Chicago Nature Now! Alert
July 25, 2019
“Weekly Wildflower Reports Featuring
Chicago’s Best Weekend Getaways & Nature Trips”
Plan the Best Outdoor Getaways Around Chicago!
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WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR WEEKEND GETAWAY IN CHICAGO NATURE:
Many of our showcase prairies and savannas are exploding with the colors of summer: gold, purple, lavender, and white. The floral stars of the week are prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star (only plant nerds with magnifying glasses can tell them apart). These tall, slender plants are the most flamboyant flower in the prairie, with a flaming, feathery flower head that glows like a purple torch. When blooming in great numbers, it is the highlight of the summer season. Spears Woods is usually the best place to find them in great densities, though it varies from year to year.
Our “Plants of the Week” are wild bergamot and yellow coneflower because you can see them blooming almost everywhere at this time of year, even along the road. Experience nice displays of both flowers at Theodore Stone Preserve. See the “Plants of the Week” caption for fascinating information about these fragrant plants. Last week’s “Plant of the Week” was rattlesnake master, which is still blooming strong. You can check out its Tinker-Toy shaped flower heads at many preserves, including Spears Woods, Belmont Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, and more. Meanwhile, the flat-topped cauliflower flower heads of wild quinine are looking spectacular at the same preserves as rattlesnake master. Butterfly weed is still flowering throughout the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve. The freshly fragrant blooms of purple prairie clover are showing at Bluff Spring Fen, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, and some others. And finally, the dramatic aquatic American lotus is beginning to flower. The pale yellow flowers resemble those of a water lily, but they’re much larger—up to eight inches wide atop stems that can reach six feet high. And that isn’t all. The circular leaves are gorgeous and consistently big, up to two and a half feet in diameter! See the Picture Section below for images of American lotus (and where to find it) along with the many flowers featured in this report.
PRESERVES TO VISIT THIS WEEKEND FOR A WILDFLOWER WALK AROUND CHICAGO:
The order of the preserves below is 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 preserves. And we have a special “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 tell you when we last scouted the preserve.
THIS WEEK’S BEST (“GO!”):
Spears Woods in Willow Spring (7/25): This preserve is a MUST SEE! I love the preserve’s beautiful rolling prairie. And now is the perfect time to see a kaleidoscopic array of prairie flowers. The purple torchlike flower heads of prairie blazing star and golden flames of early goldenrod are just beginning to set the grassland ablaze. The round white-hot heads of rattlesnake master add shimmering sparks to the flames, growing in great densities at several places throughout the prairie. Wild quinine provides additional sparkle with its pearly blooms that span the prairie, while mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, wild bergamot, rosinweed, ironweed, and Culver’s root add to the conflagration. At some spots in the prairie and where the prairie meets the trees, woodland sunflower blooms, but it’ll be a little while longer before they ignite under the trees. Walking through the woods, bottlebrush grass glows in the sunlight, and sweet Joe-Pye weed towers with feathery blooms-to-be. And finally, a parasitic summer vine called field dodder can be found draped like orange Silly String over vegetation at the bottom of the bowl in the eastern prairie.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove (7/23): Our scout used the terms “a resounding go” and a “Wow!” to describe this week’s glorious display. This prairie may be small, but it’s rich in blooms. Walk slowly to absorb the special moments. The stars of this week’s show are the ever-present displays of rattlesnake master, wild bergamot, and yellow coneflower. You’ll also find wild quinine, false sunflower, early goldenrod, rosinweed, and the start of prairie blazing star. Notice the wondrous foliage of prairie dock and compass plant that glow a bright green in the low sun. See Photo Section for a picture of the leaves.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (7/21): In the open prairie, there are many flowers currently blooming in nice densities: yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, purple prairie clover, wild quinine, and the show-stopping marsh blazing star. Many other flowers add to the experience, including hoary vervain, black-eyed Susan, false sunflower, rosinweed, and compass plant in the prairie, with prairie loosestrife and spotted Joe-Pye weed in the wetter areas. In the savanna, look for bottlebrush grass and the skyward white-flowered pale Indian plantain. A plant that’s almost as tall, called sweet Joe-Pye weed, is about to show its pink flowers. NOTE: Consider checking out nearby Shoe Factory Road Prairie.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook (7/24): At this moment, there are several species blooming under the sun, most prominently rattlesnake master and purple prairie clover. Among the many co-stars are butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, mountain mint, Culver’s root, rosinweed, prairie sundrop, early goldenrod, wild quinine, climbing wild rose, purple milkweed, swamp milkweed, and newly blooming compass plant. And don’t forget to appreciate the beautiful foliage of prairie dock, compass plant, and prairie dropseed. Walk through the woodland to see bottlebrush grass, the blue American bellflower, the white skybound blooms of pale Indian plantain, and the newly blooming sweet Joe-Pye weed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is construction on Dundee Road east of Waukegan Road, but you can still drive around the “Detour” barricade because it’s open to local traffic. The preserve entrance is located on the left side about 500 feet beyond the barricade. Due to the construction, Google Maps instructs you to park on Ferndale. Ignore it! Park in the main lot, or use the alternate parking location found on our web page for this preserve.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion (7/25): This preserve offers a varied terrain and a mix of habitats that bring interest and an added dimension to your visit, even if there weren’t any blooms. But there are! The black oak savanna is in full of color as the orange blossoms of butterfly weed reach peak color. Black-eyed Susan adds splashes of gold. And flowering spurge, with its delicate sprays of tiny white flowers, is beginning to bloom in the savanna and the sand prairie. You’ll also find marsh phlox and common milkweed.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester (7/23): This summer prairie offers many different blooms, the most prolific being rattlesnake master, Culver’s root, wild quinine. Mixed in are blooms of yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, and the newly emerging prairie blazing star. You’ll also find blooms of compass plant, marsh phlox, rosinweed, and flowering spurge alongside grand leaves of prairie dock. Under the trees of the savanna, you’ll find bottlebrush grass and the soon-to-bloom sweet Joe-Pye weed. NOTE: Theodore Stone Preserve and Spears Woods are located close by.
Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest (7/24): Many plants are blooming to create colorful vistas, including a prairie full of rattlesnake master, wild bergamot, cup plant, yellow coneflower, along with the towering sawtooth sunflower and pale Indian plantain. In the wet spots, look for the gorgeous pink blooms of swamp milkweed and the spectacular purple spikes of pickerel weed.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham (7/24): After entering the gate with the “dummy lock” (see preserve page for details), take the trail that goes off to the left. After just a few seconds, you’ll find a delicate display of prairie dock foliage mixed with low grasses and marsh phlox, followed by dense stands of rattlesnake master that combine with wild quinine, black-eyed Susan, and more marsh phlox. New blooms of marsh blazing star and early goldenrod elevate the color to a higher level, As you hike around, you’ll see blooms of rosinweed and its cousin compass plant, along with a tall forest of the white-flowered pale Indian plantain about two hundred feet from the trail. If you like to smell stuff. then this is the a good week for you. Stick your nose into the fragrant flowers of yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, and purple prairie clover. The rarer white prairie clover is also present, but I’ve never tried to smell it. If you do, please let me know what you learn.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates (7/20): This is a very small preserve with short trails that will quickly take you to the best flower shows. The most exciting blooms currently come from purple prairie clover at the official site inside by the fence. But the bigger prairie outside the fence seems to be stealing the show with beautiful scenes of rattlesnake master and displays of Culver’s root, rosinweed, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, the cauliflower-headed wild quinine, and the beginnings of the fabulous prairie blazing star. NOTE: Consider visiting Bluff Spring Fen while you’re here. It’s roughly in the neighborhood.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hogkins (unscouted): Last week when I scouted this preserve, the mesic prairie in the western half of the preserve was a “Go.” And I predict that it’s looking even better, right now, given that early goldenrod and mountain mint are blooming more fully. The preserve is located quite close to Spears Woods and Wolf Road Prairie, which are both on our “Go” list. Most of the floral color comes from nice amounts of wild bergamot, yellow coneflower, and rattlesnake master. You’ll also find wild quinine, butterfly weed, and false sunflower scattered about.
GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
None. How wonderful that so many preserves are a “Go!” this week!
PRESERVES FOR YOU TO SCOUT:
This is a category for those who’d like do a little exploring for us. The preserves listed below were not scouted, this week, but may be worth the trip. Please send us your findings and images by email or, better still, join our Friends of ChicagoNatureNOW! Facebook page. While visiting a preserve, take mostly scenic pictures, tell us which flowers are blooming, and then give us your bottom-line opinion of your experience. Tell us if it’s a “GO,” a “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood,” or a “NO.” If you’d like to scout more regularly, then learn about becoming an official Nature Scout.
Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park: This superb sand savanna is home to many flowers. Look for flowering spurge and partridge pea.
Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie in Chicago: This high-quality preserve is located inside the city of Chicago.
Miller Woods at Indiana Dunes National Park: We’re looking for a scout to regularly visit this big, beautiful preserve. Let us know if you’re interested.
Chiwaukee Prairie in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin: This prairie-by-the-lake offers cooler temperatures during the hot summer months. Let us know what you find!
COMING SOON: FLOWERING SPURGE, PARTRIDGE PEA, A FULLER BLOOM OF BLAZING STAR, SWEET JOE-PYE WEED
PLANTS OF THE WEEK: WILD BERGAMOT & YELLOW CONEFLOWER
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Wild bergamot gets its name from a scent that resembles oranges that grow in Bergamot, Italy. Both of our “Plants of the Week” are native to the prairie, and both are healers. And this is why I grouped them together, this week. Known as pioneer species, they are among the first plants to colonize disturbed or degraded areas. Their presence improves soil quality while allowing other plants to move in, leading to greater biodiversity. You can find these plants at many preserves across our region, but also in roadside ditches where they share space with invaders like tease, reed canary grass, and giant reed (phragmites). Therefore, it shouldn’t be assumed that wild bergamot and yellow coneflower are indicative of a high quality habitat. If you find them dominating large portions of a preserve, then the site lacks biodiversity and is in need of restoration.*
PHOTO SECTION
Prairie Blazing Star and Marsh Blazing Star Have Begun Their Flamboyant Bloom!
In July, prairie blazing star and rosinweed bloom side-by-side at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, Illinois. You can also find prairie or marsh blazing star at Spears Woods, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Wolf Road Prairie, and many other prairies on our list.*
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake master is a wonderful Chicago prairie flower that looks resembles Tinker Toys or molecular structures, or something you might find in Arizona or Texas. The plant gets its name because some Native Americans brewed a tea from the root as an antidote for rattlesnake venom. To prevent bites, some chewed on the root, then spat on their hands before handling a rattlesnake. Of course, I’m interested to know if this really works. What’s more, the research may not even require a flight to the desert. That’s because, believe it or not, the rare and endangered eastern massasauga rattlesnake lives right here in the Chicago area. So, if you perform the experiment, please get back to me with the results, either you or next of kin. To experience rattlesnake master, visit Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, Kickapoo Woods and Prairie, Spears Woods, Theodore Stone Preserve, and other local prairies over the next few weeks.*
Butterfly Weed (or Butterfly Milkweed)
Here at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, the bright orange flowers of butterfly weed makes a colorful statement. The best display can be found at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent
The flowers of purple prairie clover emanate my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature, giving off the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois. You can also find it at Bluff Spring Fen, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Wolf Road Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie., Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, and others.*
Mountain Mint
Inhale the invigorating white flowers of mountain mint that grow here at Spears Woods and at many other preserves on our list.*
Compass Plant
The golden flowers of compass plant is now blooming atop a stalk that reaches for the sky.*
The Wonderfully Large Leaves of Compass Plant & Prairie Dock
These are the large leaves of the prairie’s most iconic plants. The heart-shaped leaf is that of prairie dock, and the long-lobed leaf is from a cousin called compass plant.*
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois.
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois is teeming with the grand American lotus. You an reach the wetland by first parking at the far end of Pulaski Woods parking lot and then walking a short distance along the trails.
Spears Woods
In late July at Spears Woods, wildflowers float above the prairie like musical notes in a symphony of color and texture.*
Prairie blazing star and wild quinine light up the prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois.*
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed. As of this post, they are just starting bloom.*
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Butterfly milkweed (or butterfly weed) is now blooming in the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois. And you can find it at many other preserves in the region, including Belmont Prairie, Powderhorn Prairie, and Somme Prairie Grove.*
The Dead River, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, is the only remaining river in Illinois that flows into Lake Michigan. The name comes either from deep pools of quicksand hidden along the banks that devour unsuspecting hikers or from water that remains still and barely flows. On this sapphire morning, the latter was true.*
Somme Prairie Grove
Here, at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois, we see the large, deeply lobed leaf of compass plant among a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Purple prairie clover and mountain mint steal the show in this area of Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Blazing star blooms at the seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
This is a view that’s forming in the prairie at Bluff Spring Fen. Just as blooms of leadplant and coreopsis fade, purple prairie clover rises to take their place.*
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Wolf Road Prairie
This image is fairly representative of what you’d see at Wolf Road Prairie, but every plant shown is currently blooming except for the tall purple spikes of prairie blazing star.*
In July at Wolf Road Prairie, wildflowers combine to resemble a fireworks display.*
Wolf Road Prairie puts on a lesson in biodiversity. Pictured are prairie blazing star, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, Culver’s root, rosinweed, and yellow coneflower.*
Culver’s root can often bloom en masse at Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, Illinois.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
The summer sun goes down on wild quinine and marsh phlox as nonstop tollway traffic rolls past its eastern border. Each hour of each day, people drive by, unaware of the natural treasures they’d discover by taking the West 159th Street exit.*
Theodore Stone Preserve
Yellow coneflowers bloom in the mesic prairie in the western half of Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins, Illinois.*
If you find this website of Chicago nature information useful, please consider donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book that poetically celebrates all of the preserves featured on this website.
—Mike
