Chicago Nature Now! Alert
April 18, 2017
“Chicago nature info and news to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature, right now!
BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS! The Virginia bluebell is the flower of the week and the spring season. If the glorious displays of these flowers don’t make you realize why I say that Chicago nature offers national-park quality natural events, you never will. Not only will you experience the beauty with your eyes, but their sweet scent fills the air (and your nose) with a smell reminiscent of Froot Loops cereal.
Joining the spring celebration of bluebells are false rue anemone, spring beauty, spring cress, Dutchman’s breeches, and trout lily. But look for the wild leek with it’s spraying, spear-like foliage, the umbrellas of mayapple, the small heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger, and the large leaves of skunk cabbage in the muddy areas.
Here are the best preserves to find magnificent displays of Virginia bluebells, and don’t forget to take in their Fruit-Loops scent:
O’Hara Woods Preserve in Romeoville: No matter where you walk, you’ll find bluebells. My favorite place is along the stream in the southern part of the preserve. They go on as far as you can see. This preserve used to be called Dynamite Woods because the site was used to store explosives during World War II. You can still see the crumbling bunkers, but they are being overgrown by woodland plants. But, right now, the ground is exploding with white flowers, like sparklers across the woodland floor. Walk towards the stream at the back of the preserve and you’ll find Dutchman’s breeches that look like puffy white overalls, spring beauties, and, most dramatically, flowing seas of toothwort.
Pilcher Park in Joliet: You’ll find an endless display of bluebells along the creek. Begin your hike at the nature center and you’ll be surround by spring ephemerals throughout your walk. My very favorite flower-of-the-moment is marsh marigold. Look for its yellow blooms in the low, muddy areas of the site. And, when you find a wet and muddy spot, also look for the cabbage foliage of skunk cabbage. It’s hard to miss.
Messenger Woods in Homer Glen: After crossing the bridge, you’ll find an endless carpet of bluebells along the trail that splits to the left. This preserve provides you with the feeling of spring, with a fresh green carpet of foliage and ephemerals throughout.
Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee: Thanks to Zeke Wei, my first volunteer scout, I can confidently say that the bluebells are going strong and so are many other spring plants and flowers. If you’d like to volunteer to scout preserve for me and to help all Chicagoans fall in love with local nature, click here for information.
Black Partridge Woods in Lemont: Bluebells can be found here, though not as many as the above preserves. But, I must say that this intimate preserve will win your heart. It also features the most beautiful stream in the region, but differs from the other preserves because of the tall bluffs. This place is a miracle. You’ll also find false rue anemone, skunk cabbage, wild leek, mayapple, and Solomon’s seal. There’s also wild ginger, with their small heart-shaped leaves, that are just beginning to fill in the woodland floor.
PHOTO SECTION
The Sublime Virginia Bluebell
Virginia Bluebells at O’Hara Woods
At O’Hara Woods in Romeoville, Illinois, the April sun rises to warm the springtime woodland brimming with Virginia bluebells.*
Virginia Bluebells at Messenger Woods
April at Messenger Woods in Lockport features a breathtaking display of Virginia bluebells.*
Virginia Bluebells at Raccoon Grove
In April, Virginia bluebells bloom in profusion along the creek at Raccoon Grove in Monee, Illinois.*
Virginia Bluebells at Raccoon Grove
Come to Pilcher Park in April for the dramatic performance starring Viriginia bluebells.*
MORE FLOWERS
Mayapples and False Rue Anemone at Black Partridge Woods
In woodlands across northeastern Illinois, like here at Black Partridge Woods in Lemont, Illinois, April showers bring out the umbrellas in the form of mayapples.*
Cut-leaved toothwort can be found exploding across our woodlands
Like firecrackers, cut-leaved toothwort explodes in profusion against a backdrop of mayapples at O’Hara Woods in Romeoville, Illinois. This preserves was previously known as Dynamite Woods because explosives were stored here during World War II. Nowadays, spring is when the preserve explodes with flora.*
Dutchman’s Breeches (or Dutchman’s Britches)
O’Hara Woods has a large number of Dutchman’s Breeches. It is one of my favorite spring flowers because the flower is just so kooky and the leaves are a dream.*
Bloodroot
This is bloodroot. The name comes from the fact that breaking the stem makes the plant bleed red. Please, just take my word for it, and don’t pick the flower to find out.*
Pilcher Park’s marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage
In April, I come to Pilcher Park to play in the mud. Here, skunk cabbage and marsh marigold thrive in a woodland floodplain of inky water and the blackest muck I’ve ever seen.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you find this website of Chicago nature information useful, please consider donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book that celebrates all of the preserves featured on this website.
—Mike
