While many of us are feeling the tug toward the end of summer, the prairie is just beginning to come into its own. A walk or hike or stroll at any time of the day reveals new beauty and the mystery of this undulating landscape. The flowers provide a palette of color that is pleasing to the eye and spirit; the grasses waving in the wind are a good reminder to be flexible and strong.
Look for these lovelies over the next few weeks:
Big Bluestem
One of the foundational grasses of the tallgrass prairie, Big Bluestem is at full peak for blooming right now. The yellow flowers are slightly larger than a pinhead and wave effortlessly in any small breeze. This clump-forming grass is an important component in the prairie landscape as a preferred food source for bison, as well as nesting and cover sites for grassland birds and small mammals. The seed heads can resemble the splayed-out toes of a turkey, giving it the nickname of “Turkey Foot Grass.”
Canada Goldenrod
This plant is considered weedy by many land managers but is also an important late-season pollinator plant. The luscious yellow blossoms will soon be on display, but even before they bloom, look for these flower galls. An insect—probably a small fly—lays an egg at the base of a flower bud. Upon hatching, the larva eats into the stem and secretes a chemical that triggers the plant to form the gall. The gall houses the insect through the winter. In the spring, the adult emerges and the cycle continues. The galls do not seem to hinder the plant in any way and absolutely add to the texture of the prairie view.
Hoary Vervain
This short-lived native provides a shout of purple amidst the prairie grasses. It is an important pollinator plant and a lovely, non-aggressive member of any butterfly garden. The leaves are a food source for the Common Buckeye Butterfly larva, and the seeds are a staple for many small mammals and birds.
Gray-headed or Yellow Coneflower
These blossoms have a cheerful, airy quality and may remind you of a badminton birdie. Another important pollinator food source, this plant also has a history of medicinal use for immune support. The seeds, when crushed, have a mild citrus odor and are a nice addition to a potpourri mix.
Bergamot
Also called Bee Balm or Monarda, this plant grows in large colonies and is an absolute magnet for many kinds of bees and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds. A member of the mint family, it has fragrant leaves that can be boiled to make a pleasant-tasting tea.
Round-headed Bush Clover
This plant is hard to miss in the winter with its tall stature and round, stemless seed heads. It is a powerhouse in the prairie plant community. As a legume, it can house bacteria that aid in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, improving the long-term health of other plant species. It is a pollinator all-star as a host plant for many butterflies and moths. It is high in protein, making it a grazing favorite for deer, rabbits, and muskrats. Seeds are eaten by many different species of birds including Turkey, Mourning Dove, Junco, and Bobwhite Quail. The blossoms are rather discreet but lovely to look closely at.
Spotted Mint
A common member of the dry prairie, this plant thrives in sandy soil and full sun. Its unusual, complex blossoms provide an eccentric texture and beauty to the prairie landscape and can be a nice addition to a garden. The blossoms attract Honeybees, Bumblebees, and many butterflies, including the Karner Blue Butterfly. Because the smell is repugnant to many mammal herbivores, it is rarely consumed by them.
On your next visit to Stagecoach Prairie, please do take the time to pause and appreciate the wide variety of plants that make up this incredibly complex and beautiful landscape. We are so lucky to have it.
Hope to see you on the trail!
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