management Guidance

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.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Wildlife Action Plan

Associated Natural Communities and Ecological Landscapes

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

Issues/Threats and Conservation Actions

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.

PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Earleaf Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata)

Rare Species & Natural Communities

Additional Resources

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