Life history

Species overview

Scarlet Loosestrife (Ammannia robusta), a State Special Concern plant, is found near edges of ponds, in grassy swales, and similar wet places. Blooming occurs July through September; fruiting occurs mid-August through mid-October. The optimal identification period for this species is mid-August through early October.

Synonyms: None

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Can be distinguished from Rotala sp., by its larger and showier fruits as well as its arrangement of flowers, which are clustered in the axils in Ammannia but solitary in Rotala.
• Flower characteristics: Small, pale lavender, 1 to 3, born in leaf axils.
• Fruit characteristics: Capsule occassionaly dehiscent, globose.
• Leaf characteristics: Opposite, thick and fleshy, linear or narrowly oblong, clasping to perfoliate, up to 10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: July through September
• Fruiting phenology: mid-August through mid-October
• Optimum time to identify: mid-August through early October

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Annual
• Comments: Associated Species: Echinochloa crus-galli, Scirpus sp., Juncus sp., Cyperus esculentus, Eleocharis spp, Bidens spp.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

Scarlet Loosestrife (Ammannia robusta) is on the "watch list." Watch list species have experienced, or are believed to have experienced, a statewide or range wide decline, but they are not currently tracked in the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) database. The watch list includes newly discovered species for which origin and rarity need to be determined, certain animals designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, and species that were tracked in the past but proved more abundant, widespread or less vulnerable than previously thought. Although watch list species are not actively tracked by NHI, occurrences documented during surveys are often stored by NHI, as these species could be tracked in the future if there is further evidence of their decline.

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 near edges of ponds, in grassy swales, and similar wet places.
• Soils: Wet soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Scarlet Loosestrife. 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 Scarlet Loosestrife. 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.

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).
• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Other resources

Links to additional Scarlet Loosestrife information

• 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