Chicago Nature NOW! Alert
July 22, 2021
“Weekly Wildflower Reports Featuring
Chicago’s Best Outdoor Getaways & Nature Trips”
Chicago’s Best Weekend Walks & Outdoor Getaways!
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WILDFLOWER HIGHLIGHTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INTO CHICAGO’S WOODLANDS:
The midsummer flower shows are in full swing, and boy is it exciting! There is so much to see (and smell).
Wolf Road Prairie tops this week’s list due to its dramatic variety of flowers, colors, and textures. It’ll blow you away. For example, the show of rattlesnake master (our Plant of the Week) is both spectacular and kooky with its Tinker Toy molecular shaped flower heads. The prairie at Spears Woods comes in a close second, while also providing you with a better hike away from the traffic, varied habitats, and wonderful vistas. And while you’re there, you can catch a glimpse of the aquatic American lotus in Hogwash Slough. 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 Photo Section below for images of American lotus (and where to find it) along with the many flowers featured in this report.
Somme Prairie Grove is still looking fantastic. Belmont Prairie is a beautiful little dream. And the prairie outside the fence of Shoe Factory Road Prairie is also blooming strong with many different species to experience.
Here is my most profound recommendation for enjoying your time in nature. If the preserve allows, arrive before first light. A morning rendezvous with nature is a magical experience that vastly transcends what’s possible at other times of day. In the early bright, the world expands beyond the usual three dimensions, as the transformation from darkness into light excites more than just the visual sense. As night gives birth to dawn, and the landscape gently turns from azure to gold, the soft and changing light is a spectacle for the eyes. A moist fog or a splash of crisp dew against your skin affirms your existence. The still atmosphere concentrates the fragrances floating in the air and provides a tranquil stage for birds to project their crystal melodies. In the morning, you’ll find all this, along with the promise of a new day.
If you’re looking for longer walks, try our larger preserves: Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Lake in the Hills Fen, Spears Woods, and Somme Prairie Grove.
WHERE TO GO THIS WEEKEND FOR A SPRING WILDFLOWER GETAWAY 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 on the coming weekend: “+” is Probably Better; “-” is Probably Less Dramatic; “=” is Probably the Same. Notice the word “probably.”
THIS WEEK’S BEST (“GO!”):
The order of the preserves below is based on the quality of the wildflower experience, starting out with the best.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester (7/21+): The flowering is tremendous in the southmost portion of prairie. The shimmering and exploding whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root are joined by an array of colors ranging from yellow to lavender to purple. It’s a glorious sight. The yellow blossoms come from rosinweed, early goldenrod, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, plus forests of compass plant and newly flowering prairie dock. Wild bergamot provides flashes of lavender alongside purple stalks of prairie blazing star and a pink haze of showy tick trefoil. And the occasional white mountain mint and flowering spurge add some additional sparkle. In the woodland, you’ll find whimsical sprays of bottlebrush grass, pink plumes of sweet Joe-Pye weed, and the start of woodland sunflower. Note: Theodore Stone Preserve and Spears Woods are not too far away.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs (7/20+): Wow! This preserve is cooking, and it’s just getting started. The flashiest shows are taking place in the prairies where expanses of flowers flow across the landscape. Dense colonies of alabaster wild quinine and the ivory Tinker Toys of rattlesnake master are beautifully breathtaking on their own. But you may need to catch your breath when they blend with purple prairie blazing star, drooping heads of early goldenrod, lavender balls of wild bergamot, and white spikes of Culver’s root. Again, “Wow!” Along your way, you’ll experience the golden blooms at all levels: black-eyed Susan near your feet, rosinweed at your waist, and the large sunflowers of compass plant above your head. Notice the pink filigree of showy tick trefoil that can look like a purple mist mingling amongst the other flowers. And turkey-footed heads of big bluestem grass are beginning to flower. If you stand at a high spot, scan the prairie below for the orange Silly String of parasitic field dodder draped over and around the plants that it’s feeding on. The woodland is coming alive as the fluffy mauve heads of sweet Joe-Pye weed and golden rays of woodland sunflower are beginning to flower. And the magnificent aquatic American lotus flower is blooming at the north end of Hogwash Slough. 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. Note: Theodore Stone Preserve and Wolf Road Prairie is not too far away.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/13.) : From what we saw last week, the number and variety of flowers has only increased. I predict that it remains a must-see event. The knobs located under the open skies to the north are home to scenes filled with an amalgam of color, texture, joy, inspiration, and life. Passionate purples and pinks mix with sparking whites and startling explosions of orange. Glorious golds begin at your feet and rise toward the clouds. And all this upon a flowing canvas shaped by emerald hearts, mops and bottlebrushes. You’ll find purple prairie clover and fading leadplant, fabulous filigrees of mountain mint, early goldenrod, wild quinine, butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, compass plant, rattlesnake master, wild bergamot, prairie dock, and prairie dropseed. Blooms of purple prairie clover have now spread to put on vibrant shows in other parts of the savanna. And on your way to the knobs, you’ll find these same flowers, like towering forests of compass plant, plus several more: yellow coneflower, swamp milkweed, Culver’s root, and flowering spurge. Also take this time to appreciate the beautiful textures from the foliage of sedges, grasses, and bloomers-to-be, including the floppy hairdos of prairie dropseed, heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock, desert-looking rattlesnake master, and fern-looking leadplant. Under the trees, you’ll find the perfectly named bottlebrush grass, the pink plumes sweet Joe-Pye weed, and possibly the start of blue American bellflower.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove (7/21+): This remnant prairie is glorious and aglow with many colors. Peering across the prairie, you’ll see a story of white, gold, and lavender. Wild bergamot is responsible for the lavenders. The golds come from yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, hairy sunflower, rosinweed, and towering compass plant. Rattlesnake master, and wild quinine provide the majority of the white. Along the way, you’ll also experience beautiful orange highlights of butterfly weed, inconspicuous yellows of tall agrimony, the occasional mountain mint, and scurfy pea‘s beautiful floating filigree of foliage.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates (7/18=): The best blooming is taking place outside the fence of the official Illinois Nature Preserve, where you’ll experience a vast amount of wild quinine, whimsical rattlesnake master, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, and daisy fleabane, along with compass plant, prairie blazing star, mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, and purple prairie clover. The rare hill prairie inside the fence offers some of the same flowers, but fewer in number and less variety. NOTE: Consider visiting Bluff Spring Fen while you’re here. It’s roughly in the neighborhood.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/14+): I predict that the flowering will be a better than last week with large expanses of yellow coneflower and wild bergamot alongside many more blooms of early goldenrod, rosinweed, prairie blazing star, and compass plant. You should still find black-eyed Susan,, mountain mint, and lots of wild quinine. Look for the deep pinks of swamp milkweed in the low or wet areas. Note: Spears Woods and Wolf Road Prairie are not too far away.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham (7/18+): First of all, the preserve is NOT LOCKED. It only looks that way. The chain is just draped over the top of the gate. Just move the chain and enter. Once inside, I suggest walking all of the trails because of how the prairie and flowers vary along the way. The most prominent flowers are wild quinine and rattlesnake master with a great show of purple marsh blazing star on the way. There’s also some Culver’s root, golden black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, and rosinweed, lavender wild bergamot, mauve common milkweed, and pink marsh phlox. In the water, look for the deep pinks of swamp milkweed and the gorgeous purple spikes of pickerel weed. And don’t forget to appreciate the oceans of grasses that wave in the warm summer winds.
NOTE: Under the summer sun, this prairie can feel hot and bright. For a more enjoyable time, visit in the morning or late-afternoon.
GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills (7/19+): This preserve offers a beautiful expansive view that is best enjoyed at edges of daylight, when it’s not hot and sunny. Enjoy an array of flowers that flow along the vast rolling landscape of the prairie and fen, including the lavenders of wild bergamot, white and purple prairie clover, golden black-eyed Susan and yellow coneflower, pale purple coneflower, Culver’s root, blue vervain, spotted Joe-Pye weed, and mauve common milkweed that smells like a bunch of over-perfumed old ladies on Bingo night. And don’t forget to look for patches of the beautiful purple marsh blazing star.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/12.): The preserve has its share of flowers, but not nearly as many as the big shows further south. However, there were lots of monarch butterflies! The brilliant orange blossoms of butterfly weed are the highlight of the black oak savanna while flowering spurge with its floating white sprays is the star of the sand prairie. Along the way, you should see black-eyed Susan, common milkweed, purple prairie clover, shrubby cinquefoil, and the occasional Cleland’s evening primrose.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/13.): We didn’t scout it, so we’re not rating it a “Go.” But it should be pretty good and the preserve is only ten minutes from Shoe Factory Road Prairie, which has “GO” status. Last week, we reported the performance around the transplant kame located east along the southern border. The show featured many flowers: clans of tall and handsome compass plant, cliques of dainty yellow coneflower and aloof vervain, clubs of quinine, and bashes of bergamot. But the best are the celebrations of prairie clover, where bees become giddy with excitement. However, I predict that the clover have mostly faded by now. However, the purple spikes of marsh blazing star should be looking very nice along with the deep pinks of spotted Joe-Pye weed in the wetter spots.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: RATTLESNAKE MASTER
Rattlesnake master is a whimsical Chicago prairie flower with heads that resemble Tinker Toys, or molecular structures, plants you might find in Arizona or Texas. The plant gets its name because 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.*
PHOTO SECTION
Rattlesnake Master
The prairie at Spears Woods teems with midsummer plant life: rattlesnake master, prairie blazing star, ironweed, early goldenrod, and sawtooth sunflower.*
Yellow Coneflower
Yellow coneflower (aka, gray-headed coneflower) is a pioneer species of the prairie. It colonizes disturbed or degraded habitats until conditions improve, when it allows other plants to move in, leading to a more stable and biodiverse ecosystem. The flowers perch atop slender stems that rise to four feet tall. At that height, it’s easy to take in the redolent licorice scented brown cones. Yellow coneflowers bloom throughout the region’s prairies including here in the mesic prairie in the western half of Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins.*
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough & Hogwash Slough
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs fills with American Lotus. You can also see it from a distance at Hogwash Slough in Spears Woods.*
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs teems 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.
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed.*
Purple Prairie Clover and its 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 honey bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin. You can also find an abundance at Somme Prairie Grove and Shoe Factory Road Prairie, and in fewer numbers at Wolf Road Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, and Illinois Beach Nature Preserve.*
As you can see here, a show of purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve can be dramatic. But not this year. Instead, head over to Somme Prairie Grove for a glorious display.*
Butterfly Weed is Ending
Great spangled fritillary butterflies (species Speyeria cybele) and butterfly weed in the prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs.*
Here at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, the bright orange flowers of butterfly weed makes a colorful statement. You can find this plant at several high-quality preserves, including Bluff Spring Fen, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, and Somme Prairie Grove.*
Butterfly weed blooms across the oak savanna at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve. You can also find it at many other preserves including, Somme Prairie Grove, Belmont Prairie, and Bluff Spring Fen.*
Wolf Road Prairie: A State of Glorious Chaos
This image is fairly representative of what you’ll see, right now, at Wolf Road Prairie: wild bergamot, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, rosinweed, Culver’s root, and prairie blazing star, and early goldenrod.*
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.*
On this mysterious summer morning at Wolf Road Prairie, white spikes of Culver’s root extend into the outer reaches and, like a dream, disappear into the fog.*
Spears Woods is Exploding
Here in late July at Spears Woods, wildflowers float above the prairie like musical notes in a symphony of color and texture: rattlesnake master, prairie blazing star, and early goldenrod *
At Spears Woods in Willow Springs, the July prairie erupts with an array of wildflowers like wild quinine, prairie blazing star, and early goldenrod.*
Somme Prairie Grove is Overflowing with Beauty and Biodiversity
On Wednesday, July 14, the many flowers of the oak savanna at Somme Prairie Grove sparkled brilliantly in the last light of day.*
Here at Somme Prairie Grove we see the large, deeply lobed leaf of compass plant among a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Wild Quinine Can Be Found in Many Prairies
This is a common scene at Elgin’s Bluff Spring Fen. Here in the golden light of morning, wild quinine, prairie coreopsis, and leadplant overlook the foggy fen.*
Compass Plant
The golden flowers of compass plant begin to bloom atop a stalk that reaches for the sky. They’re an iconic species that can be found in most of our mesic prairies. *
Landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville.*
Culver’s Root
Culver’s root glows in the morning light at Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester.*
Mountain Mint
Summer storm clouds brew at Kickapoo Prairie where mountain mint, rattlesnake master, Indian grass, and compass plant glow in the sun.*
Wild Bergamot & Yellow Coneflower are Reaching Peak
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Both 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 see and smell these plants at most prairies, including here at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin.*
Evening Primrose
Cleland’s evening primrose blooms in the purple morning light along the sandy Lake Michigan shore at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.*
Big Bluestem Grass
The towering height of big bluestem grass gives true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.” It can be found at every black soil prairie on our list.*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Marram Grass
Near the Lake Michigan shore at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, amidst marram grass and bearberry, the low light of morning revealed shapes in the sand that chronicled the secrets of time and affirmed the existence of wondrous creatures and invisible forces.*
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.
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—Mike
