Prairie Works is the source for ecological and landscape services in Northwest Illinois. Prairie Works can assist on projects large and small ranging from prairie and woodland restoration, invasive species control, controlled burning, bio-engineered erosion control and landscaping through the use of native plants. Prairie Works offers an environmentally friendly and dynamic solution to traditional land use practices and strives to connect people to the natural history of the area.

Cory's Blog: A cyber bulletin containing information, statements, news, reports, inside dope, observations and ramblings. Please browse the archives at your leisure.

Archive for the 'flora' Category

Wildflower Photoscans

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on August 22, 2008
in Blog, flora, galena, ill and news
. 0 Comments

Rosa carolina from UMWGalena resident, Richard Pearce, has just launched a new website that catalogues high-resolution photoscans of wild plants from the region. Not to be confused with photographs, these images are scanned in the field or in the studio using a normal office ’scanner’, a laptop, a light source and a power pack. Richard can capture images of wild plants with amazing clarity and resolution with this setup. High end cameras are grabbing 8-20 mega pixels and lack the up close detail. With a scanner he is achieving 50-100 mega pixels with incredible details up close. This allows you to see plant details not able to be seen with the naked eye. This artform was the subject of an exhibit at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2006 featuring Richard’s mural sized images.

Richard accidentally stumbled upon the process in 2001. He said of the discovery, ” What I saw that night with the office scanner clearly went beyond macro-photography and into the realm of microscopy.” Since then he has successfully scanned over 200 species and a few insects within the Tri-State region, including some threatened and endangered plants. Currently the website contains 69 species with more images added every week.

Richard in action

Along with the incredible photoscans of individual plants on the new website. Each species has a description based on personal research, a plant distribution map, a satellite image of the general location where the plant was scanned and its exact GPS coordinates. The site will be constantly evolving as time goes on and Richard does not expect to become bored with this hobby as the plant diversity in the area and advances in scanner technology could keep him busy for a lifetime.

The new website is called the Upper Mississippi Wildflower Series. Richard welcomes critical feedback from web viewers.

http://www.arrasimages.com/UMW.html View the website here

 

 

Skunk Cabbage

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on March 3, 2008
in Blog, flora, native species and seasonal
. 0 Comments

Sympplocarpus foetidusThis is the time of year when we get to witness one of the true gems of native plant dynamics. Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is found in wet woodlands, shaded streambanks, springs and on the edges of fens. It is the first flower to begin growing in late winter, creates a horrible odor and has great medicinal value. However, Skunk Cabbage is best known for its thermogenetic properties - it produces its own heat!

Beginning as early as late February Skunk Cabbage begins to appear, sometimes coming up through the snow and melting it in the process. It produces a foul odor (hence the common name) as it grows, attracting stoneflies and bees. These insects serve as its pollinators and are responsible for its reproduction. Breaking a portion of the leaf will give someone a deep whiff of the skunk-like smell. This odor also discourages herbivores from eating it, thus increasing its survival rate.

Skunk Cabbage Melting SnowSkunk Cabbage can create temperatures up to 35° C (95° Fahrenheit) by a process known as cyanide resistant cellular respiration. It is among a small group of plants that exhibit thermogenesis. This produced heat also helps spread its odor into the air. Simply put, Skunk Cabbage is warm blooded, like us.

Another rare trait - Skunk Cabbage has contractile roots. This pulls the plant down into the mud as it grows. The plant actually grows downward, although it attains a height of up to 18 inches. This makes the plant impossible to be dug from the ground, something the nursery trade learned long ago.

Skunk Cabbage is not rare but also not common. It can be found in most Northern Illinois counties but occurrence is sporadic elsewhere. In Wisconsin it is found in most counties of the state. The specific habitat that it prefers makes it hard to find. Large populations of this plant can turn into tourist areas this time of year. It is well documented that Chicagoland once had extremely high populations of Skunk Cabbage.

Mimicking SaltI used to have a large population behind my house in Bull Valley near Woodstock, ILL. A friend once thought that a deer had broken up a salt lick and spread it around the woodland, melting the snow… If you have never experienced this phenomena it should be put on your ‘to do’ list.

http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/spring1999/skunkcabbage.html Good Article

The Chestnut

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on February 4, 2008
in Blog, flora, history and native species
. 1 Comment

A Once Mighty ChestnutDuring the 1800s the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) was one of the most widespread and useful tree species east of the Mississippi River. Its name counjours up images of roasting fires around Christmas time and is a word used loosely in America today. The folklore around this tree is legendary in Appalachia and the tree had an immence effect on the culture there. Chesnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) was discovered in America in 1904 and by 1950 it had wiped out almost the entire population of Chestnut trees.

The Chestnut was a major tree species in the eastern Unites States when settlers arrived in America. It is what ecologists consider a ‘keystone species’ as its presence contributes to natures diversity. It is estimated that 25% of the trees on the eastern seaboard were Chestnuts before blight took over. During its bloom time in spring, the Appalachian Mountains would appear snow covered with its small white flowers. A prolific nut producer, it was the primary winter food for Turkey, Deer, Bear, birds, livestock and even humans. It was extremley important in harboring wildlife.

Its wood was highly valuable commercially as it grew straight, had tight grain, resisted decay, was rich in tannins and grew faster than Oaks. The wood was used extensively for just about everything. On the wood and tannin markets Chestnut had a utilitarian versitility that no other tree could match. Today, Chestnut wood reclaimed from old homes and barns is highly sought after.

The Chestnut Blight was accidentally introduced and disovered at the Bronx Zoo in New York city in 1904 after importing the Asian Chestnut for ornamental purposes in the 1890’s. The asian varieties evolved with the fungus and therefore were minimally effected. By 1940 an estimated 4 billion trees were killed by the blight. The failing of this tree species had a negative impact on the economy of rural appalachia.

In Illinois, the Chestnut has been recorded in the wild in only seven counties, including JoDaviess, the only county in the northern half. Wisconsin reports 6 counties. It is likely that the trees here were in isolated populations and could have been intentionally planted by pioneers from the east.

Today, scientists are working on developing blight resistant strains on the American Chestnut with thier goal to be 98% of the original. These new varieties must contain genetic strains found in the Asian Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) due to its resiliancy to the blight. Some areas of the country are being found to be untouched but experts feel it is only a matter of time before their demise. Its hybridized return will never be appreciated by purists, but it may add an important element to our landscape that we are losing due to declining Oak and Ash populations.

http://www.acf.org/ The American Chestnut Foundation

http://ipm.ppws.vt.edu/griffin/lore.html Chestnut Folklore

http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF2202/Freinkel/Freinkel.html The Loss of the American Chestnut Tree by Susan Freinkel

Fall Colors

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on October 11, 2007
in Blog, flora, seasonal and weather
. 0 Comments

Fall Maple ColorWe live in an area of the world where we can experience the phenomenon of fall color change. Every year we ask ourselves, Will we have good fall color? Every year the show of colors is different, but why? With the glory of fall now in full effect, it’s time to look at the science of autumn beauty.

As many of you remember, clorophyll is what makes leaves green. Through the process of photosythensis sunlight is used to transform carbon dioxide and water into carbrohydrates which fuels the growth of the tree. During the spring and summer sunlight levels and tempuatures are high, making the photosynthetic process very active and keeping leaves green. As daylight hours and temperatures decrease the process slows down and the colors that remain in the tree leaves appear. Different tree species contain different chemicals such as: Anthocyanins (Reds & Purples), Carotenoids (Orange & Golds) and Tannins (Browns).  

With that simple rule in place we now look to what causes yearly and locational differences.

Temperature: The greatest opportunity for great fall colors are cool nights, but not below freezing. Early frosts will reduce the brilliancy of colors as it slows or stops the production of anthocyanins. New England states are known for their great fall colors because freezing rarely occurs early in the fall due to its proximity to the ocean.

Moisture: Stressed plants show their colors earlier than healthy plants. Drought years will produce more reds than usual as there is an increase of anthocyanins. Drought years will also produce colors earlier than usual. A wet spring will promote good color as stored sugars in the leaves are released.

Sunlight: Optimum conditions are for bright sunny days. During the ‘changing’ period sugars in the leaves are produced more rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight. This is why leaves on the outside of the canopy change faster and with more brilliancy. Fall weather that is overcast and rainy does not provide very showy displays.

To summarize, for optimum fall colors we would want all of the following conditions to be in place thoughout the year: A warm wet spring with favorable summer weather followed by sunny fall days with cool temperatures at night but not freezing. Easier said than done but certainly a dynamic part of nature that everyone can appreciate.

http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors/  US Forest Service Fall Color Hotline

  

The Nebraska Sandhills

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on September 21, 2007
in Blog, birds, fauna, flora, history and travel
. 2 Comments

Cory South of Valentine, NEI often feature natural areas within a reasonable distance from Northwest Illinois. However, there are some places that are so unique and fascinating that they must be included as an option. In 2005 the Natural Areas Association had its annual meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. We decided to attend four days of seminars and then head off for a week, exploring the great Nebraska Sandhills that we had heard so much about. Since our first trip it has served as a close destination 550 miles west on route 20.

Photo by Michael ForsbergThe Nebraska Sandhills are not kown by many, other than botanists and cattlemen. It plays second fiddle to the Kansas Flint Hills as the best representation of pre-settlement vegetation on a large scale. The Nebraska Sandhills is an area of 19,600 square miles (1/4 of the state) of sand dunes that are covered in native grasses and forbs with clean lakes and marshes scattered between. Early on, settlers realized that the land could not be farmed and it immediatly became an area conducive only to light grazing. In 1904 the Kincaid Act was passed and it allowed homesteaders to claim 640 acres (a square mile or one section), much more than the 160 acres previously defined by the Homestead Act of 1862. The act was created specifically for the sandhills region and is responsible for the hugeness of the land holdings there today. It is now one of the most remote areas of the United States. So sparse, in fact, that Cherry County is similar in size to West Virginia, while holding only 6,098 people, half of which reside in Valentine, NE. This results in a population density of one person per 1.02 square miles. Only areas of the backcountry in Alaska and North Dakota can compare. Land is discussed in sections and the term “acre” brings up odd looks.

Windmill - Photo by Michael ForsbergBecause of these extremes you have an ecosystem that is largely intact. The cattle density is very low due to the fragility of the sand dunes. The ranchers know very well the damage that can be done once a sand “blow out” occurs. Some of the prairie species that occur in the shortgrass and sandy prairies in the Midwest are also found here and feed the prized cattle. The extensive root systems and sandy soils assist in filtering water of the Ogallala aquifer, the worlds largest, which lies beneath the endless sand dunes. Exotic plants make up only 7 percent of the entire flora here - an amazingly low number when compared to the fertility of the Midwest. The area also supports large numbers of birds and mammals, it is the namesake to the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) and Forbes magazine called Grand Island, NE the number one destination in the world for bird watchers. 

If you travel to the Sandhills region be prepared to not see many people, fill up with gas when you have the opportunity, not sleep at Holiday Inns (we slept at someone’s house once) and be overwelmed by its vastness and ranching traditions. You will also realize that windmill repair and maintenence is an actual industry here. There are several campgrounds and B&Bs throughout and recreational opportunities available, especially near Valentine.

I will never forget the pleasure I had when a hungry sales shark was trying to sell me a timeshare in Orlando, Florida. She asked me where I enjoyed vacationing the most and where I took my last vacation. I didn’t realize that honesty was also the best way to end her sales pitch. The Nebraska Sandhills are located within an easy 9 hour drive from Galena, IL off of route 20.

 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/na/na0809.html National Geographic Article

http://www.thenebraskasandhills.com/index.html 

Purple Coneflower?

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on September 17, 2007
in Blog, flora and native species
. 0 Comments

Echinacea pallida - The True NativeAn interesting article appeared in the August 26 edition of the Chicago Tribune. The gardening section had an article about the Coneflower species and the hybridization that has been done to these popular flowers. Purple Coneflower along with Black-Eyed Susan are the most recognizable and widely used native plants today. The article states that even though the Echinacea species is indeed a native species to the Midwest, it abandoned its native roots a long time ago.

Today we most commonly see cultivars such as Echinacea ‘Sunrise,’ ‘White Swan,’ ‘White Lustre,’ ‘Magnus’ and so on. These varities are hybridized versions of our pioneer prairie plant but are assumed native either due to improper marketing by the nursery trade or because the medicinal uses of Echinacea are widely known and associated with Native Americans. In fact, any “variety” or “cultivar” plant is not a native and the native Echinacea of Illinois would most likely be Echinacea pallida - Pale Purple Coneflower. It is found at select midwestern nurseries that specialize in native plants where they strive to keep native gene pools intact. Never found at the local nurseries perrennial section.

The Tribune article entitled “A Better Coneflower?” highlighted the growing argument between those hybridizers and native plant purists. As the popularity of Echinacea varieties has grown, so has the argument. This maybe an argument that will grow alongside our coneflowers (whichever ones it may be) for a long time. A Wilmette, IL resident who has gotten away from from using cultivars summed it up by saying “If you plant something that isn’t native” she says “It may be pretty but its not as beneficial as it could be.” 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/home/chi-0826echinacea_aug26,0,162126.story The Chicago Tribune article

Contact Cory @ Prairie Works if you would like true native Pale Purple Coneflowers - 815.751.7400

Hardscrabble Prairie

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on September 14, 2007
in Blog, driftless area, flora, prairie, remnant ecosystems and travel
. 0 Comments

Just Southeast of Hazel Green, WI is the diverse Hardscrabble Prairie. Named after the original name of the village to be Hazel Green, it is a 140 acre tract. Composed of woodlands, intermittent streams and some oak openings it is the dry prairies that are in the greatest condition and are most notable.

At this natural area you can view the habitat that harbors the globally rare Ottoe Skipper Butterfly along with several rare birds and plants. The fact that one of the dry prairies is located on a North facing slope makes this natural area most interesting. Dry prairie plant communities are usually found on South and West facing slopes as the soil can dry faster and soil tempetures tend to remain at higher degrees.

This prairie is Wisconsin State Natural Area #322 and was officially dedicated in 1997. It is a great representation of dry prairies in the driftless area and makes for a great wildlife watching opportunity.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/sna/sna322.htm Detailed info and directions

New England Aster

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on September 10, 2007
in Blog, flora, native species, prairie and seasonal
. 0 Comments

New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)There are a few signs that signal summer’s end and the arrival of fall. Shorter days, cooler nights and kids back in school. One sure sign for me is seeing the beginning blooms of New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae). New England Aster is one of the showiest native wildflowers and a very versatile plant when used in prairie restorations. The plant is suitable for a backyard garden but can also be found growing in roadsides.

New England Aster is native to most parts of the Unites States east of the Rocky Mountains and North of the Mason-Dixon Line. It can be found growing in almost every county in Illinois and Wisconsin and about half in Iowa. It grows around 4 feet tall and prefers mesic soils but tolerates heavy clay. It serves as a host to many butterflies and has an abnormally long bloom period, sometimes over two months. Often times this plant will look stressed when dry and serves as a good indicator of a dry summer and fall. Its strong fiberous root system makes it ideal in erosion control applications.

Be on the lookout this fall for this great prairie flower.

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ne_asterx.htm

Nachusa Grasslands

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on August 21, 2007
in Blog, flora, prairie, remnant ecosystems and travel
. 0 Comments

NachusaEvery prairie lover or bird watcher in Northern Illinois has at least heard of Nachusa Grasslands. Nachusa is a true ecological gem for Illinois. It serves as the flagship project in the Midwest for The Nature Conservancy and has set the benchmark for a volunteer network that now stewards its thousands of acres.

The story goes that it started in the early 80’s when famous prairie preservers Doug and Dot Wade were birding down the country roads of Lee County and heard a bird song that sounded like the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). When they got out they discovered acres of undisturbed prairie. Immediately, preservation efforts began and The Nature Conservancy bought its first parcels in 1985.

Since then, land ownership has increased to over 2,500 acres that contain several different ecosytems including sand boils and woodlands as well as numerous rare plants, birds and insects. In fact, the first insect reintroductions have taken place here. The Checkerspot Butterfly was transplanted from habitats that were being lost to development and brought to Nachusa where they can monitor its survivability. The Nature Conservancy has been very creative with its donations. They have started corporate sponsorship of new purchases. Today, we have The Tellabs Savanna, named after the large telecommunications conglomerate which donated the dollars for the new tract. An onsite seed harvesting operation was completed a few years ago which helps restore the new acres which are continually being added. In the future a herd of Bison may be brought back to the Illinois prairie here.

Nachusa Grasslands is located Northeast of Dixon and South of Oregon, IL. An information kiosk is located off of Lowden Rd. You can also visit the restored grist mill at the Franklin Creek Natural Area just south of Nachusa. Volunteer stewards lead nature walks through the preserve monthly and many events happen there throughout the year.

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/illinois/preserves/art1116.html Nature Conservancy Site

http://www.bwcvb.com/component/option,com_magazine/func,show_article/id,6/Itemid,36/ Detailed Directions and Description 

http://www.nature.org/magazine/autumn2007/features/ Article on Volunteer Steward - Jay Stacy

Thomson-Fulton Prairie

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on August 11, 2007
in Blog, driftless area, fauna, flora, prairie, remnant ecosystems and travel
. 0 Comments

Thompson-Fulton Prairie - AugustJust a few miles South of Thomson, IL, and a few miles North of Fulton, IL, is the appropriately named Thomson-Fulton Sand Prairie Nature Preserve. Thomson-Fulton is a 212-acre sand prairie that is a great representation of typical Illinois sand prairies. It also serves as a great alternative to those who cannot gain access to The Savanna Army Depot.

Thomson-Fulton has great plant diversity and looks different each time I visit. Being the vegetation is sparce and short, it makes for an easy walk. Reptile lovers may find this prairie particularly interesting as snakes and lizards are found in great numbers. The six-lined-racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus) are in very healthy numbers here. The state record Bullsnake, Plains Hognose Snake and Eastern Garter Snake were all recorded here in 1997. This prairie serves as a great area for ecological study by scientists from both Illinois and Iowa.

Thomson-Fulton is highly reccomended prairie to visit. It is located west of route 84, 1.25 miles North of Lock Rd.

http://dnr.state.il.us/INPC/Directory/Sitefiles/Area1/thowh.htm  

Spring Green Prairie

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on August 3, 2007
in Blog, fauna, flora, prairie, remnant ecosystems and travel
. 0 Comments

Spring Green Sand PrairieOne of the great benefits to living in Northwest Illinois is its access to great natural areas. Some very fine remnant ecosystems are within a leisurely drive. I would like to introduce Spring Green Prairie Preserve. Located just North of Spring Green Wisconsin, this 260 acre tract offers many unusual sights for the plant, bird, reptile, and insect lover.

Known locally for generations as “The Wisconsin Desert” this is a dry and sandy prairie with an upland savanna. The area is owned together by the Wisconsin DNR and The Nature Conservancy with management being performed by the latter. It was designated as a state natural area in 1972. Restoration efforts have been ongoing since and from observations made on my visit, they will continue for a while. At the prairie one can view dozens of rare plants, birds, insects and maybe see a lizard.

A trip to Spring Green Prairie can be done in conjunction with viewing Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. Taliesin is located just South of Spring Green. Viewing Taliesin and Spring Green Prairie together is a wonderful way to view prairie style architecture and prairies themselves. You cannot help but notice how the surrounding landscapes were integrated into Wright’s design. 

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/sna/sna102.htm Spring Green Prairie Preserve http://www.taliesinpreservation.org/ Taliesin

New Orchid Species Discovered

Published
by
Cory Ritterbusch
on July 24, 2007
in Blog, flora, native species and news
. 0 Comments

In a world where endangered plants are becoming extinct and rare plants are becoming threatened, refreshing news was announced that a new species of orchid was discovered in the United States at Yosemite National Park. The plant will be called Yosemite Bog Orchid (Platanthera yosemitensis) and appears to only exist within the California National Park. The plant can be confirmed by its tiny yellow flowers and distinct odor which resembles stinky feet or strong cheese.

The plant was first collected in 1923 and was thought to be another species, a southern Rockies Bog Orchid.  Its location was discovered again in Yosemite in 1993 at which time botanists had a gut feeling that this was a distinct species.  Taxonomists soon began searching for and mapping other locations where this orchid was encountered in Yosemite. The case was then re-opened, as if it were a crime mystery, in 2003. The country’s leading botanists confirmed it after much examination. “What a delight to find that, in the 21st century, such gems await disovery, or, in this case, re-discovery.”said Alison Colwell, a USGS botanist. “Doubtless more such finds await us.”

Well said, Alison. Lets hope the Midwest can get its own gem of discovery someday.

Read the USGS press release here http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1706