Douglas Sherman
Staff
Springtime in a prairie is wonderful especially after a burn that regenerates this great ecosystem. At this time of year you usually don't get a wash of color over the prairie like you do in the summer and fall but rather patches of color.
The first prairie plant to emerge in the spring is the Pasque Flower. It is such a beautiful flower you just can't pasque it up (that was for Monika.) The fuzz in its petals and leaves is amazing.
Another pretty little flower is the Wood Sorel. It usually is purple but can also be pink or white.
Birds Foot Violet is also exquisitely colored and is my favorite of all of the wild violets. Coupled with it in this image is Hoary Puccoon. The Birds Foot Violet get its name from the shape of its leaves which terminate in three lobes like the foot of a bird
Wood Betony, Horsetail Rushes and Shooting Stars.
Morel Mushroom and Yellow Star Flower. That's right, Morels do occur in prairies. I once found over one-hundred of them in an area where an old Cottonwood tree had fallen and decayed. BTW, that one was yummy in my scrambled eggs when I got home.
One of the prettiest flowers in a prairie are Small White Lady's-slippers. These plants are quite rare.
Marsh Marigolds can be found in wet areas of tallgrass prairies.
The first prairie plant to emerge in the spring is the Pasque Flower. It is such a beautiful flower you just can't pasque it up (that was for Monika.) The fuzz in its petals and leaves is amazing.
Another pretty little flower is the Wood Sorel. It usually is purple but can also be pink or white.
Birds Foot Violet is also exquisitely colored and is my favorite of all of the wild violets. Coupled with it in this image is Hoary Puccoon. The Birds Foot Violet get its name from the shape of its leaves which terminate in three lobes like the foot of a bird
Wood Betony, Horsetail Rushes and Shooting Stars.
Morel Mushroom and Yellow Star Flower. That's right, Morels do occur in prairies. I once found over one-hundred of them in an area where an old Cottonwood tree had fallen and decayed. BTW, that one was yummy in my scrambled eggs when I got home.
One of the prettiest flowers in a prairie are Small White Lady's-slippers. These plants are quite rare.
Marsh Marigolds can be found in wet areas of tallgrass prairies.
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