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Past Species of the Week: WildflowersSee main Species of the Week page for references. |
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Milkweed FamilyAsclepiadaceae
Aster Family Asteraceae
Touch-me-not Family Balsaminaceae
Borage Family Boraginaceae
Rock-rose Family Cistaceae
Spiderwort Family Commelinaceae
Morning-glory Family Convolvulaceae
Bean Family Fabaceae
Mint Family Lamiaceae
Lily Family Liliaceae
Evening Primrose Family Onagraceae |
Orchid Family Orchidacea
Milkwort Family Polygalaceae
Water Hyacinth Family Potamogetonaceae
Primrose Family Primulaceae
Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae
Rose Family Rosaceae
Saxifrage Family Saxifragaceae
Snapdragon Family Scrophulariaceae
Nightshade Family Solanaceae
Vervain Family Verbenaceae
Violet Family Violaceae |
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2008 (August 9-15, 2008) Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum (Snapdragon Family Scrophulariaceae) a.k.a blackroot, Culver's-physic
virginicum: of Virginia Culver's root is a native perennial that grows 3 to 6 feet tall. It has one main flower spike with several smaller branched flower spikes surrounding it. the stalked leaves grow in whorls of 3 to 6, and are lance-like and finely toothed. The tubular flowers are 4-parted and 1/4 to 1/3 inch long. They crowd together on the dense slender spikes. Culver's root appears on the prairies and in the woods in July and bloom well into August. They prefer sandy, loamy soil and grow well in full sun and in shade. They prefer moderately moist to wet spaces, and seem to be doing very well this year. Look for this plant all through the wildlife areas. Culver's root's roots have been used for centuries as a purgative, usually boiled into a liquid and drank. It has also been used as a laxative and to treat liver ailments, coughs, chills, fevers, and backaches*. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Canada goldenrod Solidago canadenses (Aster Family Asteraceae) a.k.a. common goldenrod
Easily confused with Giant goldenrod, S. gigantea, this tall goldenrod shares most identifying qualities with two notable exceptions. Like the Giant goldenrod, it grows 1 to 7 feet tall and has narrow, stalkless, sharply toothed, 3-veined leaves that are pointed at both ends. It's flower heads have 10 to 17 tiny yellow rays that grow in a 10 inch spreading cluster along one side of a backward curving branch. The two major differences are that the stems of the Canada goldenrod have fine hairs, where the Giant goldenrod stem lack hairs; and the bracts (behind each flower head) on the Canada goldenrod are yellowish, thin and pointed, where the Giant goldenrod's bracts are firm, blunt and green. Otherwise, by just looking at them from a distance, the two species are identical in appearance. This is a prime example of how difficult it is to ID the aster, or composite, family. These two goldenrods appear throughout the wildlife areas, but the Canada goldenrod prefers full to partial sun, moist to dry soil, and appears on roadsides, fields, in woods, and in prairies. Giant goldenrod prefers wetter soil, and grows in the woods, meadows, prairies and along shorelines. It could be said that if the goldenrod is growing near water, it has a better chance of being a Giant goldenrod, but we still recommend looking at the bracts and the stems to positively identify the plant. It was long thought that goldenrods were the main cause of hay fever and allergies. This could not be further from the truth. Ragweeds, (Ambrosia sp.), which bloom at the same time as goldenrods, are the real culprit. Ragweed is pollinated by the wind, which causes the male ragweed flower to release billions of tiny pollen grains into the air to ensure that some will find their way to the female flower of another ragweed plant and produce seed. Because they are not pollinated by insects, ragweed does not need visually attractive flower parts, so they are not a conspicuous plant and avoid blame for causing allergy sufferers to sneeze. The pollen grains of goldenrod, as is true of all insect-pollinated flowers, are comparatively fat and sticky so that they will adhere to visiting insects and be transferred by them to another flower. In order for a person to be affected by goldenrod pollen, they would have to stick their nose right into the flower just like a bee would! Upland white goldenrod Solidago ptarmicoides (Aster Family Asteraceae) a.k.a. prairie goldenrod
Solidago: from Latin solido, meaning "to make whole or heal" and a reference to the supposed, medicinal qualities of these plants
ptarmicoides: causes sneezing This is one goldenrod that does not appear "golden" nor have the tiny flowers that appear on most other Solidagos. It looks more "aster-like", but it is a goldenrod and shares most of the same genetic make-up as its yellow cousins. Upland white goldenrod is a short plant that does not grow more than 2 feet tall. It has 1/2 inch flower heads with 10-25 white rays up to 1/4 inch long. there are 3 to 60 heads growing from each flower stalk in a flat-topped cluster. The linear upper leaves are shorter than the lower, lance-like leaves. True to it's name, Upland white goldenrod is a prairie plant, preferring dry, gravelly, sandy soils and full sun. It can be found along roadsides in the drier parts of the wildlife areas. Look for good numbers of it growing along the eastern portion of Main Dike Road east of East Refuge Road in Crex Meadows. (July 12-18, 2008) Bicknell's rock-rose Helianthemum bicknellii (Rock-rose Family Cistaceae) a.k.a. hoary frostweed, rock-rose
bicknellii: for Eugene Pintard Bicknell (1859-1925) Bicknell's rock-rose is a native perennial that grows 8 to 24 inches tall with clustered reddish stems that branch hen mature. The branches are shorter than the main stem. Several yellow five-parted flowers grow from short stalks on a branched cluster at the top of the stems. Each flower is 2/3" to 1 " wide, with delicate yellow petals and fine stamens. The flower only blooms in the sun and each flower only appears for one day. This flower and it's earlier-blooming cousin Common rock-rose Helianthemum canadense are often overlooked because the plant only appears for a short time and the flower even shorter, although Bicknell's plant is more noticeable with it's red stems. Another rock-rose, False heather, which was featured a few weeks ago, also blooms for a very short time. Both Bicknell's and the Common rock-rose prefer dry prairies woods and inland sands. Look for them in the prairie areas around Crex and Fish Lake. There is a nice display right now of the Bicknell's in front of the Visitor Center, but the Common rock-rose is past bloom. These plants are also referred to as "frostweed" because the early morning moisture can sometimes creep up though the stems and cause a hoarfrost effect, cracking the stem at the base. Tall cinquefoil Potentilla arguta (Rose Family Rosaceae) a.k.a prairie cinquefoil, tall potentilla
arguta: Latin for "sharp" referring to sharp teeth on leaf margins The tallest of the native cinquefoils in this area, and the only Potentilla with white flowers, Tall cinquefoil grows up to 40 inches tall. It's stems are covered in fine brownish hairs and are unbranched right up to the branching flower cluster. The leaves are pinnately divided, with 7-11 leaflets at the base and usually 5 leaflets up the stalk. The flowers are white (sometimes tinged yellow), five-parted, and 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. The petals are slightly longer than the sepals. Tall cinquefoil blooms from late June through July, and prefers dry to moderate moisture in woodlands and prairies. Look for it at Crex Meadows and Fish lake Wildlife Areas. Hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium (Morning-glory Family Convolvulaceae) a.k.a. hedge false bindweed
A native perennial of Wisconsin, Hedge bindweed grows as a vine, usually trailing and twining among shrubs and hedges. The large five-parted funnel-shaped flowers are usually white with pink edges. Each petal is shallowly lobed with large bracts and just below the mostly equal sepals. The leaves are shaped triangularly like an arrow-head, and they have stalks that are more than half as long as the leaf.
Hedge bindweed grows in wet disturbed sites, meadows and prairies. It can be found along Stolte Road in Fish Lake Wildlife Area growing among the chestnut shrubs north of Corduroy Dike.
Morning glories are usually twining and climbing vines, found chiefly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Convilvere, the Latin root of the family name means "to twine around". Hedge bindweed is one of only two members of this family native to this area. The other is Upright bindweed Calystegia spithamaea, which has similar flowers but grows low to the ground with oblong leaves and does not vine. Other morning glories that may be found in Wisconsin (mainly in the southern part of the state) are introduced or escaped from gardens, and one, Field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, is considered invasive and should be eradicated. (July 5-11, 2008) Alumroot Heuchera richardsonii (Saxifrage Family Saxifragaceae) a.k.a. prairie alumroot, Richardson's alumroot
richardsonii: for Sir John Richardson (1787-1865, its discoverer) Alumroot is a native perennial that grows 1 to 3 feet tall. The basal leaves are long-stalked and divided into 7 to 9 palmate lobes with 3 to 5 smaller lobes. The leaves are noticeable in mid-spring, but the flower stalk appears later. The stalked flowers grow in a loose cluster along a long stalk above the leaves, and there are usually several flower stalks per plant. The flowers are green to cream in color, and tubular. The upper surface is about 1/3 inch long and overhangs the shorter lower surface, and the stamens protrude beyond the flower lips. Alumroot will grow in dry, moderately wet to wet woodlands and prairies. The flowers bloom in June and July. Watch for it along roadsides and in prairie settings throughout the wildlife areas. A good place to find them is along Abel Road just to the west of where it intersects with Phantom Lake Road. In 1798, it was reported that Alumroot's roots have a "very intense astringent" quality. At that time it was thought to be useful in curing cancers*. In 1828 it was reported to be used by Native Americans as an "external remedy for sores, wounds, ulcers and even cancers". It may still be used medicinally today in some cultures but a warning was found stating that excessive ingestion may cause gastric irritation and kidney or liver failure. A garden variety perennial called "Coralbells" was bred over the years from Alumroot, prized for their large ornamental leaves and red, white or green bell-shaped flowers. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Figwort Scrophularia lanceolata (Snapdragon Family Scrophulariaceae) a.k.a American figwort, early figwort, lance-leaf figwort, hare figwort, carpenter's square
lanceolata: lance-shaped Figwort is a native perennial that grows 2 to 6 feet tall. The stem is square with mostly flat sides. It may be green or reddish in color. The leaves grow opposite each other on short stalks. Each leaf is lance-shaped and toothed, reminiscent of a mint leaf. The five-parted flowers are green to reddish-brown at the tips and just 1/4 to 3/8 inch long. They are tubular shaped and have 4 stamens which barely protrude from the petals. The upper lip of the flower is 2-parted and the lower lip is 3 parted with the center lobe pointing backward. The flowers cluster loosely in short branches near the top of the plant. Figwort prefers open meadows, fields, woodland and wetland edges in rocky soils. Look for it along Stolte Road at Corduroy Dike and near the rest area along North Refuge Road. The leaves and roots of Figworts have been used medicinally* "Externally, in the form of fomentation, or ointment, it is valuable in bruises, mammary inflammation, ringworm, piles, painful swelling, itch, and cutaneous eruptions of a vesicular character." *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Upright bindweed Calystegia spithamaea (Morning-glory Family Convolvulaceae) a.k.a. false low bindweed, low bindweed
A native perennial of Wisconsin, Upright bindweed grows low to the ground, with an erect stem that grows 3 to 20 inches high. The oblong leaves grow alternately up the stem on short leaf-stalks. The large five-parted flowers are usually white, but sometimes have a pinkish hue and are funnel-shaped. Each petal is shallowly lobed with large bracts and just below the mostly equal sepals. The flower usually grows at ground level below the leaf-stalk, although it sometimes grows above it.
Upright bindweed grows in dry forests, woods, fields, and likes rocky and/or sandy soils. It can be found along most roadsides throughout the wildlife areas, as well as off-road prairie habitats. There are many plants growing at the James Road/Main Dike Road intersection in the eastern part of Crex where it was burned this spring.
Morning glories are usually twining and climbing vines, found chiefly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Convilvere, the Latin root of the family name means "to twine around". Upright bindweed is one of only two members of this family native to this area. The other is Hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium, which has similar flowers but triangular leaves on vining stalks up to 10 feet long, and is found in wet disturbed sites, prairies and meadows. Other morning glories that may be found in Wisconsin (mainly in the southern part of the state) are introduced or escaped from gardens, and one, Field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, is considered invasive and should be eradicated. (June 28 - July 4, 2008) Long-headed thimbleweed Anemone cylindrica (Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae) a.k.a. candle anemone, thimbleweed, long-fruited thimbleweed, long-fruited anemone, nimbleweed
Long-headed thimbleweed is a native perennial that grows up to 3 feet tall, but usually top out at 2 feet. The basal leaves and the few leaves up the stem are stalked and deeply divided into 5 main segments, and the segments are toothed or lobed. The flower grows from a long stalk above the main whorl of leaves, and there are usually several flower stalks per plant. The flowers have white petal-like sepals, each about 1/2 inch long. The fruits develop on a dense cylinder up to 1 1/2 inch tall in the center of the flower. Another thimbleweed, A. virginiana is also found at Crex, but it has short, oval fruiting heads and only 1-3 leaves in the main whorl, while A. cylindrica has more than 3 leaves in the main whorl. Thimbleweed prefers dry, well-drained prairies and sandy areas. It blooms in June and July. The name thimbleweed comes from the shape of the fruiting head, which is initially shaped like a thimble. Some Native American tribes used the leaves for a poultice to treat burns*. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Hedge nettle Stachys palustris (Mint Family Lamiaceae) a.k.a marsh hedge-nettle, woundwort
Hedge nettle is a mostly unbranched perennial that grows up to 3 feet
tall. Like most members of the mint family, it has square, hairy
stems and opposite leaves. The stalkless leaves grow up to 5
inches long and 2 inches wide, wider at the base and pointed at the tip.
The flowers occur in several 6-flowered whorls at the top of the stem.
Typically several small leaves occur below each whorl. The whorls
are generally spaced far apart at the lower part of the stem and grow
into a denser spike towards the top. Each flower is about 1/2 inch
long with a 5 toothed, hairy, green calyx and a tubular, mottled,
pinkish-purple corolla with 2 lips.
Hedge nettle blooms from June into September, and is just beginning to bloom in the wildlife areas. It prefers wet prairies and exposed shorelines, with light shade to full sun. It can be found along many of the roadsides near waterways. It was thought that this herb could be used to heal wounds*, which is where the name "woundwort" came from. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Tall meadow rue Thalictrum dasycarpum (Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae) a.k.a. purple meadow-rue
Thalictrum: from thaliktron, a name used to describe a plant with
divided leaves, and a name given to the genus by Dioscorides, the Greek
physician and pharmacologist who wrote the Materia Medica, which
remained the leading pharmacological text for 16 centuries.
Tall meadow rue blooms in June and July. It prefers moist prairies, damp thickets and wet prairies. Look for them at Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas along the roadsides near the flowages. Some spectacular specimens can be found along Lower North Fork Flowage on Hilda's Corner Road. Gilmore (1914) wrote of Thalictrum dasycarpum that, among Teton Dakota, "the fruits on approaching maturity in August are broken off and stored away for their pleasant odor; for this purpose they are rubbed and scattered over the clothing. The Indians say the effect is enhanced by dampness. This, like all other odors used by Indians, is of slight, evanescent fragrance. They use no heavy scents; all are delicate and give a suggestion of wholesomeness and of the freedom of the uncontaminated outdoors." (June 21-27, 2008) Virginia ground-cherry Cypripedium acaule (Nightshade Family Solanaceae) a.k.a lance-leafed ground-cherry, obedient plant
The other ground-cherry on our plant list is the Clammy ground-cherry. It blooms a few weeks later than the Virginia ground-cherry. It has wider, rounder leaves, but the flower is nearly identical. The Virginia ground-cherry is a cousin of the tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica), which is used in Mexican cooking (salsa verde). I could not find any source specifically listing the Virginia ground-cherry's fruit, which looks much like it's cousin, as edible, however, the fruits of many of the other ground-cherries that grow in the US and other countries are listed as being edible, mainly cooked and put into sauces and pies, as well as being eaten raw, so it can be assumed that perhaps the fruit of the Virginia ground-cherry can be eaten too*. I will let you know (if I live that long!). *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Tufted loosestrife Lysimachia thyrsiflora (Primrose Family Primulaceae) a.k.a. swamp loosestrife
Tufted loosestrife grows in wet bogs, marshes and shallow waters. We found it growing i Crex Meadows along Main Dike Road across the road from Dikes 4 and 5 at the edges of the sedge marshes. This is a native plant, not invasive like the introduced Purple loosestrife. There are 5 native loosestrifes found at Crex and the other GLG-managed properties, all yellow, including Swamp candles, Fringed, Lowland, Whorled and Tufted loosestrife. (June 14-20, 2008) Moccasin flower Cypripedium acaule (Orchid Family Orchidacea) a.k.a pink lady's slipper
Moccasin flowers grow in dry to wet woods, swamps and pine plantations in acidic, sandy soil. Most of the flowers identified at the GLG properties were found in red pine plantations. The one pictured above is growing in the pines between the visitor center parking lot and the camp at Crex Headquarters. Native Americans used the flower for decorating their hair. In the northeast it was used as a nerve sedative*. The USDA reports that "it appears to be a gentle nervous stimulant or antispasmodic, and has been used for the same purpose as valerian." *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants.
The bright yellow flowers of this low-growing evergreen shrub are five parted, and 1/4 to 1/3 inch wide. Several flowers grow from each stem. The leaves are scale-like and barely noticeable, with dense whitish hairs.
This plant is perhaps
easily overlooked since when out of bloom it appears as a dead shrub,
which may explain why no one has added it to
We found these plants on the south end of Stolte Road in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. It probably appears in more areas, as it's preferred habitat is the sandy soils of dry beaches and inland sands. (June 7-13 2008) Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccinea (Snapdragon Family Scrophulraiaceae) a.k.a Painted cup, Prairie fire
The true flowers of the Indian paintbrush are actually yellowish in color, two-lipped and tubular. The leafy, three-lobed scarlet bracts surround the flower and are the most prominent part of the plant. The stem leaves have 3 to 5 deep lobes and the basal leaves grow in a rosette. The stem is hairy and erect. The plant may grow 8 to 20 inches high, and the "flower" may appear at any height. Indian paintbrush can be a common flower at Crex and Fish Lake during wet seasons. It was noticeably absent in 2007 when the prairies and wetlands suffered from drought. It inhabits moist meadows and blooms here from late may into early July if it's habitat remains moist. Look for this strikingly beautiful plant at Fish Lake Wildlife Area on County O west of Stolte Road and at Crex Meadows in the far eastern side along Klotts Road. It may appear at other sites, but these have been historically the most consistant. Yellow star-grass Hypoxis hirsuta (Lily Family Liliaceae) a.k.a. Stargrass, Yellow stargrass, Common Goldstar, Common Stargrass
We found this plant on Hickerson Road in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. It has also been identified at Crex Meadows near Monson Lake. It prefers dry meadows and open woods. (May 31 - June 6 2008) Wild columbine Aquilegria canadensis (Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae)
Wild columbine is a 1-2 foot tall plant with reddish stems and blueish-green leaves. The branches are slightly hairy and branched. The leaflets grow in threes and each leaf is lobed into three divisions. The flowers dangle from arching stalks along the upper half of the plant. Each flower is about 1 1/2 inches long with 5 petal-like sepals and 5 yellow tipped petals with backward-protruding hollow spurs. Yellow stamens protrude from the flower. Columbine grows in many areas of all the wildlife refuges, from dry upland prairie habitat to moist woodlands and all habitats in between. They are widespread and common. The nectar of Wild columbine is a favorite of hummingbirds and long-tongued moths such as the hummingbird moth. The hollow spurs, when broken and sucked on, produce a nectar that tastes like honey. Native Americans used the seed of Wild columbine to relieve headaches*. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. (May 24-30, 2008) Wood betony Pedicularis canadensis (Snapdragon Family Scrophulariaceae) a.k.a. Lousewort
Wood betony is found in dry to mesic prairies, open woodlands and meadows. Look for it in Crex Meadows near Abel road and Fish Lake Wildlife Area along the south end of Hickerson Road growing among hoary puccoon. (May 17-23, 2008) Bird's-foot violet Viola pedata and Prairie violet Viola pedatifida (Violet Family Violaceae)
The bird's-foot violet is one of eleven different violet species found within the GLG-managed properties. There are eight blue violets, and this is probably the most striking of them all. The bird's-foot violet's leaves are divided into three narrow segments radiating from a single point. Each main leaf segment is usually further lobed and divided. All of the leaves are on individual stalks coming from the roots. The flower is mainly a pale-blue to rich violet in color, and the ones commonly found here have a half-white lower petal. The petals are hairless on the inside.
The Bird's-foot violet is usually found on sandy, rock soils in prairies and savannahs, but can also be present on mesic, black-soiled prairies. The Prairie violet is found more often on higher-quality soils, although it can be found on sand too, as the one in this photo was (just a few feet from some Bird's-foot violets). Both violets bloom in May and June. Some areas of the country can see a fall bloom for these as well. Look for these and other violets throughout the wildlife areas in open prairie settings and along roadsides. A good spot is along North Refuge Road near Rices Lake in Crex or Jimmy Carter Road and Stolte Road in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. (April 26- May 16, 2008) Prairie Buttercup Ranunculus rhomboideus Goldie (Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae)
Look for this lovely little flower throughout the wildlife areas in open prairie settings. The one photographed above was found near the intersection of James Road and Main Dike Road at the east end of Crex Meadows Wildlife Area just last week. It blooms from mid-April into May.
(April 12-25, 2008) Pasqueflower Anemone
patens (Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae) We are continuing the Pasqueflower as the species of the week for a second week, it has started blooming April 19 and can be found near Reigel Overlook. The Pasqueflower is a lovely, short stocky perennial wildflower of rocky ridges in prairie habitat. It is one of the earliest bloomers, usually showing it's lovely blue to purple to pink to white petals in early to late April into early May. The stems and leaves of the plant are hairy throughout. The leaf is palmately-divided into fine segments, kidney-shaped in outline, basal leaves long-stalked, a whorl of stalkless leaves beneath the flower. The plant grows 4 to 16 inches tall. The flower has 5-7 parted petals 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Look for this lovely flower on the ridge west of Reigel Overlook. It may occur in other similar habitats throughout Crex Meadows, and there are a few plants that have taken root in the wildflower garden in front of the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center. In 2007 the flowers were in full bloom by April 15. This season it may be a bit later due to the cold weather and late winter, but we expect to see the flower blooming (hopefully) when this last round of snow melts. 2007 (September 8-14) Smooth Aster Aster laevis (Aster family Asteraceae)
The Smooth Aster is a
perennial growing 1 to 3 feet tall with hairless stems that may take on a
reddish hue towards the bottom. The leaves grow along the stem and
can be quite variable in size and shape. They are alternate, lanceolate to
broadly ovate to almost linear, may be smooth or toothed, are Smooth Asters prefer full to partial sun and dry to moderately moist sandy or loamy soil. They grow in prairies, woodland openings, and along roadsides. They bloom from August into October. The prairie planting walk at the Crex Meadows Visitor Center has a nice display in bloom. Look for these and other blue and white asters throughout the Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas. The prairie planting walk at the Crex Meadows Visitor Center has a nice display in bloom. (September 1-7) Spotted jewelweed Impatiens capensis (Touch -me-not Family Balsaminaceae) a.k.a orange jewelweed, orange touch-me-not, spotted touch-me-not
Spotted Jewelweed is a annual plant growing 2 to 6 feet tall with a smooth stem that branches near the top. The stems are hollow and succulent. The leaves are soft, lightly toothed and slightly like an elongated heart. The orange spotted flowers are cornucopia-shaped, with 5 petals 3/4" to 1 1/4' long, and grow at the end of thin stalks in a drooping manner. The seed capsules are about an inch long and become plump when ripe and then explode when anything touches them. This plant is closely related to the tropical impatiens that are used as bedding in shady landscapes. Spotted Jewelweed prefers wet, shady places and can be found from July through mid-September along many of the wetland edges at Crex, especially in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. Check out County Road O for a nice close-up look. They grow thickly along the ditches there. (August 25-31) Sand evening primrose Oenothera clelandii (Evening Primrose Family Onagraceae) a.k.a. Cleland's Evening Primrose (named for Ralph Erskine Cleland, 1892-1971, American botanist who studied Oenothera)
Specimens found at Fish Lake Wildlife Area this summer were only a foot or two tall and had many branches growing out in a radius from the same rootstalk. The flowers are a 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch wide, and flower from a 3-12 inch spike at the top of the stalk. The fruit is a curved, tuft-less capsule, and the long, lance-like leaf grows alternately on the stem. Sand Evening Primrose is a native species to Wisconsin, more common in the southern part of the state. Only a few specimens have been observed at Fish Lake Wildlife Area, and there is record of it being observed near the sand blow at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area. It blooms in August and September. (August 18-24) Rough blazing star Liatris aspera (Aster Family Asteraceae) a.k.a. lacerate blazing-star, tall gay-feather
The most common of the
blazing stars in this area, the Rough Blazing Star is widley variant in
it's appearance. Most commonly, it grows in a long spike, up to 4
feet tall with either hairy or smooth stems and numerous alternate,
smooth-edged leaves. The lower leaves are longest, up to 16
inches, and are as wide as 2 inches at the center. The leaves grow
shorter towards the top of the plant and usually end below the flower
spike, but, as in the photo to the left, can grow among the flower heads
as well. This usually occurs when the plant has been disturbed
(eaten, cut) before the flowers appear. Some disturbed plants grow
up in thick clusters low to Rough Blazing Star is common in prairie regions and can be found throughout Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas along the roadsides and in the dry meadows. They grow better in areas with few plants and becomes more abundant following a fire. This year the plant is extremely abundant, especially where controlled burns occurred this spring. Occasional white plants, lacking the purple pigment in both the flower and the stem, have been found here, more often in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. The plant blooms beginning in mid-July through August. The genus Liatris means "lost in antiquity" and the species aspera means "rough" or "harsh" from the coarse nature of the leaves. (August 4-10) Field Milkwort Polygala sanguinea (Milkwort Family Polygalaceae) a.k.a Blood Milkwort, Purple Milkwort
Field Milkwort is a diminutive annual that rarely grows more than a foot tall. It has slender, un-branched or few-branched stems with thin alternate leaves. The flowers grow in short, dense cylindrical heads at the top of the plant. Each individual flower is rose purple to white, and less than 1/4 inch long. they have 5 sepals, with the upper one and lower two a green color. The 2 side sepals are deep pink to white like the three small petals, which form a small tube. The Field Milkwort blooms from July to September. They prefer moist woods, fields and prairies. Fish lake Wildlife Area is a good place to find them, along the Southwest Dike road. There are four other milkworts that have been found at Crex, the Cross-leafed Milkwort Polygala cruciata, which has white flowers and is a species of special concern in Wisconsin, and the Racemed Milkwort Polygala polygama, with larger, looser flower clusters, Seneca Snakeroot Polygala senega, a taller plant with a longer-stalked cluster with rounded greenish white flowers that blooms in late spring and early summer, and Whorled Milkwort Polygala verticillata, a species similar to the snakeroot but with whorled leaves. Field Milkwort is more common in this area than all of the others. The Milkwort's genus Polygalaceae is derived from the Greek word polys, "many or much," and gala, "milk," since it was thought that the presence of some of the species in a pasture increased the yield of cow's milk. The species name sanguinea is Latin for blood red. (July 28 - August 3) Giant Sunflower Helianthus giganteus (Aster Family Asteraceae) a.k.a. Swamp Sunflower, Tall Sunflower
The Giant Sunflower is a tall sunflower growing up to 6 feet tall with reddish-purple stems. The leaves are opposite on the lower stem, alternate on the upper branches, flat, narrow, and at least 3 times as long as they are wide. The yellow heads grow one per branch, and are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. They have 10-20 pointed yellow rays surrounding a yellow disk of small 5-lobed tubular flowers. The Giant Sunflower blooms from mid-summer into fall. They are occasional, preferring open sites near water. Fish lake Wildlife Area is a good place to find them, along Stolte and Hickerson Roads along the dikes. Many other sunflower species can also be found at Crex Meadows, Fish Lake and Amsterdam Sloughs, including Maximilian's, Western, Stiff, Prairie and Rough-leaved sunflowers. The Sunflower's genus Helianthus is derived from two Greek words helios, "sun," and anthos, "flower," in reference to the sunflower's supposed tendency to always turn toward the sun. Spotted Joe-Pye-weed Eupatorium maculatum (Aster Family Asteraceae) a.k.a. Thouroughwort
Spotted Joe-Pye-weed is a perennial plant native to this area. It blooms from late spring to early fall, but seems to be in full bloom in this area from mid July to early August. It is very common along the edges of waterways and wetlands. It can be found throughout all of our Wildlife Areas where there is water. The swamp milkweed is common in the same habitat as Spotted Joe-Pye-weed, but it blooms earlier in the summer and has long, slender leaves and green stems that can sometimes be purplish only just below the flower head. The genus Eupatorium is derived from the Greek name Mithridates Eupator, King of Pontus about 115BC who is said to have discovered an antidote to a commonly used poison in one of the species. (July 21-27) Prairie Blazing Star Liatris pycnostachya (Aster Family Asteraceae)
Priaire Blazing Star blooms from mid-summer into fall. They are a common plant in tallgrass prairies. These are just beginning to bloom here and can be found throughout the wildlife areas, but a sure spot for them is the prairie at the intersections of Phantom Lake Road, Abel Road and Main Dike Road in Crex Meadows. Blue Vervain Verbena hastata (Vervain Family Verbenaceae)
Blue Vervain is very common along the edges of waterways and wetlands. It can be found throughout all of our Wildlife Areas where there is water. Look for it especially along Phantom Lake Road and main Dike Road in Crex. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries*. It was used as a expectorant and it was said to "heal a green wound within 24 hours"7. Another Vervain growing in this area, the Hoary Vervain Verbena stricta, which has larger, thicker spikes with pinker flowers, is noted as being bitter-tasting and is avoided by livestock and can become abundant in overgrazed uplands. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. (July 14-20) Silky prairie clover Dalea villosa (Bean Family Fabaceae) a.k.a. Downy Prairie Clover
Although much more common
in prairie states to our west such as the Dakotas, Silky Prairie Clover
is a species of Special Concern in the state of Wisconsin, occurring in
only a handful of counties along the west central border. It
prefers dry, sandy soils in prairie habitats.
There are a few plants to be found in this area, although their location is hard to pinpoint. If you are lucky enough to find one, please take precaution not to disturb the plant so it can have a chance to propagate and become more common in our area. It is never OK to dig up or even pick wildflowers and other plant species in State-owned wildlife areas. View them, photograph them, and then leave them behind so that others can enjoy them too. (July 7-13) Wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa (Mint family Lamiaceae) a.k.a. Beebalm, Horsemint, Lemon-mint, Purple bergamot
Wild Bergamot grows throughout Crex Meadows and the surrounding area. It can be found along most roadsides and in the prairies. It blooms from mid-June through early fall in this area. The Ojibwa used the root as a stomach pain-relieving tea*. The scent of the plant is reminiscent of of the oil of the Mediterranean Bergamot tree which is used a a flavoring for Earl Gray tea. Thoreau wrote of the plant, "At roadside opposite Leighton's, just this side of his barn, Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot, nearly done, with terminal whorls and fragrance mixed of balm and summer savory." *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata (Water-hyacinth Family Pontederiaceae)
Pickerelweed is common throughout the waterways of Crex and Fish Lake, growing in the shallow muddy shorelines. A good place to see them is along the dike road at Phantom Lake, especially the southern end. It blooms from mid-summer into early fall. Native Americans called Pickerelweed Wampi and they used the seeds as a food source eaten directly or ground into a flour*. In Britian it was widely thought that young pike (called Pickerel) were products of Pickerelweed, that the parents both ate the weed and bred on them, which is most likely where the common name came from. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. (June 30-July 6) Lead plant Amorpha canescens (Bean family Fabaceae) aka. Prairie Shoestring, Shoestrings, False Indigo, Leadwort, Wild Tea
Lead Plant's beauty is in it's complexity. It's leaves are stalked and divided into as many as 51 narrow leaflets, each up to 3/4" long and 1/2" wide. The plant can be single-stemmed or contain a few branches, and can grow up to 3 feet tall. The small gray to violet purple flowers grow in dense clusters at the top of the stems. Each flower has a tiny, hairy, green group of 5 sepals and a single 1/4" long purple petal curling around the 10 protruding orange-tipped stamens1. Lead Plant is abundant in this area and can be readily found throughout all of the properties managed by the Crex crew. It grows in well-drained prairies, savannahs and roadsides. It begins blooming in late -June and will continue through mid-July. A great place to find large groupings of Lead Plant is the west end of North Refuge Road. Some of the plants there are growing as large shrubs, 3 feet tall. Parts of this plant have been used as medicine and a yellow tea can be made from the leaves*. The scientific name Amorpha comes from the Greek amorphos, meaning "deformed" because of the absence of four of the petals on the flower7. It was once thought that the plant indicated the presence of lead7, but it is most likely named for the usual color of the flowers, appearing a lead-colored gray at first glance. *Crex Meadows, the Friends of Crex, and the WI DNR does not recommend ingesting wild plants without first researching their uses and preparation. We cannot take any responsibility for the actions of those who read the plant descriptions on this website. Please consult a accredited plant expert for more information on medicinal and herbal uses of wild plants. Prairie larkspur Delphinium carolinianum (Buttercup family Ranunculaceae)
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Veronicastrum: in honor of St.
Veronica
Solidago: from Latin solido, meaning
"to make whole or heal" and a reference to the supposed, medicinal
qualities of these plants
Helianthemum: from the Greek helios, "sun," and anthemon, "flower,"
because the flowers open only in the sun 
Potentilla: comes from the Latin diminutive of potens meaning "powerful"
in reference to the medicinal properties of some species 
Calystegia:
from two Greek words kalux, "cup," and stegos, "a covering," and thus
meaning "a covering cup" (?)
Heuchera:
after Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677-1747) professor of medicine and
botanist at Wittenberg, Germany 
Scrophularia:
named in 1474 by an Italian physician who noticed the resemblance
between the rhizomal knobs of some species and the tubercular condition
of human lymph nodes called scrophula 
Calystegia:
from two Greek words kalux, "cup," and stegos, "a covering," and thus
meaning "a covering cup" (?)
Anemone:
an ancient Greek name from anemos, "wind"
Stachys: from the Greek
stachus for "ear of grain" or "a spike," in reference to the spike-like
form of the flowers.
The upper lip is hooded and 2-lobed, while the broader lower lip is
3-lobed. This lower lip is used as a landing pad for pollinating
insects, mostly long-tongued bees such as bumblebees, Miner bees, Little
carpenter bees, among others. 
This tall plant of woodland edges and wetlands grows 3 to 5 feet tall.
The stems are often purple, which gives it the name "purple meadow rue"
in some areas. The leaves of Tall meadow rue are alternate
and compound, with 3 parts divided three to five times. The
leaflets are 1 to 2 1/2 times as long as they are wide and mostly 3
lobed (Like other rues). The flowers of Tall meadow rue are
individually stalked, green to white in color and are found in clusters
near the top of the plant. Male and female parts grow on separate
plants. Both are 1/3 inch wide and have 4 to 5 white to pale
purplish petal-like sepals. The male flowers have many threadlike
stamens, and the female flowers have a small bur-like head of ovaries
with a tiny fuzzy stigma. (The one in the photo has male flowers). 
The
Virginia ground-cherry is an erect perennial that grows 12-24 inches
tall. The stems are forked, and the upper parts have stiff hairs.
This ground cherry has elongated lance-shaped leaves. As with the
other ground-cherries of the area, the five-petaled flower is dull
yellow on the edges and outsides of the petals, with a reddish-brown
center. It is funnel-shaped, When observed from above, the flowers
nod towards the ground. Only when the flower is lifted can the
inside be observed (which makes it sort of difficult to photograph
without making some non-natural adjustments). The fruit is a
small, yellow, and reminiscent of a tomato, and is wrapped in a
paper-like husk consisting of five 
The yellow flowers of this 1 to 2 1/2 foot perrenial are six-parted, and
1/3 inch wide. The petals are linear, with black marks, and the
separate stamens are twice as long as the petals. The flowers grow
in dense round clusters spreading from the middle leaf axils. The
leaves are dotted and narrowly lance-like.
The Moccasin flower is an erect perrenial that rows 8 to 16 inches tall.
There are only basal leaves, two of them, that are oblong and have
pointed tips. Each leaf is heavily ribbed and clasp the hairy
stem. The solitary pink flower is a six-parted pouch that is 1 1/2
to 2 1/3 inches long. It has red or dark-pink veins and is hairy inside.
The sepalas and petals are brownish with green stripes.
False Heather
Hudsonia tomentosa (Rock-rose Family Cistaceae) a.k.a. Wooly
beach-heather
the GLG plant list before now. It has not previously been
indentified on the GLG properties but is known to be present in Burnett
County. 
This
diminutive yellow flower is similar to blue-eyed grass in habitat and
appearance, with a great difference in color. It's leaves are
grass-like, with spreading hairs, and grow 4 to 12 inches long. The
yellow flower appears when the plant is 3 to 6 inches high. The flowers
are 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide and have 6 petals. There are 2 to 6
flowers per plant in an irregular long-staked cluster.
As
you drive through the wildlife areas over the next several weeks you may
notice a shortish plant with red flowers loosely scattered across the
plant. Upon closer examination, you will find one of the most
striking flowers that grow in this area.
Wood betony is a partially parasitic plant that grows in large clumps.
The leaves are deeply lobed and appear fern-like. Basal leaves
grow up to 6 inches long. The flowers grow on the top of the hairy
stems in a dense cluster. Each flower is directly above a small
leaf-like bract, and is about 1 inch long with a hairy green calyx with
a slanting mouth and a pale yellow, tubular 2-lipped corolla.
The 5 large orange stamens of the Bird's foot violet are prominent in
the center of this flower, which differs from the similar prairie violet
(viola pedatifida) which is densely bearded with hairs on the
lower half of their inside surfaces with no protruding stamens.
The Prairie violet's leaves are also divided into three segments with
further segmentation of each leaf segment. The flower is violet
purple in color. 
The
prairie buttercup is a native prairie plant that grows in full to
partial sun in dry prairies and woodlands. It is a small perennial
that grows only 2 to 8 inches tall. It is hairy throughout, with
long, soft hairs on the leaves and stems. The basal leaves are up
to 2 inches long and about as wide, with coarse, rounded teeth or even,
small lobes. There are usually several individually staked flowers
per plant. Each flower is about 3/4 inch side with 5 small, hairy
sepals and 5 yellow petals surrounding many yellow stamens.
Like
all asters, the blue asters are difficult to positively identify, so I
will focus on the most common blue aster found in this area. Most of
the true asters hybridize with each other, which makes everything even
more confusing. But regardless of their true identity, the blue
asters, when in fresh bloom, display breathtaking hues of blue and purple.
thick and firm, and clasp the stem. They can be up to 4 inches long and .8
inch wide, but are usually smaller. There are usually no leaves at
the top of the stems where the flower branches begin. The 15 to 25
ray petals are bluish to pale-purple and 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch long. The
flowers grow on short thin stems and each plant may have a few or many
flowers, varying in size from 2/3" to 1 1/4 inch in diameter. The
center disks are yellow or orange-brown (possibly from hybridization).
At first glance, the Sand
Evening Primrose is very similar to the Common Evening Primrose, which
is widespread at Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas. But a
closer look (you have to get out of the car and look at it up close!)
will tell you that this species has many differences, most conspicuously
the shape of the flower. The Common Evening Primrose flower has
heart-shaped petals, while the Sand Evening Primrose has diamond-shaped
to
oval-shaped petals. Also, while the Common Evening Primrose can
grow up to 9 feet tall (but the plant is seen in many shapes and sizes,
from short and stubby with many branches to tall with one or few
branches) the Sand Evening Primrose rarely grows over 3 feet tall.
the ground. The flower heads grow alternately at the top of each
stem, and are about an inch wide or smaller. There are 16 to 35
small purple disk flowers, each with a small corolla of 5 lobes and 2
conspicuous thin styles.
These
plants grow up to 7 feet tall with unbranched stems that are spotted
purple or purple throughout. The leaves are widely spaced in
whorls of 4 to 6 leaves. The leaves are coarsely toothed and is
widest at the middle and can grow up to 9 inches long and 3 inches wide.
The flower heads are in a flat or slightly rounded cluster at or near
the top of the plant. The flower head is narrow, less than 1/2
inch wide. It has one to two dozen flowers which are pink to
purplish with thin purple styles extending from each flower when in full
bloom.
These
slender, spike-like plants can grow up to 5 feet tall. They have
grass-like leaves and hairy stems. The lower leaves are longest,
up to 1 foot long and 1/2 inch wide, and the leaves grow progressively
shorter and thinner towards the top of the stem. The flower heads
grow in a dense spike at the top of each stem, the spike can be anywhere
from a few inches to a foot and a half long. Each flower head has
5 to 10 5-lobed purple flowers, with 2 prominent purple styles coming
from each flower. A similar species, Marsh Blazing Star Liatris
spicata also blooms in this area during the same time, but it has
smooth, hairless stems and the bracts at the base of each flower head
are flat against the head and bluntly rounded, while the bracts of the
Prairie Blazing Star are pointed and curve outward. 
These
plants grow up to 6 feet tall and have erect branches and opposite
leaves. The pointed, toothed leaves can grow as long as 7
inches and about 2 inches wide. The larger leaves may have 2
toothed lobes at the base. There are many erect flowering spikes
growing in a cluster at the top of each plant. The flowers are
purplish or blue and are less than 1/4 inch wide. They have a
small 5-toothed green calyx and a 5-lobed blue to purple corolla.
The flowers bloom a few at a time from the bottom of the
This
beautiful flower is closely related to Lead Plant in it's leaf
structure, although the leaves are a much lighter, mossier green
overall. It has 11-17 narrow, elliptical leaflets divided into an
odd number. The plant stands 12-24 inches tall and has light
purple to pink flowering spikes at the end of a long stem. The
flowers are five-parted and bloom from the bottom of the spike to the
top over several days. 
Wild
Bergamot is a fragrant mint that grows up to 5 feet tall. It's
stems are square with a few to many branches, and the upper stems are
usually hairy. The toothed leaves grow opposite each other and can
grow up to 5 inches long and 
Pickerelweed
is a water plant that grows up to 3 feet tall and has long,
thick-stalked triangular leaves that grow up to 8 inches long and 3 1/2
inches wide. They are heart-shaped and taper into a blunt tip.
There is one smaller but similarly shaped leaf and a clasping sheath
just below the flower. The flowers grow in clusters at the top of
each plant and are 1/2 inch long. They have 3 narrow lower lobes
and 3 upper lobes with 2 bright yellow spots on the center lobe. 3
thin, curving stamens grow from the center of the flower.
