Prepared by Patricia Mohr

Virginia Goat’s-rue (Tephrosia virginiana) is a showy erect herb with bicoloured pink and yellow flowers and a varying degree of hairiness that can lend the plant a distinct silvery appearance. The plant is native to North America and its range includes Canada and the United States. Although considered globally secure, in Canada the species occurs as only two populations a few kilometres apart both in Norfolk County, Ontario. The plant is listed as endangered under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 and under Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act.

Virginia Goat’s-rue was never widespread in Canada. Historically it has been found at only four other sites, also in Norfolk County, Ontario. Its scarcity can be attributed to its restriction to acidic soils in tallgrass savannah and tallgrass woodland, which are rare habitat types in Ontario and Canada. In Ontario, Virginia Goat’s-rue occurs mostly as scattered patches within Turkey Point Natural Area, a portion of Crown land that includes Turkey Point Provincial Park and St. Williams Conservation Reserve. The remainder, encompassing less than five percent of the total population size and area of habitat occupied, occurs on private land.

The main threat to Virginia Goat’s-rue is habitat loss. Fire suppression and land conversion to agricultural and urban use have reduced tallgrass habitats to less than three percent of their former Ontario range. Tallgrass communities depend on disturbance such as fire to discourage woody succession and maintain open conditions.

The recovery goal for Virginia Goat’s-rue in Ontario is long-term survival of the species and its habitat in Ontario through protection and restoration efforts that increase the species' abundance and range.

The objectives are to:

  • protect the species and its habitat within the current area of occupancy;
  • monitor the condition of the species and its habitat within the area of occupancy;
  • increase the area of occupancy using existing suitable habitat;
  • create habitat where feasible; and
  • communicate with partners and the public to speed recovery and build awareness.

Studies on the biology and ecology of Virginia Goat’s-rue reveal the narrowly defined conditions under which the species persists in Ontario and the high level of dependency of the species on its habitat. Accordingly, this recovery strategy focuses on protection and restoration of the species' habitat. Prescribed burns have been effective at maintaining open habitat conditions, but they may be encouraging the growth of exotic invasive plants. Burn programs that include management of invasive plants will help ensure recovery efforts are not undermined.

Efforts at protecting and restoring tallgrass habitats in Ontario have been under way for over a decade. These efforts can benefit not just Virginia Goat’s-rue, but the numerous other species at risk associated with tallgrass habitats. Actions taken to protect and recover Virginia Goat’s-rue that are implemented in cooperation with ongoing habitat and species' initiatives will minimize redundancy, conserve resources and speed the plant’s recovery.

It is recommended that the minimum area for consideration in a habitat regulation include the area occupied by all extant populations, the extent of the tallgrass habitat in which the Virginia Goat’s-rue plants grow, and a 30-metre vegetation protection zone to protect this habitat. The boundaries should be flexible enough to incorporate new species' occurrences as well as refinements to the 30-metre vegetation protection zone.