Silphium integrifolium
Rosinweed
Photo by Ryan P. O'Connor
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Key Characteristics

Stout forb (1.5 m) of moist to dry-mesic prairies; leaves opposite, sessile, and ovate, with a very rough upper surface; inflorescence compact with several large sunflower-like heads (4-8 cm across).

Status and Rank

  • State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
  • Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Berrien122007
Cass142006
Kalamazoo132006
Macomb12005
St. Joseph21986
Van Buren11915
Washtenaw11984
Occurrence Map for [Sname]

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Rosinweed occurs in prairie remnants along roads and railroad tracks or in cemeteries, in wet-mesic prairies and fens on peaty mucks and loams, and on dry-mesic to mesic loams and sandy loams.

Natural Community Types

Associated Plants

Big bluestem, little bluestem, cordgrass, prairie coreopsis, wild geranium, pale-leaved sunflower, false boneset, smooth sumac, rosin weed, yellow-pimpernel, hoary vervain, prairie violet, golden alexanders, spiderwort, western sunflower, stiff goldenrod, blazing-star, tall coreopsis, sedges, marsh fern, Culver’s root, spotted joe-pye weed, prairie dock, and meadow-rue. It can also persist on severely degraded prairie sites, growing with such weeds as yarrow, pasture thistle, and daisy fleabane.

Management

To maintain this species, protect the habitat and hydrological and natural disturbance regimes. This species likely requires natural disturbances associated with prairie habitat such as fire or brush removal to prevent woody plant succession. Significant increases in vegetative and reproductive vigor have been observed following early spring and fall burns. Much of this habitat type has been lost or severely degraded. Many prairie remnants are vulnerable to common right-of-way maintenance activities such as mowing, herbiciding, and bulldozing.

General Survey Guidelines

Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgment of the investigator.

Survey Methods

References

Survey References

Technical References

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer [Accessed Jan 16, 2009]