Common Name:
PRAIRIE-DOCK
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
6
Coefficient of Wetness:
0
Wetness Index:
FAC
Physiognomy:
Nt P-Forb
B. S. Walters
head
This species does not range as far west into the prairies as the others, but is the most common in southern Michigan, especially in calcareous places; prairies and similar grassy habitats (even conspicuous along roadsides), fens, railroad embankments.
The very large, vertical leaves (blade up to 3 dm broad on long petioles) make this a plant recognizable from a distance even without the tall (at least to 3.5 m) stem with large heads. The large woody taproot is likewise impressive.
A Menominee Co. collection (D. Henson 1573) found in a mixed colony of this species and S. laciniatum has leaves and phyllaries intermediate, and is presumably a hybrid.