PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Slender rhizomes connect corms. Blooming occurs May through June, fruiting June through September.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is autumn to early-spring.

Associated species include Acer saccharum, A rubrum, Quercus alba, Q rubra, Carya ovata, Populus tremuloides, P grandidentata, Carpinus caroliniana, Hepatica acutiloba, H americana, Sanguinaria canadensis, Lycopodium species, Brachyelytrum erectum, Adiantum pedatum, Smilax hispida, Orchis spectabilis, Carya cordiformis, Podophyllum peltatum, Tilia americana, Fagus grandidentata, Trillium species, Ulmus rubra, and Hydrophyllum species.

Putty root is found in rich woods with wet soils, on N- and E-facing slopes, and in low, flat areas.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

This species overwinters above ground, meaning that seasonal restrictions like conducting the a project on frozen ground will not result in avoidance. Therefore, known individual plant locations should be avoided year-round. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

The presence of this species' distinctive basal leaves during the fall and winter make surveillance and avoidance easy. These overwintering basal leaves photosynthesize in cool temperatures during late winter and early spring, coinciding with the snow melt. Therefore, timber management should be conducted in winter when temperatures are below 40 degrees.

Maintain thick duff layer if possible. Minimize spread of invasive species including earthworms.

Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques that open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species. Seedlings and saplings of some species in openings may need to be protected from deer browse.

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.