Life history

Species overview

Kitten Tails (Besseya bullii), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found commonly in small woodland openings, or near bluff edges. Blooming occurs late May through late June; fruiting occurs late June through late August. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through late August.

Synonyms: Gymnandra bullii, Synthyris bullii, Wulfenia bullii

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Basal leaves long-petioled, egg-shaped, palmately veined, with toothed margins; flowers small, yellow, borne in a tall, erect spike.
• Flower characteristics: Flowers small, yellow and borne at the top of a 5 to 15 cm long spike.
• Fruit characteristics: 4 to 7 mm long and covered with very small, course, stiff hairs.
• Leaf characteristics: Basal leaves toothed, palmately veined, egg-shaped, 6 to 12 cm long with long petioles; leaves further up the stem alternate, egg-shaped or oblong, 1 to 2 cm long with no petioles.

Phenology

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

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Quercus alba, Q. macrocarpa, Q. velutina, Juniperus virginiana, Betula papyrifera, Amorpha canescens, Andropogon scoparius.

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 Kitten Tails (Besseya bullii). 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 commonly in small woodland openings, or near bluff edges.
• Soils: Sandy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Kitten Tails. 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 Kitten Tails. 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

• 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 Kitten Tails information

• Grassland and Savanna Protocols

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