Beneficial Management Practices for Saskatchewan

Species at Risk:

Western Spiderwort Threatened

• Plants 5-60 cm tall

• Grass-like, alternate leaves 10-30 cm long

• Clusters of up to 25 blue, rose or white flowers

• 3 round petals

• Perennial flowering late June to early July

Sarah Vinge

• Inhabits partially stabilized and active sand dunes

• Prefers south and southwest facing slopes where snow is more abundant and sun exposure is greatest

• Located in the Elbow Community Pasture and Douglas Provincial Park in the Elbow Sand Hills

• Status: Threatened

• Decline due to habitat loss to cropland (historical), dune stabilization, exclusion by invasive alien species, ATV use on dunes, sand and gravel extraction, road/right-of-way maintenance, and high intensity grazing

• Most current SK estimate: ~48,700 plants

Beneficial Management PracticesGrazing• Graze moderately during late season• Graze every year but graze heavily in some

to help destabilize dunes and reduce woody and other competing vegetation

• Use methods that do not disturb native herbaceous ground cover when clearing brush to improve range or access

Invasive Alien Plant Species

• Avoid using herbicides in the vicinity of a Western Spiderwort population

• Biological control of leafy spurge using insects may benefit Western Spiderwort

• Seed non-invasive forages if seeding adjacent to Western Spiderwort site or consider using native forages

Roads

• Place any roads, trails and other developments away from known plants

• Avoid use of existing roads and trails adjacent to spiderwort sites during growing season

• Eradicate or control spread of invasive plant infestations along roads and trails adjacent to spiderwort sites