Great Indian-plantain (Arnoglossum reniforme)

Life history

Species overview

Great Indian-plantain (Arnoglossum reniforme), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry-mesic and mesic hardwood forests and adjacent mesic prairies, often with dolomite near the surface. Blooming occurs late June through late July; fruiting occurs late July through late August. The optimal identification period for this species is early June through late September.

Synonyms: Arnoglossum muhlenbergii, Cacalia muehlenbergii, C. reniformis, Mesadenia reniformis, Mesadenia muhlenbergii, Senecio atriplicifolius var. reniformis, Senecio muhlenbergii

Identification

Distinguishing characteristics: Grooved stem with 6 to 8 angles, lower leaves large, kidney-shaped, other leaves palmately veined, irregularly toothed, and green on both sides.
Flower characteristics: Many short, broad, flat-topped flower heads containing 5 narrowly cylindrical flowers.
Fruit characteristics: Cypselae (achene surrounded by calyx sheath) dark brown to purple, 4 to 5 mm, tapering toward one or both ends.
Leaf characteristics: Irregularly toothed, green on both sides, and palmately veined; lower leaves very large, up to 80 cm wide, kidney-shaped, and with long petioles; upper leavese fan-shaped or oval and smaller in size.

Phenology

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

Other

Growth form: Forb-erect
Vegetative reproduction:
Life cycle: Perennial
Comments: Associated Species: Acer saccharum, Ostyra virginiana, Tilia americana, Ulmus americana, Quercus rubra, Arisaema triphyllum, Juglans cinerea, Asarum canadense, Laportea canadensis, Adiantum pedatum, Solidago flexicaulis.

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 Great Indian-plantain (Arnoglossum reniforme). 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.

Documented locations of Arnoglossum reniforme in the Natural Heritage Inventory Database as of July 2015.

Summary Information
State Status	SC
Federal Status in Wisconsin	none
State Rank	S3
Global Rank	G4
Tracked by NHI	Y

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 in dry-mesic and mesic hardwood forests and adjacent mesic prairies, often with dolomite near the surface.
Soils: Rich, loamy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Great Indian-plantain. 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).

Natural communities	score
Floodplain Forest	3
Wet-mesic Prairie	2
Southern Mesic Forest	3
Mesic Prairie	2

Ecological landscapes

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

Map of the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin.

Ecological landscape	score
Central Sand Hills	1
Southeast Glacial Plains	1
Southern Lake Michigan Coastal	2
Western Coulee and Ridges	3
Western Prairie	2

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

Because this species occurs in a variety of habitats, precise management guidelines are unclear. Therefore, avoid dramatic changes to the habitat where a population is found.
Maintain partial canopy to encourage woodland species; avoid closed-canopy conditions.