Prairie Findings

1. Sky Blue Aster

(Asterales, Asteraceae, Symphyotrichum oolentangiense)

-perennial plant is 1½–3'tall, and largely unbranched except at the inflorescence

-basal leaves are about 3" long and 1½" across, cordate or broadly oval, and largely hairless

-lavender or light blue flowers

2. Indian Grass

(Cyperales, Poaceae, Sorghastrum nutans)

-3-7' tall and unbranched

-blades of the alternate leaves are up to 2' long and ½" across

-preference is full to partial sun and slightly moist to dry conditions

3. Prairie Dropseed

(Cyperales, Poaceae, Sporobolus heterolepis)

-narrow long leaves, rarely wider than 1/8 inch

-Dropseed leaves growdensely around a circular base

-In autumn it displays its unique color: a golden rust

4. Little Blue Stem

(Cyperales, Poaceae, Schizachyrium scoparium)

-has very flat bluish basal shoots

-Plants are green, but often purplish at base of stem and the entire plant has a reddish cast after frost

-has excellent drought and fair shade tolerance

5. Common Evening Primrose

(Myrtales, Onagraceae, Oenothera biennis L.)

-yellow flowers are usually about 1 inch across but are occasionally

up to twice that size

-flowers open in the evening and close up during the day but may remain open longer on cloudy days

-Leaves are up to 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, tapering to a point at the tip

6. Smooth Brome

(Cyperales,Poaceae, Bromus inermis Leyss. )

-An erect, leafy, long-lived perennial, 1 ½ to 3 feet tall

-panicle branches in whorls

-introduced from Europe

7. Queen Anne's Lace

(Apiales, Apiaceae, Daucus carota L.)

-also known as wild carrot

-grows up to one meter tall and flowers from July to October

-lacy, white flowers measuring 3-7 cm wide

8. Big ToothAspen

(Salicales, Salicaceae, Populus grandidentata)

-medium sized tree that grows up to 60 ft. tall

-rounded leaves with sharp serrated edges

-do not like shade; normally grow on edge of woods or along streams

Things I Found on my Own....

1. White Tailed Deer

(Artiodactyla, Cervidae, Odocoileus virginianus)

- grey/brown coat

-white underside ofthe tail

-native to all States but four

2. Eastern Mole

(Soricomorpha, Talipadae, Scalopus aquaticus)

-likes to eat lots of earthworms

-burrows through the ground

-large, hairless, spade shaped feet

3. Meadow Vole

(Rodentia, Cricetidae, Microtus pennsylvanicus)

-not a mouse! Sometimes called a field mouse, though

-active year round

-digs burrows

-has a chunky body with a short tail

4. Raccoon

(Carnivora, Procyondae, Procyon lotor)

-grayish coat

-very dense under fir

-omnivorous diet

5. Great Blue Heron

(Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae, Ardea herodias)

-wetland wading bird

-has a very harsh croak

-found throughout most of North America

-primary food is fish

6. Pokeweed

(Caryophyllales, Phytolaccaceae, Phytolacca americana L.)

- berries are very poisonous to mammals

-have single alternate leaves that are pointed at the end

-flowers are greenish-white in a long strand

-can make dye/ink from the berries

7. Smooth Sumac

(Sapindales, Anacardiaceae, Rhus glabra L.)

-10-20 ft. shrub

-alternate leaves with sharp toothed leaflets

-is native to 48 states

-can be invasive

8. Eastern Gray Squirrel

(Rodentia, Sciuridae, Sciurus carolinensis)

-prolific and highly adaptable species

-predominately gray fir that can have a reddish tint

-is a scatter-hoarder

-breed twice a year