Virginia Goat’s-rue **(Tephrosia virginiana)**

Status in Canada: Endangered

Status in Ontario: Endangered

Status at SWCR: Rare – occurs in only one location

This perennial herb has conspicuous pink and yellow flowers above a leafy stem. In Canada, Virginia Goat’s-rue occurs within a very restricted portion of Norfolk County, and the SWCR population it is the only one on public land.

Quick Facts:

There are only two populations left in Canada, and the population at the SWCR is the larger of the two.
This pioneer species needs open areas with a lot of light, and dry, sandy soils.
It is a fire-adapted species: plants grow larger and have more flowers after spring burns.

Threats at the St. Williams Conservation Reserve:

Habitat Loss and Degradation: due to invasive species, fire suppression and succession.

Recreational Pressures: that can damage individual plants and their habitats.

Activities that can damage Virginia Goat’s-rue and its critical habitat include:

Activities that can introduce or encourage the growth of invasive plants, such as dumping of garden waste and off-trail ATV use.
Activities that can damage individual plants such as unauthorized collecting, unauthorized road and trail use, or off-trail ATV use.

St. Williams Conservation Reserve management practices:

Population monitoring
Sand barren thinning activities
Invasive plant control
Enforcement of unauthorized trail use
Prescribed burns

What you can do to help:

Follow the code of conduct for recreational activities in the Conservation Reserve and know and respect the current trail-use regulations.
Clean your boots, bicycle tires, or ATV before and after visiting the SWCR or other natural areas to avoid spreading invasive plant seeds.
Report unauthorized trail use or any illegal activity related to plants and wildlife to 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667).