PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus)

Penstemon_hirsutus-Suzan.jpg

 

 

 

 

8876.jpg

Photo by Suzan Campbell

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on dry gravelly and sandy prairies, or in hillside oak woodlands. It is also naturalized on roadsides. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting late-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through June.

 
 
 

Hairy beardtongue is a widespread erect forb with violet corolla violet. Calyx 4-7mm at anthesis, at maturity more than 1/2 as long as the fruit, corolla are 2-3 cm, the tube very slender, pale violet outside, pale and hairy inside, but lacking purple lines, lobes white, mouth may or may not be closed by the arched base of the lower lip. Fruit divides through the septa and between the locules. Cauline leaves are opposite, lanceolate to oblong, 5-12cm long, toothed or almost entire, rounded or truncate at the base.

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

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through late-June.

Hairy beardtongue is found on dry gravelly and sandy prairies, or in hillside oak woodlands. It is also naturalized on roadsides.

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 locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

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.

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.