Tall Grass Prairie Flower Pics

[ToddsPoint]

I started my tall grass prairie restoration project on 2 acres of pasture behind my house 25 yrs ago. I purchased a wildflower seed mix and also visited a relict prairie with a friend experienced in prairie restoration to obtain seeds. I also pick up seeds where I can find them. Along RR right of ways and along roadsides. It’s taken yrs for some of the seeds to germinate. I now have around 30 species. As the flowers start popping I will add them to this thread. You are welcome to add pics of wildflowers. Native species only!
This is purple milkweed.

 

[pepperj]

I tip my hat at your restoration and having 25 species growing now.
"Though a weed is just a misplaced flower" So I have heard.

 

[Groundhogg]

I started my tall grass prairie restoration project on 2 acres of pasture behind my house 25 yrs ago. I purchased a wildflower seed mix and also visited a relict prairie with a friend experienced in prairie restoration to obtain seeds. I also pick up seeds where I can find them. Along RR right of ways and along roadsides. It’s taken yrs for some of the seeds to germinate. I now have around 30 species. As the flowers start popping I will add them to this thread. You are welcome to add pics of wildflowers. Native species only!
This is purple milkweed.
View attachment 2088966View attachment 2088967

Nice photos keep em' coming

 

[RGINN]

Pretty cool. Southern Plains were always the prettiest place in spring. Like a carpet of color.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Great job! We helped our county DNR folks gather prairie seed last fall. Various tall grasses and milkweed. The seed went to other counties and anyone helping could keep seed. We sowed quite a bit. Only the milkweed came up.

 

[Timbermaster]

That is a great idea ! *Like

 

[ToddsPoint]

This is a foxglove beards tongue. A member of the snapdragon family. A delicate little plant. One of first to flower. Flowers last less than a week and then gone.

The last pic shows what foxglove beards tongue looks like when it goes to seed.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This is a black eyed Susan. A member of the aster family. There are many species that have similar yellow flowers. Very common.

 

[ToddsPoint]

If you’re interested in prairie flowers this is the best book that I’ve found.

 

[pepperj]

Great job! We helped our county DNR folks gather prairie seed last fall. Various tall grasses and milkweed. The seed went to other counties and anyone helping could keep seed. We sowed quite a bit. Only the milkweed came up.

I have milk weed growing on the property. Every year when I'm out detecting I take a few seed pods.
I open one and set in the door arm rest of the truck.
Going down country roads that they don't spray, I open the passenger window, and the fluffy seed goes out the window. I look in the mirror and see them floating around in yhe air.
Even if doesn't germinate, I feel a tad better trying to make things better.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This is a sedge, although I’m not sure which one.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This one is wild quinine. A member of the aster family. Wild quinine was grown during WW1 when the usual supplies were cut off.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This is thin mountain mint. Mint family.

 

[newnan man]

Indian Blanket. Very hardy, grows on the beach dunes.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I’ve grown Indian blanket before but unfortunately it doesn’t reproduce. A friend dropped me off some seeds for next yr. Hopefully some will catch from this bag. They are so pretty they are worth a try again.

 

[newnan man]

I’ve grown Indian blanket before but unfortunately it doesn’t reproduce. A friend dropped me off some seeds for next yr. Hopefully some will catch from this bag. They are so pretty they are worth a try again.View attachment 2089240

Mine reproduce like crazy. I have to constantly thin them out or they would literally take over the entire yard. They go to seed then start sprouting up very near the old plants that die off.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This map shows the extent of the tall grass prairie in green before European settlement.

 

[ToddsPoint]

#7 This one is called goat’s rue and is a member of the bean family. Many prairie plants have powerful chemicals in their roots. This plant has a chemical called rotenone. The Indians dug the roots of this plant and used it to stun fish! Better living through chemistry.

 

[ToddsPoint]

#8 This small common flower is called daisy fleabane. It is a member of the aster family.

 

[Blackfoot58]

So what control method do you use? Around here, some folks mow, others do a burn. I guess nature did both: buffalo grazing and lightning strikes.