Chicago Nature NOW! Alert
July 29, 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:
No matter how much I write or photograph, it’s difficult to fully convey the overwhelming experience of being immersed in the breathtaking beauty of a real Chicago-area flower show. So get out there. It doesn’t cost a penny to visit any of our showcase preserves.
Spears Woods is the new frontrunner for floral beauty with blooming in the prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. This preserve also provides great trails far away from traffic, varied habitats, and dramatic vistas. And while you’re there, 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.
NOTE: If you visit early in the morning, you may wish to wear rain gear because you could end up soaked to the skin from the dew.
Wolf Road Prairie has grown in beauty over the last week, as flowering has also moved into the woodland. The experience should blow you away. In the prairie, the purple spikes of prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star (our Plant of the Week) add beautifully to the stunning array of gold and white blooms, including the kooky rattlesnake master with its ivory Tinker Toy molecular shaped flower heads.
Somme Prairie Grove is still looking fantastic. Belmont Prairie is a beautiful little dream. Nodding wild onion is blooming across the vast grassland of Lockport Prairie. 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 of 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.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs (7/27+): Wow! This preserve is wonderful. 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 and ironweed, 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 and flowering spurge at your belly button, 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 nearing peak. 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.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester (7/27+): The flowering is tremendous in the southmost portion of prairie. The shimmering and exploding whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and fading 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 dramatic purple torches of prairie blazing star and a pink haze of showy tick trefoil. White flowering spurge and occasional splashes of mountain mint add additional sparkle. In the woodland, you’ll find whimsical sprays of bottlebrush grass, pink plumes of sweet Joe-Pye weed, and an exciting performance by woodland sunflower. Note: Theodore Stone Preserve and Spears Woods are not too far away.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/13.) : I know. This is one of the finest preserves in the region, yet we don’t have enough people to scout it for you. Please help us scout or donate. From what we saw two weeks ago, I predict that you’ll have a wonderful experience. You should find purple prairie clover and white filigrees of mountain mint. Early goldenrod should be quite prominent alongside wild quinine, butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, rattlesnake master, wild bergamot, prairie dock, and prairie dropseed. I love the towering forests of compass plant. Along the path, you’ll find several more plants in bloom: yellow coneflower, ironweed, 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 the start of blue American bellflower and woodland sunflower.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin (7/27+): Many species are now aflower across the preserve, which is why it’s near the top of this week’s “Go!” list. The best show is being performed by marsh blazing star in the center of the the main wetland known as a fen. Begin your hike at the main trailhead that winds you under the trees and along the kames of the oak savanna, around the sunny prairie, and through the fen. Enter the oak savanna from the kiosk to find beautiful patches of sweet Joe-Pye weed and American bellflower, along with pale Indian plantain, starry campion, wild bergamot, yellow coneflower, and whimsical bottlebrush grass. At the troll bridge, where friendly trolls have helped to restore the adjacent wetland habitat, look to your right for a grand expanse of spotted Joe-Pye weed. Continuing under the protection of oaks, take the narrow trail on your left to the top of the large kame. On your way up, look for a whimsical display of sprawling and whimsical bottlebrush grass. Once at the gravelly peak, you’ll experience a unique view of the preserve and newly blooming cylindrical blazing star, fading purple prairie clover, wild quinine, and hoary vervain. Go back down same way you entered, turn left on the main trail, and then make a right as you reach the end of the kame. Once under the sun, you’ll find marsh blazing star, blue vervain, lots of wild bergamot, creamy tuberous Indian plantain, pearly flowering spurge, wild quinine, and rattlesnake master, plus flowering big bluestem, beautiful flourishes of Canada wild rye, and a “forest” of compass plant in the southwest corner. As the trail veers left to the east, you’ll again pass through stands of blooming big bluestem and into a gravelly area with hoary vervain, named for its soft hairy leaves, and some remaining blooms of purple prairie clover. Ahead to your right is what we call the “transplant kame.” We call it that because Healy Road Prairie, located six miles away, was being mined for its gravel, and a community of hundreds of volunteers dug it up and transplanted it here. Years before, the transplant kame was also mined to the ground, but it was reconstructed to become the new home of Healy Road Prairie. Blossoming on the kame, you’ll find many blooms of compass plant, wild quinine, and yellow coneflower. Make a left at the end of the kame to descend into the bowl of the fen. Move slowly and watch your step as you pass through dense willows (which desperately need trimming). Be careful not to trip on the narrow boardwalk that immediately awaits you after the willows! Cross the boardwalk to find mountain mint, lance-leaved loosestrife, a nice patch of purple marsh blazing star, black-eyed Susan, early goldenrod, Illinois tick trefoil, spotted Joe-Pye weed, and shrubby cinquefoil. After you cross the second boardwalk, stay straight (don’t veer left), as the trail ducks under a low tree so that you can scale up the side of the transplant kame where cylindrical blazing star and a little purple prairie clover awaits you. As the trails steers left and down, you’ll see some of the same species as before, with especially nice stands of American bellflower. Continue left across the creek and to the left of the big kame that winds right and takes you back to the trailhead.
NOTE: If you visit early in the morning, wear rain gear or you’ll end up soaked to the skin from dew.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates (7/28=): The best blooming is taking place outside the fence of the official Illinois Nature Preserve, where you’ll experience a vast amount of prairie blazing star and whimsical rattlesnake master. You’ll also see golden blooms of early goldenrod , yellow coneflower, and compass plant along with lavender wild bergamot. The rare hill prairie inside the fence offers some of the same flowers, but fewer in number and less variety. However, you will see new pink blooms of cylindrical blazing star that are beginning to replace the fading purples of prairie clover. NOTE: Consider visiting Bluff Spring Fen while you’re here. It’s roughly in the neighborhood.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove (7/27+): This remnant prairie is glorious and aglow with tones of mostly yellow and white, with sparkles of purple and orange. The most prominent show is being staged by golden-flowered compass plant that looms above the prairie. Prairie blazing star and wild bergamot are responsible for the purplish tones. The golds come from yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, rosinweed, and towering compass plant. Rattlesnake master, wild quinine, mountain mint, and flowering spurge account for the whites. And long the way, you’ll also experience beautiful orange highlights of butterfly weed.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins (7/27+): The dramatic large expanse of yellow coneflower is the star of the show. But there are other flowers to be experienced, as well, including wild bergamot, early goldenrod, rosinweed, prairie blazing star, and compass plant. And you’ll also find lots of rattlesnake master and wild quinine along with the occasional mountain mint. 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.
Lockport Prairie in Lockport (7/27=): The bloom of nodding wild onion is main reason that this prairie is on our list, and it’s putting on a nice show right now amidst a jade haze of big bluestem grass. Along your walk along the out-and-back trail that, for me, ends soon after the trees begin, you’ll find the wonderfully fragrant whorled milkweed and a sprinkling of blue vervain, hoary vervain, pale-spiked lobelia, and spotted Joe-Pye weed amidst the waves of grasses that dominate this dolomite prairie.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham (7/27+): 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, rattlesnake master, and purple marsh blazing star. The latter is joined by other purplish plants: lavender wild bergamot, mauve common milkweed, pink marsh phlox, and the deep pinks of swamp milkweed and spotted Joe-Pye weed. There are the whites of flowering spurge and Culver’s root alongside golden black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, rosinweed, and nice amounts of early goldenrod. 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 (Unscouted. Last scouted on 7/19+.): Last week, 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): Help us scout this jewel of a preserve. You’ll probably find the floating white blooms of flowering spurge across the preserve, remaining blooms of butterfly weed, and some marsh phlox.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: MARSH & PRAIRIE BLAZING STAR
In late July and early August, the spectacular purple blooms of marsh blazing star and prairie blazing star turns the 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.
PHOTO SECTION
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.*
The Blazing Stars of Prairie, Marsh, and Cylindrical
The midsummer prairie at Spears Woods often explodes with prairie blazing star and myriad other species. Here, early goldenrod joins the party.*
At Gensburg-Markham Prairie can be famous for its late July fanfare, when the fields ignite with white sparks of flowering spurge and purple torches of marsh blazing star. This year, the show isn’t as dramatic, but still nice.*
This is the main seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin. In July, marsh blazing star blooms in the high ground surrounding it.*
Cylindrical blazing star blooms in the sand savanna, here at Indiana Dunes National Park, and at other preserves that include Bluff Spring Fen and Shoe Factory Road Prairie.*
Cylindrical blazing star blooms covers the northeast kame at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
Nodding Wild Onion
Nodding wild onion blooms across the vast prairie at Lockport Prairie in Lockport and in lesser amounts at many prairies on our list.*
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.*
The prairie at Spears Woods teems with midsummer plant life: rattlesnake master, prairie blazing star, ironweed, early goldenrod, and sawtooth sunflower.*
American Bellflower
The beautiful blue American bellflower blooms alongside sweet Joe-Pye weed and woodland sunflower, here at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook and other local woodlands.*
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.*
Flowering Spurge
The floating white blooms of flowering spurge erupts across the sand savanna at Pembroke Savanna Nature Preserve in Hopkins Park, Illinois.*
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 at Peak Bloom
“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.*
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.*
Canada Wild Rye
In the morning, this plume of Canada wild rye and all the plants of the prairie become drenched in morning dew. Wear your rain gear!
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
