Chicago Nature Now! Alert
August 8, 2019
“Weekly Wildflower Reports Featuring
Chicago’s Best Weekend Getaways & Nature Trips”
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The summer blooms have been so frequent and dramatic that I’m worried that you’re taking the beauty for granted and not actually getting out there. Let us know what you’ve been up to by using the comment section (below) or by posting your messages and pictures on our Friends of ChicagoNatureNOW! Facebook group.
WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR WEEKEND GETAWAY IN CHICAGO NATURE:
Before I say anything else, you just have to go to Spears Woods! Bring an extra pair of socks because the experience will knock them off and fling them over to nearby Theodore Stone Preserve.
We’re experiencing another dramatic week of blooming in our prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. The summer is exploding with gold, purple, lavender, and white. Our Plant of the Week is flowering spurge, which you can find at many prairies and savannas across the region. Last week’s floral stars, prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star, are blooming strong, though they’re beginning to fade in some places. When flowering in great numbers, the experience 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. That’s nature for you. And to prove that point, cylindrical blazing star is now blooming, It’s about two weeks early. This plant has the deepest root of any prairie plant. (See illustration below.) Experience it now at Bluff Spring Fen and Shoe Factory Road Prairie.
Our famous pioneer species, wild bergamot and yellow coneflower, are reaching the end of their fragrant run. (See my latest post to learn about these flowers and what they may signify.) You can see them blooming almost everywhere at this time of year, even along the road. Experience huge displays of both flowers at Theodore Stone Preserve. Rattlesnake master is still showing off its molecular flower heads. The flower plays a leading role at many prairies, 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 can still be found at the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and at Belmont Prairie. Big bluestem is starting to bloom, but their tiny flowers are easy to miss when more conspicuous flowers attract our attention. Look for this iconic prairie grass at most, if not every, prairie on our list. And finally, the dramatic aquatic American lotus is now flowering. The pale yellow blossoms 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 leaf is gorgeous and enormous, 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:
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!”):
Spears Woods in Willow Spring (8/5+): Wow! The beauty and color of the prairie will blow your mind! You’ll want to give us a thousand-dollar donation after your visit. The last two weeks have been fantastic, but it’s even more colorful, right now! How can this be? It’s because woodland sunflower and early goldenrod are now in full flower, adding an explosion of gold to an already kaleidoscopic scene. The purple torches of prairie blazing star are at peak and the deep purple hues of ironweed is just beginning. The delicate pearly blooms of flowering spurge create newfound sparkle, reminiscent of baby’s breath in a floral bouquet. And the whites continue with the whimsical round heads of rattlesnake master that occur in breathtaking numbers, cauliflower blooms of wild quinine, and fragrant mountain mint. Golden rosinweed, with its sandpaper leaves, is still hanging on. The turkey-foot tassels of big bluestem are beginning to show their miniature flowers. 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. In the woodland, you’ll find peak blooms of the towering pinkish sweet Joe-Pye weed and more woodland sunflower.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (8/3=): There is so much beauty this week! I counted twenty-seven blooming plants, and I probably missed or dismissed a few. As you enter the preserve, you’ll find yourself protected within the embrace of majestic oaks in the savanna. Quickly, you’ll see the fluffy, tall sweet Joe-Pye weed, pale Indian plantain, bottlebrush grass, starry campion, and some remaining American bellflower. The stand of sweet Joe-Pye weed upon the kame is absolutely stunning. As you pass the savanna, I recommend making a right turn into the open prairie and moving counter-clockwise around the preserve back to this spot. Along the counter-clockwise route, you’ll experience the wonderful bristled heads of Canada wild rye, which will soak you with dew in the mornings. You’ll also find a glorious “forest” of tall compass plant to the west. Take the trail at the “Y” to see them up close. Returning to the main trail, you’ll head east through a dense stand of big bluestem grass, which was giving off fragrant plumes of pollen as we passed through it. The next dramatic display along your way happens at the main seep in the center of the bowl. (Turn left at the end of the “transplant kame,” and carefully traverse the narrow trail over the boardwalk. Soon, you’ll arrive at the main seep.) The scene is gorgeous with a mixture of marsh blazing star and rosinweed. In and around the alkaline water of the seep you’ll find the yellow blooms of shrubby cinquefoil. The plant looks like a low bush. As you continue to the north, there’s a narrow boardwalk that’s hard to see. Take care and continue up the brae of the “switchback” kame where you’ll see an beautiful display of cylindrical blazing star. This plant has the deepest root of any prairie plant. (See an illustration of root depth at the very bottom of this article.) On the kame, you’ll also notice a plant with white balls dotting the vertical stems. That’s rough blazing star which will start blooming in a couple of weeks. At the top of the kame, head west towards the savanna. Soon, you’ll reach an intersection that you’ll take to the left and across a small creek with stepping stones. Continue along, staying left when you reach the kame. You’ll come around the kame to your right and you’ll find yourself where you began your journey into the sun. NOTE: Consider checking out nearby Shoe Factory Road Prairie.
Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest (8/7=): Many dramatic plants are all blooming in large quantities. Our scout, Karen, counted twenty-one native plants in bloom! The most conspicuous and widespread are wild bergamot, cup plant, yellow coneflower, rattlesnake master, and rosinweed. Dramatic purples of prairie blazing star and ironweed add visual excitement. Skyward sawtooth sunflower and pale Indian plantain make an impression. And there’s much more to see: mountain mint, blue vervain, obedient plant, Culver’s root, prairie sundrop, nodding wild onion, and the gloriously red cardinal flower. In the wetter areas, you’ll find the gorgeous pink blooms of swamp milkweed, the bright pink blooms of spotted Joe-Pye weed, the spectacular purple spikes of pickerel weed, and the large pink blossoms of swamp rose mallow.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook (8/7+): If you thought that twenty-one species in bloom at Middlefork Savanna was remarkable, there’s now at least twenty-six bloomers at Somme Prairie Grove! The woodland may be stealing the show, this week, as expanses of golden woodland sunflower exploding under the trees alongside towering and flowering sweet Joe-Pye weed and the start of tall ironweed and brown-eyed Susan. Yet, the preserve would be a “Go” even if the woodland were “just green” because the sunny areas of this oak savanna are overflowing with more than twenty different flowering species. Mountain mint is the most prominent blooming flower, but my favorite sunny spot has little, if any, mountain mint present. It’s an area on the west side where prairie dropseed is the backdrop for shorter-than-usual rattlesnake master, wild quinine, Culver’s root, and the last of the purple prairie clover. Along your walk, you’ll also find these flowering plants: flowering spurge, wild bergamot, yellow coneflower, rosinweed, early goldenrod, prairie blazing star, self heal, showy tick trefoil, spotted Joe-Pye weed, swamp milkweed, ironweed, butterfly weed, nodding wild onion, compass plant, blue vervain, obedient plant, and the tiny blooms of big bluestem.
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.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove (8/7=): This intimate remnant prairie is rich in blooms. Walk slowly to absorb the special moments. The main players are flowering spurge, early goldenrod, rattlesnake master, wild quinine and, to a lesser extent, prairie blazing star. And blossoms of wild bergamot, yellow coneflower, and rosinweed fade, orange butterfly weed still flowers along with showy tick trefoil and nodding wild onion. The flowering and towering big bluestem grass runs throughout the preserve, especially along one trail where it feels like you’re walking through a tunnel. 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.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester (8/5=): The oak savanna is now blooming as well as the prairie, with a dramatic display of woodland sunflower and towering fluffy blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed. Don’t let the drama under the trees distract you from the small wonders. Take note of the whimsical bristled heads of bottlebrush grass. The prairie is putting on celebration of biodiversity, with a large variety of flowering plants on display. The most prominent are rattlesnake master, Culver’s root, and wild quinine. The newly blooming flowering spurge makes the prairie sparkle. And the flamboyant purple spikes of prairie blazing star is still flowering nicely, and easily steals the show wherever you find it. You’ll also find flowers of compass plant and rosinweed alongside the grand leaves of prairie dock. NOTE: Theodore Stone Preserve and Spears Woods are located close by.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham (8/5=): Blooms of marsh blazing star are still looking good, while early goldenrod has reached peak color to add wonderful golden highlights to the dominant mixture of green and white. After entering the gate with the “dummy lock” (see preserve page for details), take the trail that goes to the left. You’re immediately greeted by yellow coneflower, nodding wild onion. some remaining wild bergamot, and a little bit of marsh phlox. After a few seconds, you’ll find a delicate display of prairie dock foliage mixed with prairie dropseed, yellow coneflower, and rattlesnake master. Soon following, you’ll discover stunning dense stands of rattlesnake master and wild quinine. As you hike around the preserve, you’ll see blooms of partridge pea, compass plant, along with a tall forest of the white-flowered pale Indian plantain located about fifty yards from the trail. The texture of the grasses look great. And the tassels of big bluestem are blooming. If you like to smell stuff. then this is the a good week for you.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates (8/4=): This small rare hill prairie is surrounded by a fence. The preserve offers short trails that will quickly take you to the best flower shows. South of the fence is the prairie associated with Carl Hansen Woods, formerly known as Poplar Creek Prairie. This week, the star of the hill prairie is cylindrical blazing star, which has the deepest root of any in the prairie. (See illustration at bottom of this post.) You’ll also find flowering spurge and wild quinine, along with a little rosinweed and wild bergamot. Obedient plant is just starting to bloom. But it’s the prairie beyond the barrier that steals the show with dramatic scenes of the flaming prairie blazing star, the molecular models of rattlesnake master, and the golden sparks of early goldenrod. NOTE: Consider visiting Bluff Spring Fen while you’re here. It’s roughly in the neighborhood.
Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park (8/5-): The yellow blossoms of partridge pea is at peak flower along with the pink spotted bee balm. And the sparkling flowering spurge is reaching its peak, as well. The tiny ivory flowers of whorled milkweed are still hanging on, which you can smell if you stop for a moment and concentrate on the fragrances around you. It might help to first calibrate your nose by bending down to smell it. And while you’re down there, take in the minty aroma of spotted bee balm (also known as, spotted or dotted horsemint).
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hogkins (8/5-): The star of the week is yellow coneflower, though the blooms are getting a little old. The plant grows in vast golden expanses throughout the black-soil prairie located on the west half of the preserve. Rattlesnake master offers a single fantastic spread, but the plant can also be found scattered about. Along your stroll, you’ll also see an abundances of partridge pea, wild quinine, ironweed, and wild bergamot. Other flowers of note are prairie blazing star, mountain mint, early goldenrod, pale Indian plantain, rosinweed, and the blooming grass of big bluestem. NOTE: The preserve is located quite close to Spears Woods and Wolf Road Prairie, which are both on our “Go” list.
GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion (last scouted 7/25): This preserve may very well be a “Go!,” but we didn’t get there this week, and we can’t have you driving a hundred miles (round-trip) to find out. The site 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 flowers to see. However, it’s been two weeks since our last visit. We predict that there is a good bloom of flowering spurge across both the sand prairie and sand savanna. And we also think that the butterfly weed is fading, but that it still looks pretty nice. Please help us scout this preserve by becoming an official Nature Scout.
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.
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: OBEDIENT PLANT
PLANT OF THE WEEK: FLOWERING SPURGE
In August, the white blooms of flowering spurge erupts across the sand savanna at Pembroke Savanna Nature Preserve and many other of our showcase preserves, including Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Somme Prairie Grove, Spears Woods, Belmont Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, and Bluff Spring Fen. The plant is very common, growing in every Illinois county. It thrives in almost any kind of soil and in most living conditions, from disturbed to high-quality areas. It particularly likes poor soil where there is less competition from other plants. I think of this plant as the prairie equivalent to baby’s breath in a floral bouquet.*
PHOTO SECTION
Prairie & Marsh Blazing Star
In late July and early August, the spectacular purple blooms of marsh and prairie blazing star turns prairie ablaze. They are the first of the blazing stars to flower in the summer, followed by cylindrical, savanna, and then rough blazing star. Both marsh and prairie blazing star can easily reach five feet tall The only way to differentiate them is to decipher this coded message from the Illinois Wildflowers website:, “Prairie Blazingstar has floral bracts (phyllaries) that are strongly recurved, while the floral bracts of Marsh Blazingstar are appressed together and relatively smooth.” Huh? Even my magic decoder ring can’t decipher the message.
The flowers on these plants bloom from the top downward, which is helpful for photographers (and our scouts) to know if the flowers are coming or going.
You can experience one or both of these magnificent plants at Belmont Prairie, Spears Woods, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Wolf Road Prairie, Somme Prairie grove, Middlefork Savanna, and many other prairies on our list of showcase preserves.
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 plants are native to the prairie, and both are healers. 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 teasel, 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. Read my article on this topic.*
Cylindrical Blazing Star
In August, cylindrical blazing star blooms in the sand savanna at Indiana Dunes National Park.*
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.*
Big Bluestem Grass
The towering height of big bluestem grass gives true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Canada Wild Rye
This plume of Canada wild rye is drenched in dew at Bluff Spring Fen, which is very common for the foggy, dewy mornings of August.
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. Get out now because they’re almost gone for the year. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois. You can also find this plant at 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.*
Landscape of compass plants at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
The Wonderful 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.
Swamp Rose Mallow
The large blooms of swamp rose mallow is a plant that can be found in August around some of Chicago’s wetlands.*
Spears Woods
Early rays of summer sun filter through the trees and into the vibrant prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois.*
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
At Somme Prairie Grove, woodland sunflowers surround this majestic bur oak in the savanna.*
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
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.*
Bottlebrush grass and wild bergamot glow in the morning light in the oak savanna at Bluff Spring Fen.
Marsh blazing star blooms at the main seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
Cylindrical blazing star covers the northeast kame at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
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.*
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.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
Gensburg-Markham Prairie is famous for its late July fanfare, when the fields ignite with white sparks of flowering spurge and purple torches of marsh blazing star.*
Theodore Stone Preserve
Yellow coneflower bloom in the mesic prairie on the western half of Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins, Illinois.*
Prairie Root System
The root system of some common prairie plants. Note that cylindrical blazing star has the deepest root that reaches over fifteen feet! Click the image for a bigger view.
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
