In November 2021, NLGRP initiated germination testing and RNA extraction from seeds newly collected by Chicago Botanic Garden in Summer 2021 to compare with seed from the same population held in long term storage as part of CPC's IMLS funded project to evaluate seed storage longevity in wild rare plant species.

In 2021, CPC contracted the Chicago Botanic Garden to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.

Dieringer (1999) studied the reproductive biology of A. skinneriana in two different populations (one with over 1000 individual plants and another with only a few hundred individual plants) in Illinois. He found that not only is this species capable of self-pollination, but that the rate of self-pollination among plants was higher in the small population than the large.

Hannelore Artiomow, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is studying the influence of population size and plant density on pollinator visitation in this species (advisor Jeff Karron) (Artiomow ongoing 2002).

Judith Canne-Hilliker, at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, has extensively studied the genus Agalinis, including the taxon A. skinneriana. Her studies include work on the chromosome numbers and taxonomy of Agalinis in North America, including A. skinneriana (haploid number n=13) (Canne 1983a).

Genetic analysis (using RAPD markers) of seven populations revealed low genetic diversity within populations (Kercher and Sytsma 2000). The same study also found that these genetic results did not reveal as many differences between populations as morphological data did.

This species is widespread, ranging through much of the Midwestern and South-central U.S. states, and barely reaching Ontario, yet most populations are quite small, with about 50 or fewer plants. The species is easily overlooked when you have other Agalinis flowering at the same time in the same habitats; it is likely undercollected for that reason (T. Smith, pers. comm. 2006). The number of distinct occurrences may exceed 100.

According to Trick (1995), threats include: Encroachment of woody vegetation on prairie habitats due to fire suppression Habitat conversion for agriculture and urban development Inappropriately timed mowing Trampling and agricultural activity

Currently, this species is found in: 7 Illinois counties (Robertson and Phillipe 1993) 26 Arkansas counties (Smith 1988) 7 sites in Indiana (Hedge et al. 1992) 3 sites in Kansas (Kansas Biological Survey 1994) 2-5 sites in Kentucky, 6 counties in Louisiana, 1-2 sites in Tennessee (Ostlie 1990) 1 site in Maryland , 1-4 sites in Michigan, 24 locations in Missouri, & 5 sites in Wisconsin (Trick 1995) 3 populations in Ohio (Cusick 1993) 13 sites in southwestern Ontario (Canne-Hilliker 1987) Trick (1995) reports that populations of Agalinis skinneriana are either in jeopardy, declining, or their status is unknown in every state where the plant is found except Arkansas, where the populations are apparently stable and not currently a concern.

Genetic analysis (using RAPD markers) of seven populations revealed low genetic diversity within populations (Kercher and Sytsma 2000). The same study also found that these genetic results did not reveal as many differences between populations as morphological data did. Hannelore Artiomow, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is studying the influence of population size and plant density on pollinator visitation in this species (advisor Jeff Karron) (Artiomow ongoing 2002). Dieringer (1999) studied the reproductive biology of A. skinneriana in two different populations (one with over 1000 individual plants and another with only a few hundred individual plants) in Illinois. He found that not only is this species capable of self-pollination, but that the rate of self-pollination among plants was higher in the small population than the large. Judith Canne-Hilliker, at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, has extensively studied the genus Agalinis, including the taxon A. skinneriana. Her studies include work on the chromosome numbers and taxonomy of Agalinis in North America, including A. skinneriana (haploid number n=13) (Canne 1983a).

In Indiana, Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve has a management plan for A. skinneriana (Trick 1995) Most known populations of A. skinneriana are located on private land, and so in many cases they are not monitored, managed for, or protected. (Trick 1995)

Information on population status needs to be collected, and the long-term health of known populations needs to be monitored. Loss of genetic diversity and potential levels of inbreeding depression need to be further investigated. Seed banking and seedling recruitment are also areas of research that need attention. A comprehensive plan to protect populations of this species throughout its range is necessary to protect any genetic variation that remains in the species.

Chicago Botanic Garden will continue to maintain seeds in seed banks, and be sure that these seeds represent the full potential genetic diversity of the species.