Wisconsin's rare plants

White Colic-root is a herbaceous perennial found primarily in moist peaty, sandy or gravelly areas of the coastal areas and lakes. The common name refers to the root once being used to treat colic.

There aren't many species with which Aletris farinosa can be confused. Triantha glutinosa, another rare plant that could be found in similar calcareous wet-mesic prairies, has a basal rosette of long narrow leaves and a raceme of white flowers like Aletris, but its stems are sticky and its tepals are separate whereas Aletris has glabrous stems and flowers with united tepals.

Blooming occurs in June and July, fruits begin development in July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is July through August.

Associated species include Comptonia peregrina, Rubus hispidus, Spiraea alba, S tomentosa, Vaccinium oxycoccus, Thelypteris palustris, Andropogon gerardii, Carex conoidea, C debilis, C pellita, C scoparia, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus balticus, J canadensis, J greenei, J marginalis, Muhlenbergia uniflora, Rhynchospora capillacea, R capitellata, Scirpus cyperinus, Scleria triglomerata, Sporobolus heterolepis, Polygala sanguinea, Bartonia virginica, Calopogon tuberosus, Castilleja coccinea, Cirsium muticum, Dalea purpurea, Drosera rotundifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Euthamia graminifolia, Gentiana puberula, Krigia biflora, Liatris pycnostachya, Lobelia kalmii, L spicata, Pedicularis canadensis, Platanthera lacera, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Potentilla anserina, Primula meadia, Rhexia virginica, Rudbeckia hirta, Spiranthes incurva, Symphyotrichum oolentangiense, Viola lanceolata, Xyris torta, Sphagnum spp, Polytrichum spp.

White colic-root is found in moist sandy meadows and wet-mesic prairies.

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.