TOFIELDIA GLUTINOSA
(Michx.) Pers.
False Asphodel
FAMILY: Liliaceae
HABIT: Perennial herb to 5 dm.; flowering June-August;
fruiting late June- September.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Tofieldia glutinosa can be distinguished
from other members of the Lily family in Ohio by the conspicuous dark sessile
glands on the stem and rachis of the inflorescence.
TOTAL RANGE: Nfld. to MN, s. to NY, OH, and IN; in
mts. to WV and NC; also Alta. to B.C.
STATE RANGE: There are post-1960 collections from 6
counties: Champaign, Clark, Logan, Portage, Stark, and Summit. There are
pre-1960 specimens from Lucas and Ross counties.
STATE STATUS: 1980 to present: Threatened.
HABITAT: Restricted to wet, open marly soil: fens, calcareous
ledges, and shores.
HAZARDS: Overshading by woody species as a result of
succession; also, drainage or other alteration of the wetland habitat.
RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Presumed poor due to the limited amount
of suitable habitat remaining in Ohio.
INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering or fruiting material
is needed for positive identification.
COMMENTS: The current knowledge of the range of this species
in Ohio probably is accurate. Most of Ohio's fen communities have been
thoroughly botanized. It is unlikely to be misidentified in flower or fruit,
but it may be overlooked due to its small size. Seeking it in fen habitats from
which it has not already been reported may prove fruitful.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Braun, E.L.
1967. The Monocotyledoneae [of Ohio]: Cat-tails to orchids. The Ohio State
Univ. Press, Columbus OH. 464 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L. 1944. The Tofieldia glutinosa complex
of western North America. Am. Midl. Nat. 31: 487-498.
Kupchan, S.M., J.H. Zimmerman, and A. Afonso. 1961. The
alkaloids and taxonomy of Veratrum and related genera. Lloydia 24: 1-26.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Created: 3/1982 James F. Burns
Database Code: SPGT.A24