Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you well. I am so glad winter is over and everything is looking so alive. I could do without the storms, but I guess it is the season for them. Soon, we’ll have the heat to complain about, although I complain more about the cold.
A friend of mine, and a great photographer, asked me to join him when he hosted a 4-H groups trip to the private prairie. The same friend that invited me to the same private prairie as last May 5. I was happy to say I would go.
When I arrived, the owner of the farm was explaining the prairie to the kids and they seemed very eager to listen and later ask a few questions. I should have taken notes… She gave them a few rules to remember. No picking, no digging, and I forgot what else… Well, I can’t remember because I wasn’t paying attention. I do remember her saying the conservation department said there were over 600 species on her prairie and that the colors change monthly… Afterwards, my friend had a lot of enlarged photos he had taken and explained a few tools he used to enhance his photographs. It was quite interesting and I think we all learned a few things.
Before we went on the adventure, I introduced myself to the owner and was able to speak with her a few minutes. She said I could come anytime I wanted. YAY!!!
It didn’t take long for Walter to jump in and help the kids out. He’s the one without the hat… Of course, the kids all had cameras that were clicking away.
Walter had several reflectors (whatever you call them) of various sizes and shades. Some for enhancing the light and other times giving a little shade.
Here, a couple of boys were picking off petals from the Indian Paintbrush and sampling the nectar. Ummm… Walter showed them that, too. One of the boys was hungry for nectar while the other was more interested in exploring.
So, we are going to do this in alphabetical order because I was too busy taking photos to pay attention to what came first. Actually, in the prairie, it was just a mass of many species altogether. I took several photos of every species I could hear and there, so there was really no order. There were small and large patches of certain species together, but there was always a few others mixed in. Like if you mixed up a bunch of seeds but didn’t get them mixed very well before you scattered them by hand.
Asparagus officinalis (Wild Asparagus) on 6-19-26.
About half way through the exploration, I started walking toward a small wooded area that was around a low spot, likely a spring since there was water. Next to the north end was a nice clump of Asparagus officinalis (Wild Asparagus). Of course, I had a few nibbles. I mentioned it to Walter when I caught up with him, and before he left, I saw him make his way to the spot and have a few nibbles of his own.
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Baptisia leucophaea (Cream Wild Indigo) on 4-19-26, #1089-2.
Baptisia leucophaea (Cream Wild Indigo) is a very familiar sight in the prairie. It grows from one end to the other. Unlike most other species of Baptisia, this one grows in a horizontal fashion. Although Baptisia leucophaea was given that name in 1818, several attempts were made to make it a variety of other species. The original name was resurrected and now the other names are synonyms.
Baptisia leucophaea (Cream Wild Indigo) on 4-19-26, #1089-6.
Baptisia is a member of the pant family Fabaceae (the pea family). The flowers have kind of a thick, waxy texture.
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Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush, Etc.) on 4-19-26, #1089-7.
One of the biggest hits of the prairie is the Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush, Etc.). It adds a red glow throughout the prairie, some grow here and there among the other species, but there are some really large colonies. Common names include Indian Paintbrush, Painted-Cup Paintbrush, Scarlet Indian Paintbrush, and a few others.
Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush, Etc.) on 4-19-26, #1089-8.
This species is a member of the plant family Orobanchaceae which was a new family for me until I visited the prairie last year. Three of the species, including this one, are hemiparasitic meaning they get part of nutrients from the roots of of other species.
Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush, Etc.) on 4-19-26, #1089-9.
The color has polymorphism meaning they can be scarlet or yellow depending on the availability of pollinators. More pollinators means better pollination so the color is scarlet. Less pollination and the color will be yellow. Yellow flowered specimens were formerly Castilleja coccinea f. lutescens which is now a synonym according to Plants of the World Online.
Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush, Etc.) on 4-19-26, #1089-10.
As with Poinsettias, the red color is not from petals but leaf-like bracts. The flowers are inconspicuous with red-tinged sepals. It is the flowers you pull out to get to the nectar not the bracts…
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Comandra umbellata (Bastard Toadflax) on 4-19-26, #1089-12.
Comandra umbellata (Bastard Toadflax) is another hemiparasitic species from the plant family Santalaceae. The genus name comes from the Greek word for “male hairs” that refers to the hairs at the base of it’s flowers stamens…
Comandra umbellata (Bastard Toadflax) on 4-19-26, #1089-16.
The flowers open up more, but as before, I didn’t see any like that. Maybe next time… You can see what they look like open by visiting its page (click on the link above). The description of the flowers is quite interesting… One of the adult leaders of the 4H Club was standing next to me when I found the first one. He asked what it was. I paused for a minute and said, “Ummm… Toadflax.” I couldn’t call it a bastard because I didn’t know this guy very well… 🙂 Well, I didn’t remember the other common names.
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Fragaria virginiana (Virginia Strawberry) on 4-19-26, #1089-17.
The last time Walter and I were at the prairie, the owner asked Walter (over the phone) if we had seen any wild strawberries. We only ran across a few, and this time I found only a couple of plants. Fragaria virginiana (Virginia or Wild Strawberry) is listed as a native species in every state in the United States and every province in Canada. While these strawberries are small, they have a great flavor. Information online says native European strawberries are larger but lack flavor. Our F. virginiana were hybridized with European species which gives led to the development of the many cultivars available today. Hopefully, someday I will run across some fruit to sample, which would be a first.
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Heuchera richardsonii (Prairie Alumroot) on 4-19-26, #1089-20.
Without a doubt, the greatest find in the prairie was this Heuchera richardsonii (Prairie Alumroot). Walter and I were walking together when he spotted this plant and asked what it was. I took a look at it and immediately thought it looked like the leaves of the Coral Bells in the north bed. I didn’t immediately say that to Walter because I thought there was no way it could be a Heuchera in the prairie. I uploaded the photos I took to iNaturalist and, low and behold, the first suggestion was Heuchera richardsonii…
Heuchera richardsonii (Prairie Alumroot) on 4-19-26, #1089-23.
The leaves were very thick are stiff and the stems and petioles are very hairy. This was a great find and the only one I saw. The chances of finding it again are very, very slim… I’ll look for it, though, because I really want to see what it flowers look like in person. I need more photos so I can write a page for it…
The maps Biota of North America Program (BONAP) website show 32 species of Heuchera in the United States. Four of the species are, or have been, found in Missouri. Some species are found only in one to a few states.
When I was a kid, there was a clear, rock-like chunk in the medicine cabinet that mom said was alum. We used it for mouth sores if we bit our cheek or tongue. It was very bitter, but always seemed to do the trick.
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Hypoxis hirsuta (Yellow Star Grass) on 4-19-26, #1089-24.
There were plenty of Hypoxis hirsuta (Yellow Star Grass) here and there throughout the prairie. It’s leaves are grass-like.
Hypoxis hirsuta (Yellow Star Grass) on 4-19-26, #1089-26.
The flowers were so bright yellow it was hard to get good photos…
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Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon) on 4-19-26, #1089-28.
Last year all the flowers of the Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon) were beginning to wilt so I didn’t get very good photos. This time, being earlier, I was able to get several good flower photos.
Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon) on 4-19-26, #1089-31.
There were a few good-sized colonies of this species in the area of the prairie we were walking.
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Packera plattensis (Prairie Groundsel/Prairie Ragwort) on 4-19-26, #1089-32.
The Packera plattensis (Prairie Groundsel/Prairie Ragwort) was alive and well and blooming up a storm. This member of the plant family Asteraceae was in both fairly large colonies as well as hit and miss clumps.
Packera plattensis (Prairie Groundsel/Prairie Ragwort) on 4-19-26, #1089-37.
They sure did add a splash of color and could be spotted from quite a distance.
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Pedicularis canadensis (Wood Betony/Canadian Lousewort, ETC.) on 4-19-26, #1089-38.
One of my favorite species in the prairie is the Pedicularis canadensis (Wood Betony/Canadian Lousewort). It is a hemiparasitic member of the plant family Orobanchaceae meaning it taps into the roots of nearby plants. Apparently, it has a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that helps gather nutrients. Some references say they accomplish this through “haustoria”, tissue connections that develop between the roots of parasitic plants and host plants…
Pedicularis canadensis (Wood Betony/Canadian Lousewort, ETC.) on 4-19-26, #1089-41.
Common names of Pedicularis canadensis include Wood Betony, Canadian Lousewort, Common Lousewort, and possibly others.
The common name “Lousewort” originated with an old belief that cattle that consumed the plant would become infested with lice… Another belief was that a strong concoction of the leaves could be used to eliminate lice. Native Americans used this species for several remedies.
Pedicularis canadensis (Wood Betony/Canadian Lousewort, ETC.) on 4-19-26, #1089-44.
I really like its ferny leaves and the way the flowers spiral.
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Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox/Downy Phlox) on 4-19-26, #1089-45.
In my friend’s secluded woods, Phlox divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox) are abundant, but Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox/Downy Phlox) can be found from one end of the prairie to the other. They are a bit shorter in height and have smaller leaves. Their flowers add a splash of color to the landscape.
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Polytaenia nuttallii (Prairie Parsley) on 4-19-26, #1089-50.
Another new species for me on this trip is the Polytaenia nuttallii (Prairie Parsley). I only found one plant so farm but I may find more when I go back.
Polytaenia nuttallii (Prairie Parsley) on 4-19-26, #1089-53.
Yeah, those umbels certainly resemble parsley. This species is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly and deer and cattle feed on its leaves. Plants can grow to 3 feet in height and it is used in habitat restoration.
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Primula meadia (Common or Eastern Shooting Star) on 4-19-26, #1089-54.
Last in alphabetical order on this trip, but certainly not the least on popularity, is the Primula meadia (Common or Eastern Shooting Star). Although the Indian Paintbrush was an instant hit, I really think this species would win a popularity contest in this prairie. When I spotted the first one of the evening, I called out, “Found one!” Immediately, the kids stopped what they were doing and ran to the spot. They huddled around the poor plant and started taking photos like it was a celebrity. Every time I found another one, I would call out, and they would come running. I didn’t run across any with white flowers this time, but perhaps I will in the next trip.
If you want to read about the last trip on May 5 in 2025, click HERE. Eleven new species for me…
Well, that’s it for this post. I apologize for not having much information in this post. Everyday that went by I was more anxious to get it finished… TEN DAYS from the trip to getting it finished! GEEZ!
The next trip is planned for this Sunday afternoon. I’m taking a couple of very good friends with me.
Until next time, be safe, stay positive, always be thankful, and GET DIRTY!
The Belmont Rooster 