PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Woolly Milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa)

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Photo by Armund Bartz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Woolly Milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in dry, sandy, or gravelly hillside prairies. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting late-June through late-July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through late-June.

Asclepias otarioides

 
 
 

Woolly milkweed is a weakly erect forb, 10-30cm tall, with one terminal, erect, and convex or flat-topped flower head containing small greenish-yellow or purplish flowers. Horns are either very rudimentary or non-existent, petal lobes are 4-8mm in length. It produces seed pods that contain numerous fluffy seeds. Leaves are linear-oblong or lance-like, 4-7cm long with a rounded tip, and both sides are sparsely covered with long hairs.

Its almost prostrate habit and small size distinguish this species from any other milkweed in Wisconsin.

Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting late-June through late-July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through June.

Associated species include Quercus velutina, Amorpha canescens, Andropogon scoparius, Aster laevis, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Lithospermum caroliniense.

Woolly milkweed is found in dry, sandy or gravelly hillside prairies and oak barrens.

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.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

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.