Chicago Nature Now! Alert
April 13, 2017
“Chicago nature info and news to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Welcome to the first official post of the 2017 season
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature, right now!
Finally, it’s starting to look like spring with innumerable species of wildflowers flowing across the floors of several area woodlands.
At this moment, most of the springtime flowers are blooming white (or a light pink), like cut-leaved toothwort, false rue anemone, spring beauty, spring cress, Dutchman’s breeches, and bloodroot. Bright green leaves are also playing a part in turning winter into spring. Umbrella-like leaves of mayapple are just coming up, along with spears of wild leek, and the sprawling leaves of skunk cabbage that are getting bigger every day. And keep your eyes open for Virginia bluebells. They also green up the preserves but, in about a week, they’ll turn wet woodlands into seas of blue and pink. It is, by far, the most dramatic blooming event of the spring season. If you like yellow flowers, marsh marigolds are blooming at Pilcher Park and at McClaughry Springs Woods in Palos Park. From the parking lot, look across the stream.
Here’s a list of the best preserves to visit for this first important blooming event of the year:
O’Hara Woods Preserve in Romeoville used to be called Dynamite Woods because the site was used to store explosives during World War II. You can still see the crumbling bunkers, but they are being overgrown by woodland plants. But, right now, the ground is exploding with white flowers, like sparklers across the woodland floor. Walk towards the stream at the back of the preserve and you’ll find Dutchman’s breeches that look like puffy white overalls, spring beauties, and, most dramatically, flowing seas of toothwort. You’ll also
Pilcher Park has the best trails in the current alert. Begin your hike at the nature center and you’ll be surround by spring ephemerals throughout your walk. My very favorite flower-of-the-moment is marsh marigold. Look for its yellow blooms in the low, muddy areas of the site. And, when you find a wet and muddy spot, also look for the cabbage foliage of skunk cabbage. It’s hard to miss. This preserve is also one of the best places for Virginia bluebells. They like it a little bit wet. Look for them along the creek. The go on forever.
Messenger Woods in Lockport will provide you with the feeling of spring, with a fresh green carpet of foliage and ephemerals throughout. The preserve is also known for its vast expanses of bluebells, but that’s still more than a week away.
Black Partridge Woods in Lemont is a gem, but it’s quite small. False rue anemone, skunk cabbage, wild leek, mayapple, and some Virginia bluebells. There’s also wild ginger, with their small heart-shaped leaves, that are just beginning to fill in the woodland floor.
Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee went unscouted this week, but this preserve is dense with spring wildflowers. You will not be disappointed. If you’d like to volunteer to scout this preserve for us, click here for information.
PHOTO SECTION
Cut-leaved toothwort can be found exploding across our woodlands:
Like firecrackers, cut-leaved toothwort explodes in profusion against a backdrop of mayapples at O’Hara Woods in Romeoville, Illinois. This preserves was previously known as Dynamite Woods because explosives were stored here during World War II. Nowadays, spring is when the preserve explodes with flora.*
Dutchman’s Breeches (or Dutchman’s Britches):
O’Hara Woods has a large number of Dutchman’s Breeches. It is one of my favorite spring flowers because the flower is just so kooky and the leaves are a dream.
Bloodroot:
This is bloodroot. The name comes from the fact that breaking the stem makes the plant bleed red. Please, just take my word for it, and don’t pick the flower to find out.
Pilcher Park’s marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage:
In April, I come to Pilcher Park to play in the mud. Here, skunk cabbage and marsh marigold thrive in a woodland floodplain of inky water and the blackest muck I’ve ever seen.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
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
