Geum triflorum
Prairie-smoke
Photo by Gary Reese
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Key Characteristics

Perennial forb of oak barrens and alvar; leaves pinnately compound and hairy; flowers purple to dark red, borne on tall, mostly leafless shoots; fruit with long silky, rosy plumes.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S2S3 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from imperiled to vulnerable
  • Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Allegan11932
Chippewa11983
Ionia11890
Kent21897
Lake12007
Mecosta22001
Montcalm42004
Muskegon31995
Newaygo172006
Oceana41995
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

Found on lower slopes of dry sand prairie and barrens as well as limestone pavement on Drummond Island with seasonally wet soils.

Natural Community Types

Associated Plants

Lance-leaved coreopsis, prairie alum-root, prickly pear, downy phlox, hairy beard-tongue, big bluestem, little bluestem, Pennsylvania, tower mustard, whorled milkweed, Ohio horse mint, old field balsam, hairy hawkweed, dwarf dandelion, rough blazing star, cylindrical blazing star, blue toadflax, wild lupine, horsemint, racemed milkwort, panic grass, venus looking glass. In alvar, associates may include: stiff sandwort, pussy- toes, Indian paintbrush, flat-stemmed spikerush, ragwort, ground juniper, bee-balm, harebell, wild columbine, shrubby cinquefoil, prairie dropseed, cat's foot, Canadian milk vetch, field chickweed, bastard toad flax, hair grass, and old field goldenrod.

Management

The habitat of this species has been severely degraded and diminished. Conservation and restoration of native prairie remnants is necessary. This species likely requires natural disturbances associated with prairie habitat such as prescribed fire and brush removal. Since this species flowers and fruits in spring, prescribed burns should be limited to mid summer and fall. Local disturbance may favor establishment but persistent or severe disturbances threaten the survival of the species. In alvar habitat, maintenance of hydrology is likely important.

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

More Information

See MNFI Species Abstract

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]