Prairie plant species missing at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie

This post discusses a number of prairie plant species that "should" be at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie but are not. This discussion is based on a review of the various floras that have been done at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie over the past 65 years, and on observations that Kathie and I have made during the past 15 years.

See the table at the end of this post for a complete list of the prairie species known to be present.

This outstanding Wisconsin prairie remnant is one of the jewels of southern Wisconsin, whose study goes back to the work in the early 1950s by John Curtis and students. Kathie and I have been managing this prairie since 2001, and I have done historical research on the site (Brock, 2014). This prairie is characterized by its diverse prairie flora and absence from disturbance. For the past 30 years it has been extensively managed, involving major and continuous brush and invasive tree control, weed control, and prescribed burns.

Typical prairie grasses at Rettenmund are big bluestem, side oats grama, little bluestem, Indian grass, prairie dropseed, and needle grass. However, the present discussion is restricted to forbs, which are much more diverse.

Rettenmund Prairie is part of the original southern Wisconsin prairie along and near Black Earth Creek which was first delineated by the Federal land surveyors in presettlement 1832 (Section 27 of Town 8N Range 6E). All except the present 16 acres have now been converted to agriculture or urban settlement. (This 16 acres is considerably larger than the 4 acre size that Curtis and Greene (1949) decided was the minimum size a prairie could be and still be reasonably studied floristically.)

In their study of southern Wisconsin prairies, Curtis and Greene (1949) and Curtis (1959) classified prairie species, based on their natural distribution, into five categories: dry, dry-mesic, mesic, wet-mesic, and wet. Henderson (1998), using the Curtis data, followed these same categories. It should be noted that although most prairie species have an optimum habitat in one or two of the prairie types, most species are often found in the other prairie types, generally in reduced amounts. This is reflected in the Henderson data which give the percentage of prairie stands across the state in which a given species is found. Henderson’s data are derived from a computerized analysis of the Curtis data that was carried out by Umbanhowar (1992). (Computers were not available when Curtis did his analysis.) Fortunately, all of the Curtis original field data were still available to Umbanhowar.

Rettenmund Prairie is a typical dry to dry-mesic prairie with a small amount of mesic habitat. It is mostly a high knoll that sits between crop fields, but lower areas along the northern edge, and the north-facing unit itself, are more mesic in character. Only a small area in one corner has ever been cropped, and cropping ceased about 30 years ago. The former crop field was planted to prairie about 10 years ago and now has a diverse species flora, with emphasis on species the grow well in dry-mesic to mesic sites.

Although the prairie flora at Rettenmund is extensive and diverse, there are a number of species that are missing. The purpose of this post is to discuss these missing species.

It should be emphasized that no new species have ever been knowingly introduced here. Seeds have been collected here primarily for planting back at formerly brushy sites, or in other parts of Rettenmund where species enhancement was needed. Thus, as far as can be told, we have here the original native flora

The complete Rettenmund Prairie species list is given at the end of this post, with their prairie types. The following table lists species that are missing but, based on their classifications, “should” be  there. Each of these species is discussed separately below.

Species missing from Rettenmund Prairie	Curtis/Henderson classification
Aster novae-angliae	M-WM
Astragalus canadensis	M-WM
Baptisia alba	D-DM-M-WM
Baptisia bracteata	D-DM-M-WM
Ceanothus americanus	D-DM-M-WM
Desmodium canadense	DM-M-WM
Desmodium illinoense	D-DM-M-WM
Echincacea pallida	DM-M-WM
Heliopsis helianthoides	D-DM-M-WM
Lespedeza capitata	D-DM-M-WM
Liatris pycnostachya	DM-M-WM
Oxalis violacea	DM-M-WM
Parthenium integrifolium	DM-M-WM
Zizia aptera	DM-M-WM
Zizia aureus	DM-M-WM

 Although Aster novae-angliae is primarily a mesic to wet-mesic species, it is also found in dry habitats, often on disturbed ground, railroad ballast, roadsides and ditches, etc. It is the showiest of the asters and hence is widely used in prairie plantings. Because it is showy, it is unlikely that it would be missed in any floristic survey.

Astragalus Canadensis is common in southern Wisconsin and is found in borders, clearings, trails, roadsides, dry to mesic prairies, and other similar habitats.

Baptisia alba is a widespread prairie species which, although primarily a mesic species, is often found on drier prairies. Although found only in southern Wisconsin, it is widespread here. Also, it is widely planted in prairie restorations, where it does extremely well. There are habitats at Rettenmund where this species could thrive, but it seems not to be here.

Baptisia bracteata is also a widespread prairie species, found from dry to mesic prairies, dry lime sites, sandy and gravelly sites. A species of the prairies, it “should” be at Rettenmund, but isn’t.

Although Ceanothus americanus is often considered a savanna species, it also thrives in dry to mesic prairies, roadsides, hillsides and banks, and other similar habitats. This relative of buckthorn is actually a shrub, but where prescribed fire is frequent it never gets very large. Extensive populations of Ceanothus are present a few miles from Rettenmund at Pleasant Valley Conservancy, including some thriving native populations along County Highway F. For some reason, seeds have been unable to manage the three mile distance along Highway F.

Echinacea pallida is present as a native in a few southern Wisconsin counties but is widely distributed in other states south of here, including a wide sweep of states along the Mississippi River. Also, it is widely used in prairie plantings where it grows extremely well. Native populations are known within 20 miles of Rettenmund, yet it has not worked its way here.

Desmodium illinoiense and Desmodium canadense are prairie species that do well in dry-mesic to mesic habitats, and are widespread in Wisconsin. They both are found along roadsides and railroads. According to Cochrane and Iltis (2000) D. illinoense “…sometimes persist[s] along grassy, unshaded roadsides and railroads with mixtures of weeds and prairie or upland-thicket species.” D. canadense, being showy, is widely used in prairie restorations, where it thrives. Neither species has ever been reported from Rettenmund.

Heliopsis helianthoides (false or ox-eye sunflower) is common throughout southern and western Wisconsin, on wet to dry-mesic prairies. Because it flowers early, it is also widely used in prairie plantings, where it thrives.

Although Lespedeza capitata has never been reported at Rettenmund, it is widespread in Wisconsin and the Midwest. According to Cochrane and Iltis (2000) it is “Wisconsin’s most abundant native legume, common in dry to mesic prairies…”. According to Cochrane/Iltis, it is an active invader of roadsides, railroads, old field, and shores. It is easy to grow, is considered a bird attractant, and is often used in prairie seed mixes. Why isn’t it at Rettenmund? It has certainly become dispersed all over southern Wisconsin.

Although two other species of Liatris are common at Rettenmund, Liatris pycnostachya is not present. This species is somewhat more mesic than the other two, and may require deeper soil for establishment.

According to Cochrane and Iltis (2000), Parthenium integrifolium was once common in Wisconsin, primarily at mesic sites. Because most mesic sites have been converted to agriculture, this species is now found only on prairie remnants or on planted prairies. Since it thrives on planted prairies (including those at Pleasant Valley Conservancy) why hasn’t it become established at Rettenmund?

Oxalis violacea is widespread in the Midwest and although primarily a mesic species, it is found frequently in southern Wisconsin and is especially present on prairies, including goat prairies, prairie glades, and other open habitats. It flowers early so that it is unlikely to be missed in any floristic study.

Zizia aureus is another widespread prairie/savanna species, which although most frequently found in mesic habitats is also present in dry-mesic prairies. A single small patch of Zizia aureus was actually found at Rettenmund a few years ago, but did not return the following year. There are large amounts of Z. aureus along County F three miles from Rettenmund.

The related species Z. aptera is also primarily a mesic species but does occur in dry-mesic sites. Although not now present at Rettenmund, it was reported by Read in 1972 and by Henderson in 1988.

It should be emphasized that, based on the presence of existing species, suitable habitats exist at Rettenmund for all these missing species. Extensive mesic habitat is present on the north-facing hill of the north unit, where Phlox, Anemone canadense, Helianthus grosseserratus, and Heuchera richardsonii are currently thriving. Also, extensive areas of another mesic species, Thalictrum dasycarpum are present in the south unit.

Why are these species missing? There have certainly been enough years for them to become dispersed. All of them flourish at nearby sites, even in many cases spreading “on their own”. Were they once here in the large presettlement prairie and when this prairie was fragmented, they were cut off and disappeared?

Is the Rettenmund habitat unfavorable despite its suitability for other species, including many typical prairie species.

Is the site too small?

Are these species now dispersing to Rettenmund but are unable to compete with the already established flora?



Complete species list for Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie

Latin name	Common name	Prairie type
Agalinis aspera	Rough false foxglove	D-DM-M
Agalinis gattingeri	Round-stemmed false foxglove	WM
Amorpha canescens****	Lead-plant	D-DM-M-WM
Andropogon gerardii****	Big bluestem	D-DM-M-WM
Anemone canadensis	Canada anemone	WM
Anemone cylindrica	Thimbleweed	D-DM-M
Anemone patens	Pasque flower	D-DM
Antennaria neglecta	Field pussytoes	D-DM-M
Antennaria plantaginifolia	Plantain pusstoes	D-DM-M
Apocynum androsaemifolium	Spreading dogbane	M
Apocynum cannabinum	Indian hemp	M
Arabis lyrata	Lyrate rock cress	D
Arenaria stricta	Sandwort	D
Asclepias syriaca	Common milkweed	DM-M-WM
Asclepias tuberosa	Butterfly milkweed	DM
Asclepias verticillata	Whorled milkweed	D-DM
Asclepias viridiflora	Short green milkweed	D
Aster ericoides	Heath aster	D-DM-M-WM
Aster laevis	Smooth blue aster	D-DM-M-WM
Aster oolentangiensis	Sky-blue aster	D
Aster pilosus	Frost aster	DM
Aster sericeus****	Silky aster	D-DM
Bouteloua curtipendula****	Side oats grama	D-DM
Bromus kalmii	Kalm's brome	D-DM-M-WM
Cirsium discolor	Pasture thistle	D-DM-M-WM
Cirsium hillii	Hill's thistle	DM-M
Comandra umbellata	False toadflax	D-DM-M
Coreopsis palmata	Prairie tickseed	D-DM-M
Dalea candida	White prairie clover	DM
Dalea purpurea****	Purple prairie clover	D-DM-M
Dodecatheon meadia	Shooting star	D-DM-M-WM
Erigeron strigosus	Daisy fleabane	D-DM-M-WM
Eryngium yuccifolium	Rattlesnake master	DM-M
Euphorbia corollata****	Flowering spurge	D-DM-M-WM
Euthamia graminifolia	Grass-leaved goldenrod	M
Fragaria virginiana	Wild strawberry	DM-M
Galium boreale	Northern bedstraw	DM-M
Gentiana puberulenta	Prairie gentian	D-DM-M
Gentianella quinquefolia	Stiff gentian	DM-M
Geum triflorum	Prairie smoke	D-DM-M
Helianthus grosseseratus	Saw-tooth sunflower	DM-M
Helianthus occidentalis	Western sunflower	D-DM-M-WM
Helianthus pauciflorus	Showy sunflower	D-DM-M
Heuchera richardsonii	Prairie alum-root	D-DM-M
Hypoxis hirsuta	Yellow star-grass	DM-M
Koeleria macrantha	June grass	D-DM-M
Kuhnia eupatorioides	False boneset	D-DM
Lactuca canadensis	Wild lettuce	D-DM-M
Lechea stricta	Prairie pinweed	D-DM
Liatris aspera	Rough blazing star	D-DM-M-WM
Liatris cylindracea	Dwarf blazing star	D-DM
Lilium philadelphicum	Wood lily	D-DM-M
Linum  sulcatum	Yellow flax	D-DM
Lithospermum canescens	Hoary puccoon	D-DM
Lobelia spicata	Pale spiked lobelia	D-DM-M
Lythrum alatum	Winged loosestrife	M-WM
Maianthemum racemosum	False Solomon's seal	DM-M
Monarda fistulosa	Wild bergamot	D-DM-M-WM
Oenothera biennis	Evening-primrose	D-DM-M-WM
Panicum leibergii	Prairie panic grass	D-DM-M-WM
Panicum oligosanthes	Few flowered panic grass	D-DM-M-WM
Panicum perlongum	Long-leaved panic grass	D-DM-M-WM
Pedicularis canadensis	Wood betony	D-DM-M
Pediomelum esculentum	Prairie turnip	D-DM
Phlox pilosa	Prairie phlox	DM-M-WM
Physalis heterophylla	Clammy ground cherry	D-DM
Physalis virginiana	Virginia ground cherry	D-DM-M
Polygala sanguinea	Field milkwort	DM-M-WM
Polygala senega	Seneca snakeroot	DM-M-WM
Polygonatum biflorum	Solomon's seal	D-DM-M-WM
Potentilla argute	Prairie cinquefoil	D-DM-M-WM
Prenanthes racemosa	White lettuce	DM-M
Pycnanthemum virginianum	Common mountain mint	DM-M-WM
Ratibida pinnata	Yellow coneflower	D-DM-M-WM
Rosa spp.****	Rose	D-DM-M-WM
Rudbeckia hirta	Black-eyed Susan	D-DM-M-WM
Schizacharium scoparium****	Little bluestem	D-DM-M-WM
Silphium integrifolium	Rosinweed	D-DM-M-WM
Silphium laciniatum	Compass plant	D-DM-M-WM
Sisyrinchium campestre	Blue-eyed grass	D-DM-M-WM
Solidago canadensis	Canada goldenrod	DM-M
Solidago gigantea	Late goldenrod	DM-M
Solidago juncea	Early goldenrod	D-DM-M
Solidago missouriensis	Missouri goldenrod	D-DM-M-WM
Solidago nemoralis	Old-field goldenrod	D-DM-M-WM
Solidago ptarmicoides	White goldenrod	D-DM-M
Solidago rigida****	Stiff goldenrod	D-DM-M-WM
Solidago speciosa	Showy goldenrod	D-DM-M-WM
Sorghastrum nutans	Indian grass	D-DM-M-WM
Spiraea alba	Meadowsweet	M
Spiranthes cernua	Nodding lady's tresses	M-WM
Sporobolus heterolepis****	Prairie dropseed	D-DM-M-WM
Stipa spartea	Needle grass	D-DM-M-WM
Thalictrum dasycarpum	Purple meadow-rue	M-WM
Tradescantia ohiensis	Common spiderwort	D-DM-M-WM
Verbena stricta	Hoary vervain	D-DM
Veronicastrum virginianum	Culver's root	D-DM-M-WM
Viola pedata	Bird's foot violet	D-DM-M-WM
Viola pedatifida	Prairie violet	D-DM-M-WM
Zigadenus elegans	White camas	D-DM-M-WM
The marked species are the 10 most widespread species for dry lime prairies (Curtis and Greene, 1949) D: dry; DM: dry-mesic; M: mesic; WM: wet mesic

Brock, Thomas D. 2014. Legacy effects in prairie restoration: a 73-year spatial history. Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conference 23: 15-20.

Umbanhowar, C.E. Jr. (1992). Reanalysis of the Wisconsin prairie continuum. American Midland Naturalist 127: 268-275.

Curtis, J.T. and Greene, H.C. 1949. A study of relic Wisconsin prairies by the species-presence method. Ecology 30: 83-92.

Curtis, J.T. 1959. The Vegetation of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.

Henderson, Richard. A. `998. Plant species composition of Wisconsin prairies. Technical Bulletin No. 188, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madiosn, Wisconsin.

Cochrane, T.S. and Iltis, H.H. 2000. Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora Technical Bulletin No. 191, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison.