PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Prairie Fame-flower (Phemeranthus rugospermus)

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Photo by L. Olsen

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Prairie Fame-flower (Phemeranthus rugospermus), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in open, sandy prairies, barrens and in moss on exposed bedrock outcrops, often where there is little competition from other forbs. Blooming occurs late-June through early-August, fruiting early-July through early-September. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Talinum rugospermum

 
 
 

Prairie fame-flower is an erect forb, 10-20cm tall, with an inflorescence of 1-2 dm with pinkish to deep rosy red flowers that open only in the late afternoon only. Its petals are 6-8mm, it has 10-25 stamens, the style is divided 1/4-1/3 its length into 3 linear stigmas. Fruits are 4-5mm, seeds are minutely roughened and strongly wrinkled, gray over black. Leaves are numerous, 3-8cm, crowded, on a short stem, succulent, and cylindrical.

Its entirely basal and succulent leaves distinguish this species from other species with pink, 5-parted flowers.

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

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

Associated species include Pinus banksiana, Quercus ellipsoidalis, Selaginella rupestris, Arabis lyrata, and Linaria canadensis.

Prairie fame-flower prefers thin, sandy soils over sandstone and is found in open, sandy prairies, barrens and in moss on exposed bedrock outcrops, often where there is little competition from other forbs.

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 low canopy cover areas for savanna and barrens plant 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.