Photos / Sounds
What
Water Birch (Betula occidentalis)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Previously unlisted on the park's official species list.
Photos / Sounds
What
Checkered White (Pontia protodice)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
2nd restoration plot
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow Sunflower Moth (Stiria rugifrons)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
I photographed this moth when I came in at 7:40 a.m. to open the park. It was on the front door of the visitor center.
Photos / Sounds
What
Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Gravelly, dry prairie soil
Flowers: Salmon-brick red with yellow center, 5 petals, leafy spikes have 4-6 flowers.
Height: 4-12 inches
Blooms: Late May to Late July
Family name: Mallow
Other names: Red falsemallow
Plant uses and interesting facts: One of the most drought resistant prairie plants, it sheds its leaves during drought. Dakota medicine men coated their hands and arms with the paste of this plant to painlessly pick meat out of scalding water.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tatarian Blue Lettuce (Lactuca tatarica)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Blue lettuce
Has powdery blue flowers which are visible June through September.
Habitat: Gravel pits, margins of roads, and fields where soil is fairly heavy and moist.
Distribution: Eastern Great Plains
Height: 1 to 3 feet tall
Interesting fact: in 1813 this plant was first described for science by Thomas Nuttall. He visited Mandan villages along the Missouri River in 1810-1811.
Photos / Sounds
What
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide, more common in the southern counties.
Habitat: Uplands and lowlands of tallgrass prairie.
Description: Tall, warm-season perennial sod grass. Large teardrop shaped spikelets arranged in 6-18 inch long, open spikes.
Height: Up to 40 inches
Plant uses and interesting facts: Farming and grazing have reduced switchgrass. It is often used in prairie restoration with other tallgrass species and forbs. It provides excellent cover for nesting birds and usually remains standing tall in winter to also serve as winter cover.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Upland prairies, on weakly developed, calcareous and fine textured soils.
Description: Warm-season midgrass. Seeds are arranged in one-sided spikes, which hang down along the stem. Plant may be slight reddish in late summer and fall.
Height: 8-24 inches
Plant uses and interesting facts: Sideoats grama gets its name from its one sided seed spikes. It is commonly used in seed mixtures to restore native grasslands.
Photos / Sounds
What
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Lowlands, tallgrass prairies
Description: Warm season perennial. Each stalk produces one or more, 3 to 6 fingered "turkey foot" spikes approximately 1 1/2 to 4 inches long. The plant is green throughout the summer and turns rusty red with maturity.
Height: 3 to 7 feet
Plant uses and interesting facts: Typifies the tall grass prairie. Omaha-Ponca Indians would use big bluestem to support earthen roofs.
Photos / Sounds
What
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Upland, rocky prairies and hillsides.
Blooms: Early July to Mid August.
Family name: Legume (Fabaceae)
Plant uses and interesting facts: Common in prairie restorations. Sometimes purple prairie clover can be an important component in prairie hay.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flodman's Thistle (Cirsium flodmanii)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Canada Thistle has become the most wide spread invasive weed in North Dakota.
Long lived perennial with an extensive root system that can grow laterally 12-15 feet per year.
Leaves are oblong, usually deeply cut and have spiny-toothed edges.
Flowers range from purple to rose and sometimes white. Male and female flowers are produced on different plants.
Canada thistle was listed in 1885 by Dakota Territory as "required of every person to destroy this weed."
Photos / Sounds
What
Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Dry, open places such as upland prairie, road ditches and railway rights-of-way.
Flowers: Pale blue in color, small (1inch), 5 petals with radiating lines of lighter blue flowers in loose clusters.
Height: 10 - 24 inches
Blooms: Mid-May to late July
Plant uses and interesting facts: Named after Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Photos / Sounds
What
Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)Observer
knri_socialmediaDescription
Maximilian sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
Habitat:
Bloom: Mid June - Late September
Uses and interesting facts: Excellent songbird and deer food. Is an indicator of well managed range lands.
Distinguished from other sunflowers by its leaves, which are folded lengthwise and curved downward.
