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Nachusa Grasslands

The "Wow" Factor

7/11/2016

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Nachusa has an incredibly diverse plant population which can be appreciated from very early spring to late fall.  Some of these plants are spectacular for a variety of reasons: some are rare, some are not common to Nachusa, and some call attention when they blanket the landscape.
Picture


​Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) blooms in the woodlands in early spring.  Its white blossoms provide a beautiful contrast to the dry, brown leaves left on the forest floor from the previous fall.
         

Picture
                   


​Birdsfoot Violet (Viola pedata lineariloba) is a rather rare plant, preferring dry, sandy soils.  It blooms in spring and occurs in several places at Nachusa. 

Picture
Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia) have an unusual structure and delicate beauty, which can be observed in spring throughout the grasslands.
Picture








​Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthea leucophaea) is a truly rare plant, listed as endangered.  They like moist areas and bloom in early summer in only a few spots at Nachusa.

Picture






​Fringed Gentian (Gentiana procera) also likes wet, moist areas. It is a late summer bloomer and with its deep blue/purple color it is always a delightful surprise when found.

Picture
Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra) is rare at Nachusa, occurring in only a few places.  It is one of the most spectacular plants blooming in summer if you're lucky enough to discover them.
Picture
Rough Blazing Star
Picture
Foxglove Beard Tongue
Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) and Foxglove Beard Tongue (Penstemon digitalis) are common plants at the grasslands.  They are quite spectacular when seen in mass and definitely have the "wow" factor.

Today's blog was created by Charles Larry, a Nachusa photographer and volunteer.  To see more of his images go to:  charleslarryphotography.zenfolio.com
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    Blog Coordinator

    Dee Hudson
    I am a nature photographer, a freelance graphic designer, and steward at Nachusa's Thelma Carpenter Prairie. I have taken photos for Nachusa since 2012.

    Editor

    James Higby
    I have been a high school French teacher, registered piano technician, and librarian. In retirement I am a volunteer historian at Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society. 

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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission and Leadership
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2022
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Teacher Resources
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Autumn on the Prairie
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Stewardship Teams
    • Workday Email List
    • Steward Login
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Stewards and Staff
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Weekly Top Picks
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Links & Resources
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2023
      • Science Grants 2022
      • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2020
      • Science Grants 2019
      • Science Grants 2018
      • Science Grants 2017
      • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2015
      • Science Grants 2014
      • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Science Symposium 2022
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Testimonials >
      • Dr. Holly Jones
      • Dr. Nick Barber
      • Kimberly Elsenbroek
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • 30th Anniversary Memories
    • Websites of Interest
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
      • Visitor Photos
    • Submit Your Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs