Chicago Nature Now! Alert
May 8, 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:

• • • 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 Will County
• Forest Preserve District of Cook County
• Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
• Lake County Forest Preserves
• Indiana Dunes National Park
• McHenry County Conservation District

BE SAFE:

• Wear a mask. Period. This keeps your exhalations from taking to the air and making others sick.
• 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 FOR PLANNING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AROUND CHICAGO:

BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS, BLUEBELLS! The sensational panoramas of Virginia bluebell is still on at O’Hara Woods Preserve, Pilcher Park, and Messenger Woods. However, this will be the last week to see them because of how fast they flowered this year. 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.

This is my favorite time of spring, when the woodlands reach their height of emerald hues. Over the past week, the tree canopy has quickly filled with chartreuse lace, and you can hardly see soil through an emerald carpet of wild ginger, mayapple, wild leek, and skunk cabbage. Black Partridge Woods is a perfect example of this.

Wonderful displays of the magnificent, white large-flowered trillium and our Plant of the Week can be found in the upland areas of Messenger Woods where they are just reaching their peak. And they are still looking good at Heron Rookery Trail (at Indiana Dunes National Park), but have now passed peak bloom. As white trillium fade, they turn into a light pink. You can also find great shows of these alabaster beauties at Harms Woods in Glenview, Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Mettawa, and at the west end of Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale—all 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 small, shiny flowers of the past three 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 false rue anemone 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 may also find rue anemone, purple cress, white trout lily, and Dutchman’s breeches. The shy drooping blooms of the yellow large-flowered bellwort can be seen at preserves that include Black Partridge Woods and Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve. And swamp buttercup is another yellow flower that’s now making an impact at most, if not all, of our woodlands.

This is also 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 (5/7-): The show of Virginia bluebells is still spectacular, even though it only took a few days to pass peak bloom. The easily accessible trail leads immerses you in the fields of blue. While you’re ogling over the flowers, pay attention to the aroma in the air as the bluebells fill the woodland 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 maroon blooms of red trillium, the yellow swamp buttercup, and the white blossoms of false rue anemone, spring beauty, and Dutchman’s breeches (that look like white, puffy overalls.) The tree canopy has leafed out into a bright-green filagree, while the foliage on the woodland takes on the verdant hues of soon-to-bloom wild ginger, wild leek, and soon-to-bloom mayapple. Look underneath any mayapple with a double umbrella to find the flower.

Messenger Woods in Homer Glen (5/6+): This preserve is known throughout the country for its display of Virginia bluebell, which are currently looking wonderful! But don’t wait much longer. All of the bluebell shows have passed their peak. Most of the bluebells can be found in the lower levels surrounding the meandering creek. However, if you venture to the upper trails, you’ll be treated to nice displays of large-flowered trillium. Joining in the fun are the blooms of red trillium, swamp buttercup, spring beauty, Dutchman’s breeches, and false rue anemone. Woodland phlox and wild geranium is just starting to flower. The latter should soon be putting on a fantastic show! NOTE: The bridge is no longer under water. But rain could change that. If so, bring boots or take off your shoes.

Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet (5/7=): The Virginia bluebell show is big at this preserve, and it looks and smells wonderful! However, they’re fading fast. Bluebells love the muddier areas along the banks of the creek that meanders through the preserve. Flamboyant skunk cabbage also likes to play in the mud while surrounded by the sparkling yellow blossoms of swamp buttercup. You’ll also find a handful of spring ephemerals: spring beauty, false rue anemone, common blue violet, Dutchman’s breeches, Jack-in-the-pulpit, along with freshly blooming woodland phlox, and wild geranium. The lush foliage of wild leek, mayapple, and wild ginger contribute to the springtime feel.

Heron Rookery Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park (5/3+): This national park offers the greatest density of native plants in the entire national park system and, quite possibly, the nation. And now, you should experience the sublime display of the white large-flowered trillium before they fade away. The beautiful understated red trillium is blooming everywhere! And keep an eye out for the downward-peering white blossoms of drooping trillium and for the slender dangling blooms of early meadow rue. On your visit, you’ll also find dense displays of false rue anemone, along with rue anemone, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, common blue violet, and common yellow violet. Wild geranium is now adding its floating pink hues to the celebration. The lush springtime experience is further enhanced by the spreading foliage of mayapple, wild leek, and wild ginger. NOTES: Trails can be muddy. Use bug spray.

Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee (5/4+): This is a very green preserve, especially now as the trees are pushing out fresh delicate leaves and the foliage on the woodland floor has fully matured. This includes the jade hues and lush patterns of wild leek, mayapple, and the omnipresent wild ginger. A rich variety of flowers can be found at this preserve, including a nice display of Virginia bluebells blooming along the creek. Woodland phlox is just beginning to bloom, alongside newly flowering wild geranium that has the potential for a dramatic display. Still adding some sparkle to the forest floor is spring beauty, rue anemone, false rue anemone, white trout lily, Dutchman’s breeches, common blue violet, common yellow violet, and swamp buttercup. 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. The strange and wonderful red trillium is blooming in very large numbers.

Black Partridge Woods in Lemont (5/7+): Wow! This place is green—from the new leaves of the tiered tree canopy to the dense carpet of foliage on the woodland floor. Now, thanks to wild ginger that has finally leafed out, you can hardly see the earth beneath. Currently, my favorite show at this preserve, comes from the miniature forests of mayapple with their parasol-shaped leaves. Look underneath any mayapple plant with two umbrellas and you’ll find either a flower bud or a large, waxy white bloom. Adding to the beauty, Virginia bluebell along with the shimmering highlights of white false rue anemone and whitish-pink spring beauty. often find themselves mixed with mayapple. The large fanning foliage of skunk cabbage, swords of wild leek,, and stars of newly flowering wild geranium contribute greatly to the emerald tones that make this preserve so special to me. Fresh blue blooms of woodland phlox add to the excitement, along with the droopy yellow blossoms of large-flowered bellwort and the spiraling buttery blooms of wood betony on the brae of the bluffs.

Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park (Updated on 5/9): The sand savanna is putting on a beautiful show, with vast amounts of the blue birdfoot violet and nice amounts of the white sand phlox, both in peak condition. 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.

GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

ALL PRESERVES ARE A “GO!” THIS WEEK!

PLANT OF THE WEEK: LARGE-FLOWERED TRILLIUM

Trillium is Latin for “triple,” and the plant lives up to the word.  The showy plant is comprised of three leaves, three sepals, and three petals. The gorgeous white blooms of large-flowered trillium can now be found at our featured preserves of O’Hara Woods Preserve, Pilcher Park, and Messenger Woods and at other preserves like Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Metawa Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale, and, here, at Harms Woods in Glenview. Notice how the flowers turn pink as they fade.*

PHOTO SECTION

Virginia Bluebells continue their spectacular show:

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.

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.*

Messenger Woods in Homer Glen is one of the best places to experience breathtaking expanses of Virginia bluebells. See report above for current conditions.*

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.*

Large-flowered Trillium is also putting on grand displays:

The glorious large-flowered trillium is currently blooming at Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park*

Large-flowered trillium is now covering woodland floor at Messenger Woods in Homer Glen.*

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.*

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.

Birdfoot Violet and Sand Phlox:

Visit Pembroke Savanna for your chance 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, springtime 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. All of our featured woodlands feature both of these plants.*

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