Tallgrass Prairie Family Ties

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”—William Shakespeare

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June, we hardly knew ya. And now you’re almost over.

White wild indigo (Baptisia alba), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

A sprinkle of droplets. Clouds overhead. Smoke in the air.

Nachusa Grasslands, Franklin Grove, IL.

Not nearly enough rain to replenish the prairies. The prairie hunkers down, conserving its water and its strength. It may be a shorter tallgrass this season.

Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Nachusa Grasslands, Franklin Grove, IL.

Despite the severe drought, the prairie is full of new beginnings. Flowering spurge blooms.

Flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata), Schulenberg Prairie, Lisle, IL.

Would you believe this prairie wildflower is related to the Christmas poinsettia? Both are in the genus Euphorbia. Who would have thought?

Flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL (2018)

Plants are full of interesting relationships.

Wild petunia springs up in mowed grass paths through the prairie.

Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) , Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Despite its common name, it’s not really related to the petunias we use as bedding plants. Prairie Moon Nursery tells us that the hanging basket type petunias we buy at the hardware store in the spring are related to tomatoes! Different families. Go figure. But, as Prairie Moon goes on to say of common petunias and wild petunias, “the resemblance is striking!” It sure is. When it comes to who is related to who, I guess we should take it all in stride.

Common water strider (Family Gerridae), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Even the milkweeds, all part of the same family Asclepiadaceae—and many of them coming into bloom this week here—have a lot of different looks. Purple milkweed.

Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Butterflyweed, or butterfly milkweed as it is sometimes called, is just beginning to carpet the prairies with eye-popping orange.

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Or, consider the unusual clasping milkweed.

Clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis), Nachusa Grasslands, Franklin Grove, IL.

Looks like it came from outer space, doesn’t it?

Common milkweed is a tough customer. It springs up in unexpected places in my garden, and also, about anywhere it can, including this gravel construction site.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Sterling, IL.

On the prairies, the whorled milkweed won’t bloom until August. But I can close my eyes and imagine it.

Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) Nachusa Grasslands, Franklin Grove, IL. (2020)

Anticipation.

Milkweeds are so diverse—and yet similar in some ways. Kissing cousins.

Prairie milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.(2022)

The summer prairie is a family reunion of sorts, with so many fascinating members of the prairie community coming together for a celebration of the season.

Four-lined plant bug (possibly Poecilocapsus lineatus) Schulenber Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

July is on the way. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the prairie.

Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Who knows who else will show up?

Four-spotted skimmer dragonfly (Libellula quadrimaculata –having a population explosion this year), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

But for now, I’m going to soak up these last days of June.

Woodland sunflower (probably Helianthus divaricatus), Schulenberg Prairie Savanna, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

It’s been a month full of wonder.

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The opening quote is from William Shakespeare’s play, “Troilus and Cressida” (1602). The line was spoken by the character Ulysses. Shakespeare (1564-1616), an English playwright often known simply as “the Bard,” is responsible for many common phrases and quotes we use in everyday language— without recognizing him as the source. Among the works attributed to him are 39 plays, several narrative poems, and more than 150 sonnets.

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Join Cindy for a program or a class!

Hello Wonderful Readers: I’ll still be blogging, but I’m taking most of the month of July off from teaching and giving programs to continue my adventures with Jeff, visiting 40 natural areas for our 40th anniversary this year. Look for classes and programs to resume at the end of July (see http://www.cindycrosby.com for details), and please let us know where you think we should go next. Thanks to everyone who has sent ideas! So far, we’ve enjoyed hiking and/or kayaking at the following:

#1 Rock Cut State Park (Rockford, IL); #2 James “Pate” Philip State Park (Bartlett, IL); #3 Potato Creek State Park (North Liberty, IN); #4 Indiana Dunes State Park (Porter County, IN); #5 Indiana Dunes National Park (Beverly Shores, IN); and this week –kayaking Silver Lake at #6 Blackwell Forest Preserve (Wheaton/Warrenville, IL). Only 34 to go!