Features: The Tuberous Indian-plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum), formerly Cacalia plantaginea, is a perennial plant in the Aster family. It grows as a flat rosette of leaves that hug the ground, but in spring sends up a tall flower stalk that produces a flat-topped cluster of white flowers in June. The seeds are wind-dispersed, aided by a "parachute" of hairs on top of each seed. The species grows in wet, sandy areas along river banks and wetlands near Lake Huron.

Status: Special Concern Provincially and Nationally

Range: The Tuberous Indian-plantain grows in central and eastern North America, from Michigan west to Nebraska, south to Texas and east to the Appalachians. In Ontario, it grows in about 15 sites near Lake Huron, especially the west side of the Bruce Peninsula. Range Maps

Threats: Based on specimen records in herbarium collections, the species has disappeared from areas in the Bruce Peninsula. The main threats to the species in Ontario are the mowing of wet meadows for hay, trampling by livestock along riverbanks, and wetland drainage for cottage development.

Protection: Most plants are growing on private land, but at least two populations are in nature reserves which afford them some protection.

Text Sources: Keddy 1988

Last Modified Date: February 2005