Marsh Ragwort (Tephroseris palustris)

Life history

Species overview

Marsh Ragwort (Tephroseris palustris), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on beaches of lakes having fluctuating levels, based on recent records. It could also, perhaps, occur in cold marshes and fen-like sedge meadows. Blooming occurs late May through late July; fruiting occurs late June through late August. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through late July.

Synonyms: Senecio congestus ssp. tonsus, Senecio congestus var. palustris, Senecio congestus var. tonsus, Senecio palustris

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Can be distinguished from Erechtites hieracifolius by its clasping upper leaves and light yellow ray flowers.
• Flower characteristics: Heads numerous in an often congested inflorescence, the disk 7 to 14 mm wide or larger in fruit; rays pale yellow, 4 to 9 mm; bracts very thin and generally pale, commonly with darker base.
• Fruit characteristics: Pappus accrescent, very fine and copious; achenes smooth.
• Leaf characteristics: Entire or coarsely toothed, scarcely pinnatifid, equally distributed, 3 to 20 cm long by 0.5 to 4.5 cm wide; lower leaves petiolate and often soon deciduous; upper leaves becoming sessile and may or may not be clasping.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: late May through late July
• Fruiting phenology: late June through late August
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late May through late July

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Annual/biennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Not recorded for Wisconsin specimens.

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 Marsh Ragwort (Tephroseris palustris). 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 beaches of lakes having fluctuating levels, based on recent records. It could also, perhaps, occur in cold marshes and fen-like sedge meadows.
• Soils: Wet soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Marsh Ragwort. 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 Marsh Ragwort. 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 broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
• 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.

Management guidance

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

• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
• Avoid disturbance to shorelines and the forest-beach interface.

Other resources

Links to additional Marsh Ragwort information

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

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• 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 Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use