Chicago Nature Now! Alert
April 30, 2020
“Weekly Wildflower Reports Featuring
Chicago’s Best Weekend Getaways & Nature Trips”
Plan the Best Outdoor COVID-19 Getaways Around Chicago!
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE VISITING OUR SHOWCASE PRESERVES DURING THIS TIME OF INCREASED INTEREST IN NATURE:
ChicagoNatureNOW! preserves are Sacred Cathedrals of Nature, NOT playgrounds or amusement parks. Please treat these sanctuaries with reverence, and behave as you would in any house of worship:
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- Stay on the trails.
- Walk, don’t run.
- If your kids need to run around, there are THOUSANDS of more appropriate places to play.
- Speak quietly as to not interfere with the spiritual experiences of others.
- Don’t pick flowers or remove anything from a preserve.
- Share cherished moments by through photography, drawing, painting, and writing.
- Many of these preserves do NOT allow pets, even if they’re leashed.
- If a rule isn’t listed here, then ask yourself, “Would I do this in church?”
IMPORTANT COVID-19 SITE ACCESS & SAFETY TIPS
SITE ACCESS:
Most sites and trails that are owned by Chicago-area counties and Indiana Dunes National Park are open, except for visitor centers, buildings, and bathrooms. Fermilab Prairie woodland (Fermilab Natural Areas) in Batavia is closed. Period. Check out these websites before you go:
- Forest Preserve District of Cook County
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- McHenry County Conservation District
- Forest Preserve District of Will County
- Indiana Dunes National Park
BE SAFE:
- Wear a mask. Period. This keeps your exhalations from taking to the air.
- Give each other at least TEN feet of space between you.
- The wind can carry the virus. When people are present, be conscious of the wind and its direction.
- When having a conversation, position yourselves so that the wind is blowing from the left or the right.
- Don’t block people’s progress by gathering along trails, trailheads, or intersections.
WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INTO CHICAGO’S WOODLANDS:
BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS! The Virginia bluebell is our Plant of the Week, and it’s putting on the premiere premier performance of the early-spring season. These sublime flower shows are proof that Chicago nature offers beauty that rivals the national parks. Experience the magnificence with your eyes, as well as your nose, as the scent of these azure flowers fill the air with a fragrance that some say resembles Froot Loops cereal. Last year, I performed a side-by-side test, where I took the cereal into the field and compared its scent to the flowers. Click here to learn what I found. The flower show should last for at least another week. For performances that will take your breath away, visit O’Hara Woods Preserve, Pilcher Park, and, if you’re adventurous, Messenger Woods (see “Site Access” information above).
The spectacular large-flowered trillium is confirmed to be blooming in great numbers at Heron Rookery Trail (at Indiana Dunes National Park). They can also be found at Messenger Woods. If you live up north, you should soon be able to experience these alabaster beauties at Harms Woods in Glenview and Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Mettawa, both of which are not featured preserves. And speaking of trillium, the elegant and understated red trillium is flowering in most of our woodlands.
When the larger, more flamboyant flowers begin to bloom, they tend to draw our attention away from the smaller, sparkly flowers of the past two weeks. They now take on a supporting roles that can be just as breathtaking. For instance, at Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park spring beauty and cutleaf toothwort create a wonderful show as they carpet the woodland floor. You’ll find these same flowers at all of our other preserves to one degree or another. While you’re walking through the woods, you’ll also find hepatica, cutleaf toothwort, spring beauty, false rue anemone, rue anemone, spring cress, purple cress, white trout lily, and Dutchman’s breeches. Marsh marigold is still blooming at many preserves, including Pilcher Park, Bluff Spring Fen, and at McClaughry Springs Woods in Palos Park (across the stream from the parking lot). Other yellow flowers that you may find are the spectacular blooms of yellow trout lily (only at Heron Rookery Trail) and large-flowered bellwort. And let’s not forget the bright green leaves of spring: the umbrellas of mayapple, the sprawling leaves of skunk cabbage, the heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger., and the spears of wild leek.
This is a great time to experience the long emerald spears of wild leek, the plant that gives Chicago its name. In the late 1600s, Potawatomi Indians who traveled the area rivers were commonly heard to yell “Chicagoua!” after catching a strong whiff of chicagoua, or wild leek, growing prolifically along the wooded banks. Wild leek is part of the onion family, hence the Chicago nickname, “The Big Onion.” If you pay close attention to your nose in woodlands that do not feature the fragrant bluebell, you may be able to catch its sweet onion scent. Then imagine what the smell would have been like a couple hundred years ago when thousands of these plants grew along the flowing waters. Chicagoua!
WHERE TO GO THIS WEEKEND FOR A SPRING WILDFLOWER GETAWAY AROUND CHICAGO:
We’ve ranked the preserves on this week’s list based on the quality of the wildflower experience, starting out with the best or “Go!” The “Go, if You’re in the Neighborhood” section is for sites that are worth visiting if you can’t get out to our top-rated preserves. And our “Preserves for You to Scout” section for those preserves that we couldn’t get to this week, but that you can help us explore! The date within the parentheses tells you when we last scouted the preserve. After the date, you may see one of these three mathematical symbols: +, –, = (plus, minus, equal). They represent our prediction about how the flowers will look like on the coming weekend: “+” is Probably Better; “-” is Probably Less Dramatic; “=” is Probably the Same. Notice the word “probably.”
THIS WEEK’S BEST (“GO!”):
O’Hara Woods Preserve in Romeoville (4/27+): The show of Virginia bluebells has begun, with peak bloom sometime next week. There are plenty of flowers to begin filling the air with the perfumed scent of Froot Loops cereal. The bluebells are so dramatic that they distract your attention away from the other flowers, like the white blossoms of cutleaf toothwort that are now fading. You’ll also find Dutchman’s breeches (that look like white, puffy overalls), spring beauty, skunk cabbage, and wild leek (Chicago’s namesake).
Heron Rookery Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park (4/27+): This national park offers the greatest density of native plants in the entire national park system and, quite possibly, the nation. And now, you definitely need to see the sublime display of large-flowered trillium at peak bloom! On your visit, you’ll also find dense displays of sharp-lobed hepatica and false rue anemone, along with rue anemone, Dutchman’s breeches, cutleaf toothwort, purple cress, spring beauty, common blue violet, and common yellow violet. Look for patches of spear-like foliage that resemble green spotted trout. In there, you may find magnificent blooms of yellow trout lily And red trillium is just beginning to flower. The lush, green springtime experience is further enhanced by the spreading foliage of mayapple, wild leek, and wild ginger.
Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee (4/26+): Parking lot is open starting May 1st.
A rich variety of flowers really putting on a show. The woodland floor scintillates with large densities of small bright blooms. The most prolific sparkler is spring beauty They are joined by rue anemone, false rue anemone, purple cress, white trout lily, Dutchman’s breeches, and just a handful of remaining cutleaf toothwort. Note that many spring flowers don’t open up at the break of day. They are awakened by the light. On cloudy days, they may stay closed up safely in their buds. Fortunately, when closed, the white petals of toothwort are still visible and continue to twinkle. And if that’s not enough, the strange and wonderful red trillium is blooming in very large numbers. Finally, experience the jade hues and lush patterns of wild leek, mayapple, and wild ginger that add to the springtime mix. The Virginia bluebells are blooming along the creek, as well.
Black Partridge Woods in Lemont (4/27+): This lush woodland sparkles bright when the many flowers of spring beauty and false rue anemone open up in the sun. Rue anemone and Dutchman’s breeches can be found alongside the fading white blooms of cutleaf toothwort. And Virginia bluebell is finally blooming. However, I most love this preserve for how it celebrates spring through a rich display of emerald hues. Breathtaking expanses of mayapple and its parasol-shaped leaves set the stage for the large fanning foliage of skunk cabbage, the swords of wild leek, and the small heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger.
Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet (4/30+): NOTE: On 4/30, the road through the park was closed. But you can still walk the trails from the visitor center. Simply park at visitor center that you can access from the Route 30 entrance (at Highland Park Drive).
The Virginia bluebell is beginning its two-week run. As of the scouting date, it’s at 30% peak bloom, which is quite nice. This is one of the best preserves to experience a stunning vastitude of the flower. Bluebells really like the muddier areas along the banks of the creek that meanders through the preserve. Two other plants also like to play in the mud, also also standing water: marsh marigold and skunk cabbage. The yellow flowers of marsh marigold are still looking good. You can find them near the nature center and by the gate and parking area near the bridge (GPS coordinate: 41.532780, -88.016478). Often growing alongside the marigolds (and at other wet woodland spots), you’ll find the large fanning foliage of skunk cabbage. They’re hard to miss. You’ll also find a handful of the usual ephemerals: spring beauty, false rue anemone, purple cress, Dutchman’s breeches, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. The glossy yellow flowers of swamp buttercup are also showing their stuff. And the lush foliage of wild leek, mayapple, and wild ginger add to the springtime feel.
GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (4/28+): The transcendent lemon blooms of marsh marigold, are currently at peak bloom. And the large areas of skunk cabbage are refreshingly green. There are also some nice patches of mayapple and a small number of spring ephemerals. However, for marsh marigold and skunk cabbage, you’re better off visiting nearby Trout Park for dense populations of these plants in an intimate setting. The trail takes you up and down through the bluffs, using a wooden boardwalk that carefully guides you through the extremely sensitive wet areas. When you’re on the boardwalk, look for Chicago’s only native evergreen tree, the rare northern white cedar. Yes, all of those evergreens you see at homes and preserves are not from around here. At the top of the bluff, you’ll also find other spring wildflowers.
Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park (4/30=): Currently, the sand savanna is covered with vast amounts of the blue birdfoot violet and nice amounts of the white sand phlox mixed in. On your visit, you’ll notice mysterious sand mounds throughout the preserves. They are the handiwork of the plains pocket gopher. This rarely seen underground gopher excavates tunnels, and the extra sand has to go somewhere.
Messenger Woods in Homer Glen (4/22+): Parking lot is open starting May 1st.
NOTE: On 4/30, the asphalt bridge just after the trailhead was covered in water. When the water is still, hikers have been known to cross it with high boots or barefoot. Come prepared for a muddy hike.
This weekend, I’d skip all high-water drama at this preserve and head over to O’Hara Woods or Pilcher Park. This preserve is known throughout the country for its display of Virginia bluebell. Mary Jo, our newest scout, reported that the bluebell bloom is behind the other preserves. I’d say about a week. Extrapolating from last week’s scouting mission, you should find a carpet of fresh foliage and blooming ephemerals throughout. The most common flowers in bloom are spring beauty, cutleaf toothwort, Dutchman’s breeches, rand false rue anemone. In the uplands, there are several patches of glorious large-flowered trillium that I suspect are just starting to bloom.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: VIRGINIA BLUEBELL
Ah, the Virginia bluebell. This is the April performance that we’ve all been waiting for. This flower not only looks beautiful, but it smells wonderful, as well. When the flower are blooming, the woodland fills with a fragrance that some say resembles the scent of Froot Loops cereal. So, last year, I put this to a test, in side-by-side comparison. First, I lowered my nose into a small plastic bag filled with the cereal. Wow! I didn’t realize how “sharp” the sweetness was. Then, I cleared my nose by smelling my glove, and moved my nostrils into the fragrant blue trumpets. Here’s what I found. The bluebells do smell like the cereal, but not as sharp. But they also have a floral aroma. Therefore, bluebells smell like a floral Chanel version of Froot Loops cereal.
PHOTO SECTION
Virginia Bluebells begin their spectacular show:
O’Hara Woods presents the best display of of Virginia bluebells around that fill the air with a floral scent of Froot Loops cereal.
Come to Pilcher Park Nature Center for one of the best performance of Virginia bluebell in the region.*
Virginia bluebells bloom en mass along the creek at Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee, though not in vast expanses like other woodlands on our list.*
Messenger Woods in Homer Glen is one of the best places to experience breathtaking expanses of Virginia bluebells. See report above for current conditions.*
Large-flowered Trillium is also putting on a show:
At Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park, large-flowered trillium are currently at peak bloom. It’s a magnificent sight.*
Very soon, large-flowered trillium will carpet the woodland floor at Messenger Woods in Homer Glen.*
I’d say we’re still about a week away from nice displays of large-flowered trillium at Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Metawa and, here, at Harms Woods in Glenview. Notice how the flowers turn pink as they fade.*
Red Trillium is now flowering at many of our woodlands:
You can find red trillium at all of our featured woodlands. Here, it blooms as the sun sets at O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve.*
Cutleaf Toothwort can still be found across our woodlands:
Cutleaf toothwort is small flowers makes a big impact for their size of its flowers, especially when blooming in large numbers. Even when closes, they still impart a sparkle because the petals are much longer than the sepals. Initially, I thought that the “toothwort” name came the toothed leaves or the closed flowers that look like molars. But I was wrong. It is the rhyzome, a root-like structure located just below the soil between the stem and the root. Most people would not figure this out. I mean, I only discovered it after employing my X-ray vision. However, there was a time when people relied on plants, and often their roots, for survival. And Native Americans ate the tooth-shaped tuber. Now, this isn’t the only plant named after its root. The root of bloodroot, as the name suggest, bleeds a red liquid when broken. Native Americans used this sanguine solution as body paint and to dye clothes and baskets.
Early this week, O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve offered a woodland floor sparkling with cutleaf toothwort and the greenery of wild leek and mayapple.
Dutchman’s Breeches (or Dutchman’s Britches):
The flower is called Dutchman’s breeches because it resembles a Dutchman in overalls. I love this flower for the whimsical blooms and the striking foliage.
I photographed this pink Dutchman’s breeches flower at O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve in Romeoville. Notice the beautiful parts and details.
False Rue Anemone:
False rue anemone is a beautiful flower that often blooms in clusters. During the day, they close up into little white balls.
Hepatica:
The sublime pastel tones of sharp-lobed hepatica can be found at most of our featured woodlands.
Marsh Marigold:
Marsh marigold can still be found blooming in the mud throughout the region. On Saturday, April 18 at Elgin’s Bluff Spring Fen, the yellow flowers were covered in a magical patina of morning frost.
On April 15 at Joliet’s Pilcher Park Nature Center, I found these marsh marigolds flowering in the muddy woodland.
Marsh marigold and skunk cabbage at McClaughry Springs Woods in Palos Park, Illinois. They can also be found at Bluff Spring Fen and Pilcher Park Nature Center.*
Birdfoot Violet and Sand Phlox:
Visit Pembroke Savanna to experience a beautiful combination of birdfoot violet white sand phlox.”
Mayapple:
In woodlands across northeastern Illinois, like here at Black Partridge Woods, in Lemont, April showers bring out the umbrellas in the form of mayapples. And the white flowers of false rue anemone sparkle like raindrops.*
Wild Ginger:
At Black Partridge Woods, the green foliage is the star of the springtime show. Here you see the heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger alongside a single blooming mayapple. The flowers of both plants can be found hiding beneath the leaves. Both plants will begin their bloom soon.*
Skunk Cabbage:
It’s springtime at Pilcher Park Nature Center, and sunlight shines through the enormous fanning foliage of skunk cabbage which, if broken, releases a strong scent reminiscent of skunk, though sweeter and not nearly as overpowering. If you’re someone who, like me, finds the powerful essence of skunk to be an invigorating and life-affirming experience, the skunk inside the cabbage will definitely let you down.*
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
