Pale False Foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana)

Life history

Species overview

Pale False Foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in dry and calcareous prairies, woods, and barrens. Blooming occurs late July through early September; fruiting occurs early September through late October. The optimal identification period for this species is late July through early September.

Synonyms: Gerardia skinneriana

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Pale false foxglove is most likely to be confused with the also rare roundstem foxglove (A. gattingeri). Look at the stem, which is stongly angled in pale false foxglove and round in roundstem foxglove. Both these species have very narrow (up to 1mm) leaves and remain green when dried.
• Flower characteristics: Corolla very pale pink to white, drying yellowish-white to white, bell-shaped, 1.0 to 1.5 cm in diameter, without internal markings or these markings barely visible; surfaces of 3 lower lobes of the corolla hairless.
• Fruit characteristics: Fruit rounded, 3 to 5 mm; seeds yellow to tan and less than or equal to 1.0 mm.
• Leaf characteristics: Opposite, rough, more or less appressed to the stem, 0.5 to 2.0 cm, but mostly less than 1.6 cm long x 0.5 to 1.0 mm wide and linear.

Phenology

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

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Annual
• Comments: Associated Species: Andropogon gerardii, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Euthamia graminifolia, Solidago ptarmicoides. Hemiparasitic. Can self-pollinate.

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 Pale False Foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana). 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 in dry and calcareous prairies, woods, and barrens.
• Soils: Sandy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Pale False Foxglove. 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 Pale False Foxglove. 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 locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.
• 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

• Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light; see forestry BMPs for invasive 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 Pale False Foxglove information

• Grassland and Savanna Protocols
• Michigan Natural Features Inventory [PDF exit DNR]

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