One of the showier prairie plants is now in flower: Canada trefoil (Desmodium canadense).Originally, we had a small population of this species along County Highway F, and seeds collected there,…

Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) is a "remarkable species, unlike any other in our area" (Cochrane and Iltis). A quick glance would not suggest that this plant is a member of…

One of the tiny plants found in oak woodlands and savannas is Phryma leptostachya, or lopseed. If you look at the seeds, you can see where the common name comes…

Lead plant (Amorpha canescens) is now in full bloom. At Pleasant Valley Conservancy we have remnant populations at four separate sites, two prairie and two savanna. The photo here is…

Canada milk vetch (Astragalus canadensis) is a widely planted prairie/savanna species that has an interesting spreading growth form. It grows well in the Pleasant Valley Conservancy planted prairies, but even…

Kalm's brome (Bromus kalmii) is one of the handsome early-flowering grasses. According to Cochrane and Iltis, it is Wisconsin's most common native brome. Although widespread on prairies, it is not…

We have three species of Desmodium at Pleasant Valley Conservancy, illinoiense, canadense, and glutinosum. They are all starting to flower, but glutinosum (pointed tick trefoil) is first and is now…

One of the showy prairie/savanna species is New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americana), which is in full flower now. This species is a member of the buckthorn family, and when not…

Compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) is one of the classic tall grass prairie species. At one time widespread, due to the cow and the plow it has been virtually extirpated from…

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), often called butterflyweed, is one of those unbelievably handsome plants that inhabits dry prairies. The population at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie is outstanding, and from my…