PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

False Asphodel (Triantha glutinosa)

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Photo by Thomas Meyer

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

False Asphodel (Triantha glutinosa), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found on marly shorelines, cold calcareous seeps, and fens. Blooming occurs late-June through early-August, fruiting early-July through late-October. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Narthecium glutinosum, Tofieldia glutinosa, Tofieldia glutinosa ssp. glutinosa, Tofieldia racemosa var. glutinosa

 
 
 

False asphodel is an erect forb with a 2-5cm raceme, with 2-3 white flowers at each node on sticky-hairy pedicels 3-6mm. The fruit is ovoid, thin-walled, and twice as long as the perianth. Seeds are fusiform, 1-1.3mm. It has several basal leaves, 8-20cm long, and up to 8mm wide. A single cauline leaf is usually near the middle of the stem or absent.

Blooming occurs late-June through early-August, fruiting early-July through late-October.

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

Associated species include Cladium mariscoides, Hypericum kalmianum, Iris virginica, Parnassia glauca, Solidago ohioensis, Euthamia graminifolia, Thelypteris palustris, and Eleocharis elliptica.

False asphodel is found on marly shorelines, cold calcareous seeps, and fens.

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.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Avoid rapid and dramatic reductions in canopy cover and, basal area, in wet areas to reduce risk of swamping.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

This species is likely sensitive to water quality. Following BMPs around streams and buffering associated drainages will reduce eutrophication and prevent water quality degradation.

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.