Tuberous Indian-plantain

(Arnoglossum plantagineum)

Status: Special Concern (ESA 2008, COSEWIC 2002)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Habitat and Biology
Threats/Reasons for Being at Risk
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
How You Can Help

Species Identification:

The Tuberous Indian-plantain is a perennial plant that is a member of the Aster family. The leaves grow close to the ground in a rosette shape, and in the spring a long flower stalk will shoot up to heights of 1.8 metres! The flower stalk will produce a flat cluster of 30 - 100 small white flowers that bloom from June to August.

Habitat and Biology:

This species can be found in both the United States and southern Ontario. The Tuberous Indian-plantain is found from Ohio and Michigan, south to Texas and Alabama. In Ontario, this species can be found along the shores of Lake Huron near Port Elgin and Owen Sound, and there are isolated populations near Goderich and Clinton, and Guelph. The Tuberous Indian-plantain is now considered Extirpated from The Land Between.

The Tuberous Indian-plantain grows in sunny areas that are also wet, such as meadows or shoreline fens. The only known biological aspect of this species is that it reproduces by seed. There is very little known about its habitat requirements or biology.

Map taken from Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/tuberous-indian-plantain/chapter-4.html

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Mowing: Mowing is often used as a way to make an area more aesthetically pleasing, but it can also be for safety reasons if plants get too tall to see over. The long stalks of the Tuberous Indian-plantain are at risk of being cut down by mowers since they can reach heights of almost 2 metres. While they are thin and relatively easy to see over, if mixed with other tall plants they can be at risk for mowing maintenance.

2. Drainage: Wet meadows and fens are increasingly at risk of being drained for development, especially near other bodies of water. Increasing demands of urbanization and cottages as second homes for people to escape busy cities is impacting our natural habitats, especially in central and northern Ontario.

3. Trampling: Recreational activities like walking, hiking, and ATVing impact the Tuberous Indian-plantain when people and their pets go off marked trailed and trample plants. Their thin single stalks are delicate and can be easily bent or crushed under a boot or a tire, which puts stress on the plant and its ability to reproduce.

Conservation and recovery strategies:

Since this species is only considered to be ranked as Special Concern, no actions are being taken to protect the Tuberous Indian-plantain in Ontario. However, this species may be indirectly protected if other Species at Risk grow in the same habitats, or if wetlands are considered to be Provincially Significant. There are also many organizations around Ontario that are working to protect all wetlands and important habitats that may also help this species thrive.

How can you help?

Report sightings of the Tuberous Indian-plantain to The Land Between’s website or iNaturalist with photos and coordinates.
Stay on marked trails and out of wetlands to avoid trampling the Tuberous Indian-plantain and other important plant species.
Keep any wetlands on your property natural and avoid the use of chemicals nearby.
Volunteer with local organizations, nature clubs, and Provincial parks that participate in surveying and helping Species at Risk.

Additional Resources:

Government of Ontario’s Tuberous Indian-plantain SAR page
Learn to identify Tuberous Indian-plantain and other cool plant species on iNaturalist
Minnesota Wildflowers: Tuberous Indian-plantain guide