Natives in Unlikely Places
April 30, 2010 by Becky
Filed under Seasonal Reminders, What's blooming?
As you notice large newly mowed lawns this spring and new sprawling developments eating away at existing “green space”, you may think there can’t be hope for the survival of native plants. But you may be surprised by the success and adaptability of some native species. If you keep your eye out, you may find native plants in seemingly unlikely places. Over the weekend, we had these wonderful encounters:
I slammed on my brakes on my way to pick up my son the other day. Could those be Pussytoes at this little semi-urban park site? Yes! I quickly examined the site and decided to go back later with my camera. My husband said, “You are taking a picture of what?” Pussytoes! (Antennaria plantaginifolia), a wonderful short, drier prairie plant, often used as a ground cover. The flowers will fade in a few weeks but the foliage remains attractive throughout the summer as the plant spreads by rhizomes. In this area, Pussytoes have actually benefited from occasional mowing by the city. Parts of this species are poisonous to rabbits and deer so your plants should not be bothered:
Close up of Pussytoes flower:
And the leaves:
Not far away from this park, Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is blooming in wet ditches near a busy highway. What a welcome sight amongst the invasive garlic mustard, reed canary, etc. normally seen in these roadsides:
As Bill was traveling through Northern Illinois, he found Sand Phlox (Phlox bifida) growing at this roadside stop. He was impressed that it seemed the maintenance crew at this small rest stop mows around the plants rather than over them! We learned from Alan that this species of Phlox is what the nursery industry has cultivated over the years for the bright pink/purple “creeping phlox” you see in many gardens today:
Sand Phlox close up:
Don’t get discouraged by the lack of natives around you. Keep your eyes open and you are sure to find some! If you think that you may have stumbled upon a native species or, better yet, a prairie remnant, send digital photos our way! We are quite good at species identification.
