PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Flowering occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting late-June though late-August.

Perennial. Remontant flowering possible. One report of flower stalks produced in September, though flowers never opened. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through August.

Flowering stalks susceptible to depredation by insect larva, which cause wilting of stalk prior to seed set. Can be extensive in some populations. Associated species include Quercus alba, Q macrocarpa, Q velutina, Juniperus virginiana, Betula papyrifera, Amorpha canescens, and Andropogon scoparius.

Kitten tails are found in a variety of dry, open habitats, such as small woodland openings, near bluff edges, sand prairie dry-mesic prairie over sandstone or sand/gravel glacial deposits, and limestone cliffs.

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 and use care with spot spraying.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.