Chicago Nature Now! Alert
September 19, 2019
“Weekly Wildflower Reports Featuring
Chicago’s Best Weekend Getaways & Nature Trips”
Get Out This Weekend to Experience
The Best Outdoor Getaways Around Chicago!
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
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WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR WEEKEND GETAWAY IN CHICAGO NATURE:
I love this time of year in our prairies and savannas. The air is cool and the light is much softer on the eyes. And just as new blooms bring fresh color and texture to the natural landscape, the advent of autumn is no different. Browning seed heads spring from fading flowers, and leaves of green slowly transform into purples, reds, and rusts. This sets the stage for the soft autumn sunlight, as it shines through the foliage, igniting the fields in a brilliant glow. The following preserves feel special in this way: Spears Woods, Bluff Spring Fen, Somme Prairie Grove, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, and Pembroke Savanna, Wolf Road Prairie, and Lake in the Hills Fen.
This is probably the last week to experience the richness of gold flowers in Chicago’s prairies and savannas. The yellow rays of sawtooth sunflower are still looking good at some sites. These plants can grow up to twelve feet high. And this week, I found some eleven-footers by the prairie house at the north end of Wolf Road Prairie. Many species of goldenrod are fading, but still adding sparkle to the scene. NOTE: Goldenrod does not provoke allergies. Their pollen is heavy, and drops to the ground. Therefore, it can’t float through air to be inhaled. The real culprit is common ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Many of the asters are now flowering, marking the end of the blooming season. There are so many asters and goldenrods that it’s really hard to identify them all. Click here for a complete (pdf) list of local asters and goldenrods.
Our new Plants of the Week are the asters, which put on the final showy displays of the growing season. You can find several species of aster in the prairies and open woodlands of our region, including Somme Prairie Grove, Wolf Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Spears Woods, Somme Prairie Grove, and Illinois Beach Nature Preserve.
Now’s your last chance to experience the remaining display rough blazing star, which has passed peak bloom at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and Pembroke Savanna. These two preserves are spellbinding at this time of year, no matter what the flowers are doing.
And right now, you can see white snakeroot, the deadly plant that killed thousands in the 1800’s by what was called “milk disease.” You can smell it and touch it, BUT DON’T TASTE IT! Watch this video to learn more:
For a greater appreciation of our native habitats, touch and smell the plants. (But don’t eat them unless you know what you’re doing.) Run your fingers across the soft tan tassels of Indian grass and atop the rough, sometimes smooth, leaves of our many sunflowers. Tickle your hand as you pass through a cloudy plume of prairie dropseed. And while you’re there, stop and pay attention to its rich fragrance of slightly burnt buttered popcorn. Receive the strong and refreshing fragrance of mint from the fading flowers of mountain mint and wild bergamot. The seeds of yellow coneflower smell like licorice, New England aster explodes with spice (watch video), while the seeds of purple prairie clover give off my favorite good smell in Chicago nature—a transfusion of lemons and carrots. So, what is my favorite bad smell? That would be the brown, teardrop seed ball of foxglove beardtongue. When in bloom, the white snapdragon flowers have no appreciable smell. But beginning around the end of August, the seeds smell exactly like vomit. Some say, “moldy socks.” Either way, it’s fabulous!
In addition to flowers, check out our special section below where we tell you where to see hummingbirds, ferns, and a Chicago-area canyon!
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 (last scouted on 9/17=): I love walking around this preserve in the soft autumn sunlight. The mix of prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and rolling hills add so much to the experience. Currently, the prairie still offers fantastic golden blooms of sawtooth sunflower and goldenrods amidst a sea of purple of big bluestem and the tawny tassels of Indian grass. A breathtaking expanse of false aster can be found in the sunny wetter areas. And the woodlands are beautiful with an abundance of elm-leaved goldenrod, white snakeroot, and aster.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester (9/17=): Come when the sun is shining to see the prairie glow amidst towering expanses of sawtooth sunflower. Several goldenrods are still blooming (stiff, tall, grass-leaved, field, elm-leaved in woodland, etcetera). And look closely for the blue bottle gentian, cream gentian, prairie gentian, and stiff gentian.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion (9/14=): Our official Nature Scouts could not make it here, this week. But we did receive reports from CNN! followers Lillian Schnitzler and Karen Thomas Anderfuren. Learn about becoming a scout, here. Thanks to Lillian and Karen for scouting in spite of the deep water that flooded Lake County last weekend. They agreed that, even though the rough blazing star has faded, the preserve is a wonder to visit. And that’s how I feel about this place. Right now, expect to see goldenrod and asters, the changing colors of the grasses, and the light shimmering through the canopy of the oak savanna.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook (9/18=): Somme Prairie Grove is known for the simultaneous blooms of many species. And that’s what you’ll find, right now. The best blooms are happening under the sun with beautiful expanses of sawtooth sunflower and goldenrod (field, rough, and Riddell’s under sun, zig-zag in the shade, and swamp in the wet spots). Also part of the show are the many asters, some obedient plant, and possibly savanna blazing star alongside the tall grasses of big bluestem and Indian grass. You also find several gentians: fringed gentian, bottle gentian, stiff gentian, cream gentian, prairie gentian, and the fringed gentian The gold continues under the trees with displays of sweet coneflower mixed with rich purples of spotted Joe-Pye weed. You’ll also find more asters and the deadly white snakeroot (watch video above).
Here’s a list of asters that you can find at Somme Prairie Grove, thanks to our wonderful resident plant expert and steward at Somme, Eriko Kojima.
In the shade: Drummond’s aster, Short’s aster, and Calico aster (aka side-flowering aster)
Open woods: forked aster
Under the sun: sky blue aster, smooth blue aster, flat-topped aster, and New England aster
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.
Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest (9/15=): The foliage of the September prairie is adding color to a dramatic mix of late-summer flowers. The golden flowers predominate, primarily from the various goldenrods and the large, dramatic displays of sawtooth sunflower at peak bloom! Highlights of pearl can be seen in tall boneset, false aster, and hairy aster. The purples of ironweed, New England aster, and pasture thistle add splashes of visual excitement. And there’s much more to see.
GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (9/18=): Most of the floral color has faded, but the color of the foliage under the sun makes up for it to some degree. The showy sunflowers are gone, but newly blooming asters add a nice touch. And then there are the fringed gentians! There aren’t many, but they may be worth the trip. Under the trees, you’ll find asters, goldenrod, and lots of white snakeroot.
NOTE: Consider checking out nearby Shoe Factory Road Prairie.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates (9/17=): Different kinds of goldenrod are blooming, including a nice display of showy goldenrod. Various asters are scattered about along with tall boneset and the occasional bottle gentian. Outside the fence, you can still find a good amount of sawtooth sunflower, goldenrods, and boneset. And, the grasses of big bluestem, and Indian grass are quite dominant.
NOTE: Consider visiting Bluff Spring Fen while you’re here. It’s not far away.
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills (last scouted on 9/14=): This is a great preserve to visit if you want to get away from it all! The grand vista of towering grasses and forbs is wonderful. Goldenrods and sawtooth sunflower populate sections of the preserve to create vistas of gold. And asters are sprinkled about. Also omnipresent are big bluestem. Indian grass, and tall boneset. You’ll also find rough blazing star that are still in good conditions. And, along the edge of the seeps, look for these beauties: Riddell’s goldenrod. Kalm’s lobelia, swamp lousewort, and Grass-of-Parnassus.
Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park (9/7-): We did not scout this preserve, this week. But if you’re in the area, especially if it’s sunny, I think you’ll love the experience of how the sunlight makes the autumn understory glow. The big show of rough blazing star is past peak, but there’s bound to be a good amount of it blooming along with beautiful field goldenrod.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham (last scouted on 9/5+): We didn’t scout this prairie, this week. But, if you’re in the neighborhood, you’ll enjoy the golden highlights of the September prairie amidst a purple sea of big bluestem and Indian grass. I suspect you’ll find various species of goldenrod, some sunflowers, different asters, tall boneset, and occasion flashes of purple from pasture thistle.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove (9/17=): Right now, this intimate remnant prairie is not nearly as showy as the preserves on our “Go” list (above). But, if you’re in Downers Grove and have a few minutes, check it out. Currently, you’ll find fading blooms of sawtooth sunflower, goldenrods, freshly blooming asters, towering grasses, and blue bottle (or “closed”) gentian. The flowers of bottle gentians are always closed, so don’t expect them to ever open. To detect these low-lying plants, keep your eyes to the ground. They’re easy to miss as you swim through the sea of tall grasses. A special thanks to Greg Jerzyk who provided us with a list of asters at Belmont Prairie: Drummond’s aster, Heath aster, New England aster, hairy aster, and smooth blue aster.
NOTE: If you visit in the morning, make sure to wear rain gear or you’ll get drenched from head to toe.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins (last scouted 9/3-): We did not scout this preserve, this week. However, if you’re in the area, walk the trails to experience the tall late-summer grasses of big bluestem and Indian grass. In the eastern dolomite prairie, see beautiful little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and the yellow plumes of field goldenrod The western side of the preserve is mostly made up of tall grasses, but you’ll also find a mix of goldenrods, asters, sneezeweed, and dense stands of late boneset.
NOTE: The preserve is located quite close to Spears Woods and Wolf Road Prairie, which are both on our “Go” list.
Fermilab Prairie in Batavia (9/18+): The grasses dominate this preserve, with only a smattering of blooms from asters, goldenrods, and maybe some sunflowers. Much of the preserve is covered with waves of purple and brown grasses combined with soft highlights of gold. This prairie is a reconstruction, not a restoration. It was originally a prairie that was turned into farmland and turned back into prairie (sort of). In 1971, Dr. Robert Betz embarked on a bold experiment to reconstruct the prairie from nothing, employing the same agricultural practices that caused its demise. While the soil will take eons to replenish and, though not as rich as other remnants or restored prairies, Fermilab Prairie provides the region with a large expanse of grassland for people to explore. I say “grassland” because, in proportion to the flowering plants (forbs), you’ll find much more big bluestem and Indian grass than most prairies. You can find a similar situation with the prairie at Carl Hansen Woods—the expanse south of the Shoe Factory Road Prairie. It was once thought that planting grasses first would help heal the land. But it was later learned that they prevented the forbs from taking hold. Nowadays, forbs and less-aggressive grasses (like side oats grama) are planted first. Then, after they’re well-established, the grasses are introduced. You can see an example of this success in the southwest corner of Bluff Spring Fen, where you’ll find towering compass plant and other flowers. My friend and a true man-of-the-prairie, Roger Hotham, was instrumental in restoring this area of the preserve.
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.
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!
Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie in Chicago: This high-quality preserve is located inside the city of Chicago. If you live in the Calumet region, here’s your chance to help bring nature to your neighbors.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds!
The hummingbirds are here! You can find them buzzing about at many nature centers including: Sagawau Canyon, Pilcher Park (at the nature center and south of the greenhouse), and Little Red Schoolhouse.
Ferns & Canyon Tours
Miller Woods, Tolleston Dunes, Cowles Bog Trail, and Hoosier Prairie (all in northwestern Indiana) are leaping with gymnastic ferns that are beginning to change into their autumn colors. If you’d like to experience a beautiful fern-lined canyon, call Sagawau Canyon in Lemont to sign up for their next canyon tour. Hurry! They fill up fast.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: THE ASTERS
Asters come in a variety of colors: white, pink, purple, and blue. The name comes from an Ancient Greek word for “star.” You can find them in most prairies and savannas, and in some wetlands around the region. This is an image of New England aster, which is just one of the many species of aster that bloom at this time of year. Click here for a complete (pdf) list of local asters and goldenrods.
PHOTO SECTION
Sawtooth Sunflower
At Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, Illinois, towering sawtooth sunflower blooms in endless fields of gold in one of the last dramatic displays of the summer season. It gets its name from the leaves that often have a toothed edge, like a dull serrated knife. The plant can grow in dense colonies and can reach twelve feet tall! Bring a metal tape measure with you, and find the tallest specimen. Then let us know by sending us a comment below or post a picture by joining our Friends of ChicagoNatureNOW! Facebook group.
Rough Blazing Star
Some rough blazing star are still in bloom, mainly at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve. But peak bloom has passed. This is Pembroke Savanna when the flower at its most beautiful. The monarch you see is feeding before it takes its long trek to central Mexico. You can also find this dramatic end-of-summer plant flowering in large numbers at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, and to some extent at Theodore Stone Preserve.*
Bottle Gentian
Blue bottle gentians survive under the shadow of the dense late-summer prairie, where plants, like this sawtooth sunflower, can tower twelve feet into the air.*
Bottle gentian (or closed gentian) is fully dependent on bumblebees for its survival. The petals of this unusual flower are effectively closed to other insects, but the strong bumblebee is able to muscle its way in through the tip. Late in the season, when fewer plants are blooming, bottle gentian relies on the slim pickings for pollination, hoping bumblebees won’t mind the extra effort.*
When I first set eyes upon these fading blooms of bottle gentian, I was taken aback, struck by an arrow through my heart. Instantly, I fell in love with the prettiest flowers I had ever seen. Maybe I was just having one of those days, but I was close to tears.*
Fringed Gentian
Gorgeous fringed gentians bloom in September. However, the flowers are diurnal, meaning that the the blooms only open up with the sun and are closed at night and, sometimes, on cloudy days. You can find them at preserves like Bluff Spring Fen, Chiwaukee Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, and Lake in the Hills Fen.*
The Tall Grasses
The towering height of big bluestem grass gives true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
In the dolomite prairie at Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins, Illinois, the rough blazing star has faded, but the feathery plumes of dew-drenched Indian grass remain.*
Wolf Road Prairie
In one of the last dramatic displays of the summer season at Wolf Road Prairie, towering sawtooth sunflower blooms in endless fields of gold.*
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Rough blazing star and western sunflower find protection from the elements inside the swale of the sand prairie at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.*
Somme Prairie Grove
Obedient plant can be found at many local preserves, like here at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, and more. Use your finger to pivot the flower on the stem, and it will obediently remain in place. Hence the name. Grow it in your garden, though, and it has a habit of spreading and not staying put.*
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.*
Pembroke Savanna
Field goldenrod and rough blazing star bring an air of autumn to the sand savanna at Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park, Illinois.*
Lake in the Hills Fen
At this time of year, tall goldenrod and purple rough blazing star contribute to an explosion of color at Lake in the Hills Fen.
Rough blazing star and Indiana grass dominate the top of this kame at Lake in the Hill Fen.*
Ferns & Canyon Tours
Royal ferns in the light fog of the savanna at Hoosier Prairie in Schererville, Indiana.*
In the Cowles Bog area, you’ll find many species of fern. Here, a forest of royal ferns thrives in a wetland that has formed at the base of a high dune.*
Lush ferns line the walls of Sagawau Canyon in Lemont, Illinois. But you can only see it if you sign up for their upcoming canyon tours. Register soon. They fill up quickly.*
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
