Life history

Species overview

Silver Bladderpod (Lesquerella ludoviciana), a State Threatened plant, is found on a dry dolomitic prairie bluff edge along the Mississippi River. Blooming occurs early May through early June; fruiting occurs late June through early September. The optimal identification period for this species is late June through early September.

Synonyms: None

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Fruit 3 to 6 mm, on recurved pedicels.
• Flower characteristics: Racemes elongating to as much as 1.5 dm; petals yellow, 6 to 10 mm; style 3 to 5 mm.
• Fruit characteristics: Obovoid or almost round, 3 to 6 mm, on recurved pedicels.
• Leaf characteristics: Basal leaves narrow, to 10 cm long by 1 cm wide, entire or shallowly toothed; cauline leaves progressively smaller and not very numerous.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through early June
• Fruiting phenology: late June through early September
• Optimum time to identify: late June through early September

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Campanula rotundifolia, Pellaea glabella, Helianthus petiolaris, Poinsettia heterophylla, Parietaria pensylvanica, Artemisia campestris, Muhlenbergia cuspidata.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Silver Bladderpod (Lesquerella ludoviciana). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found on a dry dolomitic prairie bluff edge along the Mississippi River.
• Soils: Dry, calcareous soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Silver Bladderpod. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Silver Bladderpod. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• 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; use care with spot spraying.
• Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.
• Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial (dependent on local site conditions).

Other resources

Links to additional Silver Bladderpod information

• Grassland and Savanna Protocols
• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use