A rare parasitic plant, called broomrape, was recently rediscovered in Manitowoc County.  The Wisconsin Department of Resources announced Wednesday that a trained volunteer for the Rare Plant Monitoring Program spotted the plant on the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan south of the Door Peninsula.  The clustered broomrape has not been seen in over 44 years.  DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Botanist and Rare Plant Monitoring Program Coordinator Kevin Doyle says the new discovery of the population of a rare parasitic plant, like the broomrape, is important in conservation efforts in the area. “These new discoveries are very exciting.  They help increase our understanding of the number of locations of rare plant species in Wisconsin so we can better monitor and protect them.” 

The Rare Plant Monitoring Program volunteers are trained in surveying techniques, including how to accurately estimate large plant populations, assess habitat conditions and use GPS coordinates to locate and mark rare plant populations.  You can learn how to become a volunteer for the program with this link.