Chicago Nature Now! Alert
May 3, 2017
“Chicago nature info and news to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature, right now!
MUCH LIKE LAST WEEK, THE SPRING WOODLANDS ARE LUSH AND AT PEAK FLOWERING! This report is a repeat of last week’s, but with a couple additions. The big rains have made the woodlands even greener, if that’s even possible! This is a wonderful time to experience springtime in Chicago nature.
I visited Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, and wood betony (a.k.a., lousewort) is blooming throughout the savanna (the open area that looks like a prairie, but is really an oak savanna). At Pembroke Savanna, a rare sand savanna located in Hopkins Park, you’ll find a wonderful display of birdfoot violet as you hike the mowed, grassy loop. Usually, the violets are mixed in white sand phlox, but there was only a few plants that I saw. Possibly, I was a little early.
Two weeks ago week, the displays of Virginia bluebells were jaw-dropping, the star of the spring season. Now, the bluebells are still fading. However, many new actors are taking the stage and joining the spring celebration. The new, flamboyant star on the scene is the white, large-flowered trillium. It can be found in large amounts at Messenger Woods and along the Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. (I haven’t scouted the latter location. If you’d like to become an official ChicagoNatureNOW! scout and help other Chicagoans fall in love with local nature, click here to learn more.) Large-flowered trillium may also be found in fine performance at preserves not featured here, Captain Daniel Wright Woods and Harms Woods.
The fresh, green backdrop of the woodlands is breathtaking, from foliage that conceal your feet to a leafy canopy of lace above your head. The jade understory is covered with wide umbrellas of mayapple, hearts of wild ginger, stars of geranium, spears of wild leek, and fanning leaves of skunk cabbage. Sprinkled amongst the greenery, you may find sparkling displays of false rue anemone and spring beauty. Woodland phlox and wild geranium provide beautiful purple and pink additions to spring’s color scheme. And red trillium adds a touch of burgundy.
SCOUTING NEEDS through Thursday, May 11:
- Woodlands listed below.
- Wolf Road Prairie: Wild Hyacinth in oak savanna located at main kiosk on 31st Street
- Raccoon Grove: Starry False Solomon’s Seal
If you can scout the preserves, please take several quick pictures of the scene to give an idea of the experience along with some closer shots of the flowers with their leaves.
Here are the best preserves for lush and colorful displays of springtime flowers:
O’Hara Woods Preserve in Romeoville: No matter where you walk, you’ll find bluebells. My favorite place is along the stream in the southern part of the preserve. They go on as far as you can see. Mayapples, ginger, trout lily, leek, and many other flowers abound here.
Pilcher Park in Joliet: You’ll find an endless display of bluebells along the creek, as well as many other flowers. Begin your hike at the nature center and you’ll be surround by spring ephemerals throughout your walk. Look for the large, fanning leaves of skunk cabbage in the muddy parts of the preserve. They’re hard to miss.
Messenger Woods in Homer Glen: Parking at the far end of the parking lot. Then walk the grassy path, cross the bridge, and immediately turn left onto an “unofficial official” trail along the creek’s edge. Follow the unmaintained path into the woods to find endless vistas of bluebells and grand displays of large-flowered trillium. This preserve provides you with the feeling of spring along with a fresh green carpet of foliage and ephemerals throughout.
Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee: In addition to fading patches of bluebells, this preserve is currently brimming with many types of flowers: wild geranium, woodland phlox, trout lily, wild leek, ginger, and mayapple. Check under the leaves of the latter two to find their flowers. There are also lots of red trillium.
Black Partridge Woods in Lemont: This intimate preserve will steal your heart. Its bubbling, sparkling stream is the most beautiful in the region and the bluffs add another dimension to the fairy-tale feel. This place is a miracle. You’ll find many spring flowers, including woodland phlox, wild geranium, false rue anemone, skunk cabbage, wild leek, mayapple, wild ginger, Solomon’s seal, and shooting star.
If you can’t make it to my feature preserves, try McKinley Woods/Fredericks Grove in Channahon, Johnson’s Mound in Elburn, Daniel Wright Woods in Mettawa, and Harms Woods in Glenview. You’re bound to find some good stuff.
PHOTO SECTION
The Sublime Virginia Bluebell (but now fading away)
Virginia Bluebells at O’Hara Woods
At O’Hara Woods in Romeoville, Illinois, the April sun rises to warm the springtime woodland brimming with Virginia bluebells. Right now, they flowers are dropping at all preserves.*
Virginia Bluebells at Messenger Woods
April at Messenger Woods in Lockport features a breathtaking display of Virginia bluebells. The flowers are currently fading.*
Virginia Bluebells at Raccoon Grove
In April, Virginia bluebells bloom in profusion along the creek at Raccoon Grove in Monee, Illinois.*
Virginia Bluebells at Pilcher Park
Come to Pilcher Park for the dramatic performance starring Virginia bluebells.*
Skunk Cabbage
It’s springtime at Pilcher Park 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.*
Large-flowered Trillium Are Already Blooming
White trillium carpet the woodland floor at Messenger Woods in Homer Glen, Illinois.*
At Heron Rookery Trail in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, I SUSPECT that the large-flowered white trillium is in bloom. I haven’t scouted this location, this year. If you’d like to volunteer to be an 0fficial scout to help other Chicagoans fall in love with local nature, click here for information.*
Mayapple & More
In woodlands across northeastern Illinois, like here at Black Partridge Woods in Lemont, Illinois, April showers bring out the umbrellas in the form of mayapples. And the white flowers of false rue anemone sparkle like raindrops.*
Take a look underneath the fanning mayapple leaf, and you may find a hidden waxy, white bloom. You may also discover a burgundy flower hiding beneath the heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger.*
Woodland Phlox
Woodland phlox covers the bluffs at Black Partridge Woods. They can also be found at the other featured woodlands.*
Wild Geranium
You can find wild geranium at all featured woodlands. Here, at Black Partridge Woods, the pink blooms float above its star-shaped foliage.*
At Raccoon Grove, as evening nears in this beautiful spring woodland, the final streaks of sunlight penetrate the emerald canopy. The shining rays highlight the broad leaves of false Solomon’s seal and animate the soft, pink blooms of wild geranium, making all that is illuminated stand apart from the surrounding foliage.*
Red Trillium
Red trillium and setting sun.*
Birdfoot Violet at Pembroke Savanna
Pembroke Savanna is home to blooms of white sand phlox and rare bird-foot violet. The leaf in the foreground is from the black oak trees that dominate this black oak savanna.”
* 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
