Chicago Nature Now! Alert
May 14, 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
• One of our favorite showcase preserves, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, is closed until further notice due to abuse. One of our scouts found a family-of-four carrying out flowers that they picked for Mother’s Day. And we received a report of ten mountain bikers who gathered to pick the hoary puccoon and wood betony, possibly for the same reason. This behavior is horrid, and I agree with the temporary policy. But we cannot allow the preserve to be closed off forever. Education and appreciation is the key to helping people fall in love with nature, not locking people out.

BE SAFE:

• Treat the world as if you’re already infected, and WEAR A MASK. Period. A mask 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 blocking trails or gathering around trailheads and intersections.

WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INTO CHICAGO’S WOODLANDS:

“Green” is the theme of the week, as the curtain has dropped on the performances of Virginia bluebell throughout the region. This is my favorite time of spring, when the woodlands reach their height of emerald hues. Chartreuse lace fills the canopy above your head. And beneath your feet, you can barely see your shoes under an emerald carpet of wild ginger, mayapple, wild leek, and skunk cabbage. Black Partridge Woods and Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve are perfect examples of this lushness. And while the sensational shows of Virginia bluebell have faded to a whimper, there are many other flowers to experience.

Wonderful displays of the magnificent, white large-flowered trillium can be found in the upland areas of Messenger Woods. But they’re fading at Heron Rookery Trail (at Indiana Dunes National Park). Yet, as the flower fades, white petals turn to pink. You can also find 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 prairie trillium is flowering in most of our woodlands.

The potentially prolific pink blossoms of wild geranium (our Plant of the Week) are now populating the region’s woodlands alongside the blue blooms of woodland phlox. The shy nodding 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. The shiny blooms of false rue anemone are still blooming at most woodlands.

If you notice a spray of emerald spears on the woodland floor, you’ve found wild leek. It is 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:

Before visiting a preserve, visit the website for the landholder first. Click here for some resources.

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!”):

Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee (5/13+): I love this place, right now, for the greenery that I mentioned in the above wildflower highlights. 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. Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted by a nice display of woodland phlox, which is currently the most prominent flower in bloom, except for the fading Virginia bluebells along the creek. Like the bluebells, the phlox has a wonderful fragrance that you’ll smell as you stroll by. The pink blossoms of wild geranium are just beginning to emerge, potentially headed for a dramatic display. Still adding some sparkle to the forest floor is rue anemone, false rue anemone, common blue violet, common yellow violet, and swamp buttercup. I found a couple of Jack-in-the-pulpit and a handful of the shy drooping trillium. If you’re quiet as you approach the bridge, you may see frogs resting on the muddy banks. The strange and wonderful prairie trilliumis blooming in very large numbers. And you may find some that look yellow.

Black Partridge Woods in Lemont (5/12+): NOTE: The main parking lot is closed, but so what! Just use the on-street parking area located about a hundred feet west. 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. Soon, you should be able to find a large, waxy white bloom hiding under any plant with two umbrellas. Exciting patches of large, acrobatic skunk cabbage adds to the whimsy, Wild leek‘s emerald swords put up a defense, and the star-like leaves of wild geranium give a glimpse into the heavenly pink flower that is just starting to bloom in a big way. A smattering of white and pink shooting star can be found atop the bluffs. And the fragrant woodland phlox is flowering in large numbers. If you find a good patch of phlox, pay attention to its fabulous fragrance. You shouldn’t even have to put nose to petal. The combination of woodland phlox, wild geranium, and shooting star is wonderful sight. Adding to the beauty is Virginia bluebell and the shimmering highlights of white false rue anemone and the pinkish spring beauty. The spiraling buttery blooms of wood betony are now fading. But the sublime nodding yellow blooms of large-flowered bellwort are still going strong in dense colonies along the the brae of the bluffs.

Messenger Woods in Homer Glen (UNSCOUTED. Last scouted on 5/6): Last week, the Virginia bluebell were blooming in profusion. However, I’m sure that most of the blue has since faded. However, on May 6, we found beautiful displays of large-flowered trillium in the drier uplands, and I expect them to still be looking good. The blooms of prairie trillium, swamp buttercup, and false rue anemone are probably still showing their stuff. The fragrant blue blossoms of woodland phlox should be looking nice with more blooms to come. And wild geranium is just starting to flower, with the potential for a fantastic upcoming show! NOTE: The wooden bridge over the creek is sometimes covered in water. If there’s been a recent rain, bring boots or take off your shoes.

Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park (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 are 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.

Heron Rookery Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park (5/2+): This report is an extrapolation of what we found on May 3. This national park offers the greatest density of native plants in the entire national park system and, quite possibly, the nation. Experience the beautiful display of white large-flowered trillium as they turn pink and fade away. The beautiful, understated prairie 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, common blue violet, and common yellow violet. The pink blossoms of wild geranium (our Plant of the week) are adding to the celebration. The lush springtime experience is further enhanced by the spreading foliage of mayapple, wild leek, and wild ginger. NOTE: Trails can be muddy. Use bug spray.

GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet (5/13-): Go for the greenery of wild leek, mayapple, skunk cabbage, and wild ginger, while appreciating the small array of flowers: Virginia bluebell, woodland phlox, wild geranium, common blue violet, false rue anemone, swamp buttercup, and Jack-in-the-pulpit.

PLANT OF THE WEEK: WILD GERANIUM

I love wild geranium for its floating pink flowers and star-shaped leaves that carpet the woodland floor. And my love is genuine. Yet, if my love was inflicted against my will from a love potion, Iroquois Indians believed that a tea made from wild geranium root would neutralize the effects of the love charm. More legitimately, the plant was also used by Native Americans to help reduce bleeding and many other maladies. Leaves and roots were used to treat sore throats, hemorrhoids, gonorrhea, and cholera. It was also used to treat diarrhea, but often caused constipation. Today, the extract of wild geranium can be found in herbal stores as an anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhaging medicine. The name “geranium” comes from the Latin name for crane, “geranos,” because of the crane- or stork-shaped seed pods. The pink flowers have five striped petals and are 1-1¼” across. Multiple flowers will bloom on a stalk that can rise above the foliage, seemingly floating above the plant. You can find wild geranium at all of our featured woodlands. Here, at Oldfield Oaks in Darien, the pink blooms float above its star-shaped foliage.*

PHOTO SECTION

Large-flowered Trillium is still putting on grand displays:

The glorious large-flowered trillium is currently blooming at Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. However, they’re past peak. But that’s when the flowers turn pink. See picture below from Harms Woods.

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

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 Messenger Woods, Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park, 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.*

Wild Geranium is now flowering in all of our woodlands:

Here at Black Partridge Woods, the pink blooms complement green star-shaped foliage. You can find wild geranium in all of our featured woodlands.*

Prairie Trillium:

You can find prairie trillium at all of our featured woodlands. Here, it blooms as the sun sets at O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve.*

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.”

Virginia Bluebells are still in bloom, but not in breathtaking numbers:

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. You can find these flower in great vastness at O’Hara Woods in Romeoville, Messenger Woods in Homer Glen, and Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet.

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.*

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. Soon, a waxy, white flower will appear, like a pedestrian under a parasol. (See wild ginger in the photo below.)*

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