Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
Something I look forward to each summer is the blooming of the prairie flowers. Blooms of various colors, shapes, and textures peeking through the sea of green vegetation. As I walk through the prairie this time of year, I can’t help but stop and marvel at the beauty of all the flowers. There are many, many different plants that call the prairie home, but here are a handful of ones you might encounter. When you’re admiring these beautiful plants, take a little closer look and see what tiny creatures may be visiting, too! Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) The Compass Plant is part of the Aster family. It blooms during the summer and into the fall. It is the tallest of the prairie plants, some reaching 12 feet tall! It has very hairy stems with large leaves. The leaves are oriented North to South to collect the maximum amount of sunlight, this orientation is how the Compass Plant got its name. The sap can also be used as a chewing gum substitute. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Butterfly Weed is part of the Milkweed family. Milkweed get their name because of the milky looking sap, although instead of the milky sap, Butterfly Weed has clear sap instead. Butterfly Weed blooms in the spring and summer and is a host plant for Gray Hairstreak and Monarch caterpillars. Many other butterfly species also enjoy visiting this plant for its sweet nectar. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Black-eyed Susan is part of the Aster family. It blooms in the summer and fall. Black-eyed Susan got its species name hirta which means “hairy” or “rough” because of its hairy stem. In the fall, American Goldfinches and House Finches enjoy feasting on its seeds. Black-eyed Susan is a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot caterpillar who camouflages itself by attaching plant parts with silk to itself for protection. Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) Daisy Fleabane is part of the Aster family. It blooms spring through fall. There are at least seven species of Fleabane in Minnesota. Depending on the species it can have 40-100 petals per flower and the petals can be either light pink or white. Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) Gray-headed Coneflower is part of the Aster family. It blooms in the summer. After pollination, the cone dries to a light gray color, giving it its name. The cone has a strong, pleasant smell when crushed or rubbed. Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) Lead Plant is part of the Pea or Bean family. It blooms in the spring and summer. Lead Plant can live for centuries, not growing larger than three feet. The roots go down 10 feet below the soil and has been given the nickname “Prairie Shoestring” because of the roots. Lead Plant gets its name because it was found growing on top of areas with Lead Ore deposits. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) Purple Coneflower is part of the Aster family. It blooms in summer and fall. Many people also know this plant by its scientific name, Echinacea. Purple Coneflower is used in many herbal remedies. While blooming, many butterflies and bees are attracted to the plant for its nectar, and in the fall Goldfinches enjoy their seeds. Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) Rattlesnake Master is part of the Carrot family. It blooms in the summer. It has a large rootstock that stores water during droughts. Rattlesnake Master has thick, fleshy, leaves with small spikes on them, similar to that of a yucca plant. Rattlesnake Master gets its name because its root was once used to treat rattlesnake bites. Native Americans also used the leaves for weaving things like sandals and baskets. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Wild Bergamot, also known as Monarda or Beebalm is part of the Mint family. Members of the mint family have a characteristic square stem. Wild Bergamot blooms in the summer. Bees, butterflies, beetles, and hummingbirds all enjoy visiting this flower’s blooms. Crushed leaves and flowerheads have a strong scent that is similar to that of Bergamot, a small citrus tree native to Europe. Culturally this plant has been used to make tea for respiratory and digestive ailments. The essential oil from Wild Bergamot is an important ingredient in Earl Grey tea. White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba) White Wild Indigo is part of the Pea family. It blooms in the spring and summer. This plant appears more as a bush with its large shape and woody structure. The leaves of White Wild Indigo are greenish-blue and blacken in the fall. When it blooms, the flowers at the base of the flower stock bloom first and blooming continues up the stock. It has very large seed pods that usually stay attached to the stem through winter. Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Common Yarrow is part of the Aster family. It blooms in the summer and fall. The Genus name Achillea comes from a legend that Achilles used the plant during the Trojan War to treat bleeding wounds. Yarrow is used medicinally in many cultures. The fern-like leaves of the Yarrow plant have a strong aroma. Wildflowers can be a bit daunting since there are so many of them! Here are a few characteristics to look at to help you identify them.
Tips for identifying wildflowers: Look at the
If you need some help with your flower ID, check out these great resources. Wildflowers of Minnesota by Stan Tekiela What's Doin' the Bloomin'? By Clayton & Michele Oslund https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/
2 Comments
Leslie Goble
7/20/2021 02:21:13 pm
I don’t know if it’s considered a wildflower but I love Lupines. I just purchased some seeds to spread around our driveway.
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Megan Betcher
7/20/2021 07:08:45 pm
Yes, they are wildflowers! I love Lupines, they're so beautiful! I like seeing them along the North Shore in early summer
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