Basis for Listing

Throughout much of its range, Adlumia fungosa (Allegheny vine) is considered rare or deserving of special conservation status; this is especially true in the western Great Lakes region. For many years, this species was known to occur in nearby Wisconsin and Ontario, but the evidence for it occurring as a native species in Minnesota was ambiguous. As of this writing (2017), there are three recent records from Minnesota (Laurentian Mixed Forest) that seem to clarify its status here. Given that extensive botanical surveys have been conducted in appropriate habitat within the species’ potential range in the state, and only a handful of locations have been found, it is reasonable to conclude that A. fungosa is rare in Minnesota. Further survey work is needed to clarify the species’ distribution and abundance in the state; however, based on the small number of documented populations and the small size of those populations, A. fungosa was designated special concern in 2013.

  Description

Although its common name is “Allegheny vine”, this plant does not always appear in a vine-like form. Its first year, it is a sprawling stem-less  plant, with pinnately compound leaves; each leaf blade has 3 to 5 orders of leaflets and lobes. Its second year, the plant produces a stem with prehensile leaves that wrap around a small branch or other support. In this way, it may climb to a height of 3 meters (10 ft.). The flowers of A. fungosa are white or pinkish, 1.0-1.7 cm (0.4-0.7 in.) long, and occur in axillary panicles (Boufford 1997).

  Habitat

A precise description of A. fungosa habitat is difficult to discern. It is always associated with hardwood or coniferous forests; though it probably does not survive in the deep shade found under a continuous canopy of trees. Instead, it appears to be an edge species or perhaps a disturbance-dependent species, flourishing after fire (fire-dependent forest/woodland).  It is usually found in rocky or sandy soils. 

  Biology / Life History

Adlumia fungosa is a biennial species; meaning that it produces vegetative growth the first year and flowers the second year. It dies at the end of the second year. This life history is characteristic of disturbance species that need to complete their life cycle and leave a bank of seeds that can survive in the soil for many years (even decades), until the next disturbance occurs. In the case of fire, a disturbance cycle may be 40-100 years. If wind storms, insect outbreaks, ice-storms, and other canopy-opening disturbances are factored in, then the disturbance cycle would be shorter.

  Conservation / Management

Assuming A. fungosa is a disturbance-dependent species, then specific types of disturbances may be required. Forests in northern Minnesota have been heavily disturbed by logging, mining, and other human activities for over a century. At the same time, populations of A. fungosa have neither increased nor expanded. Apparently, natural disturbances such as periodic wild fire, wind storms, or lightning strikes provide the type of gaps and openings that this species requires.

  Best Time to Search

The best time to search for Adlumia fungosa is when flowers or remnants of flowers are present, usually between July 20 and September 20.

  Authors/Revisions

Welby R. Smith (MNDNR), 2018

(Note: all content ©MNDNR)

  References and Additional Information

Boufford, D. E. 1997. Adlumia. Page 347 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Volume 3. Oxford University Press, New York, New York.

Judziewicz, E. J. 2001. Flora and vegetation of the Grand Traverse Islands (Lake Michigan), Wisconsin and Michigan. The Michigan Botanist 40:81-208.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: the Laurentian mixed forest province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 352 pp.

NatureServe. 2009. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.