Wisconsin's rare plants

Spike trisetum has a dense, usually spike-like panicle that's often interrupted at base, pale or often dark purple, 5-15cm long. Spikelets are 4-6mm long. Glumes are somewhat unequal in length, glabrous or scabrous except the keels, or sometimes pilose, the first narrow, acuminate, 1-nerved, the second broader, acute, 3-nerved. Lemmas are scaberulous, 5mm long, the first longer than the glumes, the teeth setaceous. Awn is attached about one-third below the tip, 5-6mm long, geniculate, and exserted. Sheaths and usually the blades puberulent.

Exceedingly variable. Two more outstanding varieties, both integrating with the species are T spicatum var molle with densely pubescent foliage, and T spicatum var congdoni, a nearly glabrous alpine form with slightly larger spikelets.

Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July.

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

Associated species include Pinguicula vulgaris, Alnus viridis, Abies balsamea, Primula mistassinica, Thuja occidentalis, Agrostis hyemalis, and Lycopodium.

Spike trisetum is found in moist, shaded mossy sandstone ledges on Lake Superior.

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 direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

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.