Rare Species Guide

  Synonyms

Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata

  Basis for Listing

Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor is a rare species of hardwood forests in southeastern Minnesota. It reaches the state at the northern terminus of its range and is apparently limited to habitats in the Mississippi River valley and a few major tributaries. When it was listed as a special concern species in Minnesota in 1984, there were so few recent records it was thought that a serious population decline had occurred. However, a thorough survey of its habitat had not been completed. Since that time, a biological survey of the southeast has been completed and only 7 populations were found. None of the sites recorded in the 1880s and 1890s have been relocated. The apparent decline is probably associated with the destruction of this species' fragile woodland habitat. Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor was subsequently reclassified as a threatened species in 1996.

  Description

This tall, woodland perennial has stout, erect stems up to 7 dm (27.5 in.) tall, with spreading glandular hairs. The thin, long-petioled leaves are cordate at the base and usually have 12 or more teeth on each side. The bracteate leaves are regularly shorter than the calyx, almost always sessile and entire, and easily distinguished from the adjacent foliage leaves. Blue to purple flowers are in terminal racemes or racemes that arise from the axils of upper leaves. (Gleason 1963; Gleason and Cronquist 1991).

  Habitat

In Minnesota, S. ovata var. versicolor seems to prefer mixed hardwood forests, bottomland and floodplain forests, oak woodland, and the transition zone between floodplain and oak woodland. It is often associated with Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Tilia americana (basswood), Ulmus americana (American elm), Quercus rubra (northern red oak), or Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak). Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor seems to occur in small patches of up to 50 plants.

  Biology / Life History

Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor is actually a species complex with many published subspecies or varieties. All are limited to the central and eastern states, but only variety versicolor (Nutt.) Fern. occurs in Minnesota (Gleason and Cronquist 1991). Plants emerge in late spring and flower from late June through July. Fruits develop in July and August.

The best time to search for S. ovata var. versicolor is in June and July, when it is in flower.

  Conservation / Management

Any management activities that occur in the vicinity of known S. ovata var. versicolor populations should be planned with extreme caution to avoid direct or indirect habitat alterations. Its woodland habitats may be impacted by certain agricultural practices, animal grazing, certain logging practices, road building, and river control structures. In addition to the potential for direct damage to plants and to the soil from heavy equipment, large canopy openings can increase the amount of solar energy reaching the forest floor. The subsequent drying and warming of the soil can alter the habitat enough to shift the competitive balance among plant species within the forest community. Such habitat changes could be very detrimental to the future of this rare species. Invasion by the non-native Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) can also lead to the decline of all understory plants including S. ovata var. versicolor.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

The Minnesota DNR Biological Survey has been completed in the range of this species in the state. Some populations occur in State Parks where they are protected from most threats. Other populations are on State Forest lands and National Wildlife Refuges, where resource management plans should incorporate habitat protection needs for this rare species.

  References and Additional Information

Minnesota County Biological Survey. 1994. Natural communities and rare species of Houston County. Minnesota County Biological Survey Biological Report No. 50. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.

Minnesota County Biological Survey. 1994. Natural communities and rare species of Winona County. Minnesota County Biological Survey Biological Report No. 49. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. St. Paul.

Minnesota County Biological Survey. 1995. Natural communities and rare species of Goodhue County. Minnesota County Biological Survey Biological Report No. 44. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.