BIG BLUE STEM

   The Big Blue stem is a prarie grass and its very easy to tell from all of the other grass ,because it has a certain tone of blue and the flowers on the top of it is the shape of a turkeys foot. Your yard is most likley to have big bluestem in it because at one point it probably was a prarie. When a prarie is filled with the Big Bluestem it is very cool because it looks almost purple. There are grass hoppers that will jump on it and mate and same with Cattails. This is a very good habitat for small animals like, field mice, woodchucks ( if its near water),maybe deer, fox, and ground hogs.We all have to help them out so they can make it to more places around the world.

The New England Aster

The New England Aster is about a foot high and and about 3cm wide. We have some in our prairie at Chatfield School in Michigan. It is purple.  The bloom period is in June and October .This flower can be used for medication. It came from the Europeans to the United States, it is not in many praries. The insect that is attracted to the New England Aster is a Bee.  The New England Aster can be very useful and is very beautiful.

Ragweed

This plant is very common and widespread, occurring in every county of Illinois. It can be found in disturbed areas of dry black soil prairies, particularly along the margins near developed areas. This ragweed is not particularly common in high quality prairies, but patches or isolated plants are regularly observed. Other native habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, meadows in woodland areas, and the edges of gravelly seeps. In developed areas, Common Ragweed is often observed in cropland, abandoned fields, vacant lots, fence rows, and areas along roadsides and railroads. Occasionally, it appears as a weed in gardens and lawns. This plant thrives in practically any kind of disturbance. It has properties that inhibit the growth and development of neighboring plants.

Video: Planting Native Trees at Prairies and Ponds of Oakdale

Mexican Hat Flower

.The Mexican Hat flower is a plant branched and leafy in lower parts with long leafless stalks bearing flower heads of 3-7 dark red and yellow, drooping petals surrounding a long, red-brown central disk. The flowers central brown disk protrudes 1/2 to 2 in. above the drooping petals. Leaves on the lower portion of the stem are feathery.The colorful flower heads, resembling the traditional broad-brimmed, high-centered hat. There are thousands. The Mexican Hat Flower is beautiful.

BIG Blue Steam

Big blue steam has three flower like turkey feet.the bloom period is somewere in late spring .Incects such as miscitos and moths are atracted to this plant. This plant is not used for medical purpiouses.