Family: Plantaginaceae
bull's coral-drops, kitten's-tails
Christopher Noll
Robert R. Kowal
Etymology: Besseya: Charles Edwin Bessey 1845-1915 one of two important botanists named Bessey
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-16" tall forb; stems hairy
Leaves: basal rosette of oval, toothed leaves on long stalks; stem leaves dense, much smaller, alternate, and mostly stalkless
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, small, prominently 2-lipped; upper lip sharp, the backward-curving lower lip with 3 irregular, small lobes; 2 stamens; inflorescence a 2"-6", dense, spike-like cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: hairy, 1/8"-1/4" capsule
Habitat: dry; prairies, woods, barrens; in gravelly, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Threatened
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-16" tall forb; stems hairy
Leaves: basal rosette of oval, toothed leaves on long stalks; stem leaves dense, much smaller, alternate, and mostly stalkless
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, small, prominently 2-lipped; upper lip sharp, the backward-curving lower lip with 3 irregular, small lobes; 2 stamens; inflorescence a 2"-6", dense, spike-like cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: hairy, 1/8"-1/4" capsule
Habitat: dry; prairies, woods, barrens; in gravelly, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Threatened
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 9 WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Robert R. Kowal
Derek Anderson
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Derek Anderson
Aaron_Carlson
Derek Anderson
Robert R. Kowal
Rob Baller
Robert Bierman
Robert Bierman