2013 Photo Contest Winner Best Flora: Purple coneflowers, Bluff Spring Fen near Elgin, Chris Benda
2013 Photo Contest Winner Best Flora: Purple coneflowers, Bluff Spring Fen near Elgin, Chris Benda

Prairies

Posted: June 24th, 2015

Prairies are in full bloom from July through September. Here are some of our favorite places to see tallgrass and wildflowers.

Theodore Stone Preserve near Hodgkins

Theodore Stone Preserve, also known as Ted Stone, was purchased in 1917 and is home to a globally rare dolomite prairie, upland woods, and another super cool prairie. Restoration efforts in recent years have helped restore it to health. The beautiful prairie wild flowers are worthy of a trip to Ted Stone. About 200 native plant species live here, including purple milkweed, sky-blue aster, and rough blazing star. Take a hike. North of the picnic shelter, follow the boardwalk over a bridge that crosses restored wetlands and leads to the prairie and then up into the woods.

Somme Prairie Grove near Northbrook

Somme Prairie Grove is a particularly special place to visit. The oak savanna here features prairie flora as well as species that grow in shadier areas. It’s one of the most endangered ecosystems in Illinois, and this one has been lovingly restored to health during the past 30 years. Walk among the ancient oaks and open grassland looking for rattlesnake master, prairie dropseed, blazing star, compass plant, and more. Try to spot savanna and shrubland birds such as the indigo bunting or the brown thrasher. Somme Prairie Grove has an established footpath system and a variety of guides that can be downloaded from sommepreserve.org. The 85 acres include prairie, woodland, and savanna habitats.

Poplar Creek Prairie/Shoe Factory Road Woods near Hoffman Estates

A rare gravel hill prairie meets a spectacular prairie restoration at Shoe Factory Road Woods. On the hill prairie, an Illinois Nature Preserve, you’ll see a special mix of prairie plants that do well in dry conditions. On the plain below, you’ll get a real sense of open prairie – an increasingly rare sight. Take a look at the kame, a cone-shaped sand and gravel hill deposited by a glacier thousands of years ago. Enjoy the 100-plus native plant species such as Seneca snakeroot, leadplant and false dragonhead. Find the mowed trail on the east end of the Shoe Factory Road Woods parking lot (accessed from Rt 59). There is also a bike trail that skirts the edge of the preserve.

Powderhorn Prairie on Chicago’s southeast side

An active volunteer group is working to restore this sand prairie; an incredibly rare dune and swale ecosystem that formed on sand deposited by ancient glacial Lake Chicago. There are prickly pear cactus at this site. Who knew there were cacti in Illinois? Take a hike through one of Illinois’ finest remnant prairies and admire the dunes and swales.

Click here to learn more about Cook County’s prairies.