Life history

Species overview

Buttonweed (Diodia teres var. teres), a State Special Concern plant, is found on sandy terraces along the Wisconsin River. Blooming occurs early July through early September; fruiting occurs early August through late October. The optimal identification period for this species is late June through late October.

Synonyms: Diodia teres, Diodia teres var. setifera

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Fruit much surpassed by the long (6 to 10 mm) stipules.
• Flower characteristics: Sessile in many of the upper axils; sepals 4, lanceolate; corolla funnel-form, white to pink or pale purple.
• Fruit characteristics: Obovoid, finely pubescent or short-hirsute, crowned by the persistent sepals.
• Leaf characteristics: Stiff, sessile, linear to narrowly lanceolate, scabrous, aristate at apex, rounded or narrowed at base.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early July through early September
• Fruiting phenology: early August through late October
• Optimum time to identify: late June through late October

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Annual
• Comments: Associated Species: Aristida tuberculosa, Polygonella articulata, Hypericum gentianoides, Strophostyles helveola, Cassia fasciculata, Sporobolus heterolepis, Polygonum tenue.

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 Buttonweed (Diodia teres var. teres). 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 sandy terraces along the Wisconsin River.
• Soils: Dry or sandy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Buttonweed. 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 Buttonweed. 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

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

Other resources

Links to additional Buttonweed 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