Shortgrass Prairie Region Plant Viewing Tips

© Courtesy Strickland, Sam C., 1. Go to where the habitat is — visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Buffalo Grass Bouteloua dactyloides state parks and other public spaces. Height: 3 - 10 in. Description: Perennial, low- 2. Do your homework — learn what growing grass with flag-like, species grow in the area. one-sided seed stalks. Habitat: Dry grasslands 3. Think about timing — check what is Blooms: May - July Viewing: Statewide, especially blooming in the area this time of year. in west 4. Consult an expert — join in on a The shortgrass prairie region includes guided plant hike to learn where to Plants Threadleaf Sedge the southwestern corner and Panhandle of find the best blooms. Carex filifolia Height: 4 - 20 in. Nebraska. This area is made up of short to 5. Leave no trace — leave wildlife in Description: Perennial grass mixed grass prairie and the Pine Ridge. The nature and nature the way you of the with reddish sheath, flowers located on 1 in. spike on top shortgrass prairie is the driest and warmest found it. of stem. of the Great Plains grasslands. Habitat: Well-drained grasslands Blooms: April - June This region receives an average of 12 - Terms to Know Nebraska Viewing: West to central 17 inches of rainfall annually and consists Annual Plant — One year lifecycle of buffalo grass and blue grama. The Pine Ponderosa Pine Ridge is found in northwestern Nebraska Shortgrass Pinus ponderosa Biennial Plant — Two-year lifecycle Height: 60 - 100 ft. and is dominated by ponderosa pine. More Description: Long-lived pine tree than 300 species of migratory and resident Perennial Plant — More than two with 3 - 5 in. needles that grow Prairie in clusters of 3, devoid of lower birds can be found in the shortgrass prairie year lifecycle branches, produces large cones. Habitat: Rocky, well-drained region, as well as a variety of mammals, Alternating Leaves forests plants, reptiles, insects and other species. Blooms: April - June, biannually One leaf attached per node Viewing: Panhandle, Pine Ridge Identification Rocky Mountain Juniper Opposite Leaves Juniperus scopulorum Guide Height: 12 - 36 ft. A pair of leaves Description: Long-lived ever- attached per node green, often with irregular crown, produces white-blue berries. Habitat: Rocky, well-drained outcrops at elevations to 7,500 ft. Whorled Leaves Blooms: April - May Viewing: Panhandle, Pine Ridge Several leaves attached per node OutdoorNebraska.org Yucca Wild Alfalfa Nuttall’s Violet Broom Snakeweed Yucca glauca Psoralea tenuiflorum Viola nuttallii Gutierrezia sarothrae Height (Leaf): 16 - 30 in. Height: 12 - 36 in. Height: 1 - 3 in. Height: 12 - 36 in. Description: Perennial with rosette Description: Perennial, gray hairs Description: Short perennial with Description: Perennial that is bushy of stiff, sharp leaves. on stem and alternating leaves, 1 - 3 in. leaves and yellow flowers and shrub-like with numerous Flowers grow from central stalk flower stalks with purple pea-like with five petals and three red- branches, alternating leaves, and that can reach 5 ft. high. blooms. brown lower nectar lines. clusters of small yellow flowers at Habitat: Dry prairie Habitat: Dry uplands Habitat: Dry prairie the end of branches. Blooms: Late May - mid July Blooms: May - July Blooms: April - September Habitat: Dry prairie, rocky outcrops Viewing: Statewide Viewing: Statewide except Viewing: West, excluding Sandhills Blooms: Mid July - September northeast Viewing: West to central Plains Prickly Pear Dotted Gayfeather Wild Begonia Plains Sunflower Opuntia polyacantha Liatris punctata Rumex venosus Helianthus petiolaris Height: 8+ in. Height: 12 - 30 in. Height: 4-12 in. Height: 20 - 60 in. Description: Cactus with stems in Description: Perennial with tall Description: Perennial, with Description: Annual sunflower round jointed pads or segments, stems, usually growing in a cluster, alternating leaves, inconspicuous with yellow disk flowers are covered in clusters of spines, yellow numerous alternating leaves, and green flowers and showy crimson about 3 in. across and have red- flowers with overlapping petals. pink/purple flowers along top third winged fruit. brown centers, tall hairy stems Habitat: Dry prairie of stem. Habitat: Sandy, disturbed soils alternating leaves. Blooms: June - July Habitat: Dry prairie Blooms: Late May - July Habitat: Dry soil Viewing: Panhandle Blooms: August - October Viewing: Statewide except SE, Blooms: Late June - September Viewing: Statewide common in Sandhills and Panhandle Viewing: Statewide Showy Milkweed Narrowleaf Penstemon White Prairie-clover Needle and Thread Grass Asclepias speciosa Penstemon angustifolius Dalea candida Hesperostipa comata Height: 18 - 36 in. Height: 8 - 24 in. Height: 12 - 24 in. Height: 12 - 24 in. Description: Perennial with non- Description: Perennial with 1 - 5 Description: Perennial with tall Description: Perennial tufted bunch branching stem, leaves 3 - 7 in. long stems with thick leaves positioned stem and alternating leaves, 1 - 2 grass with 4 - 5 in. awn that when positioned opposite each other opposite up stalk and blue/violet in. flower head with circles of small it detaches with the pointed seed along stem, clusters of small pink- tubular flowers with lobbed edges. white blooms that advance from it resembles a needle and thread. white-colored flowers on top. Habitat: Prairie to open pine bottom to top. Habitat: Well-drained grasslands Habitat: Moist, sandy soil woodland Habitat: Dry prairie Blooms: June Blooms: Mid June - late August Blooms: May - June Blooms: May - September Viewing: West to central Viewing: West to central Viewing: West to central Viewing: Statewide Missouri Goldenrod Geyer’s Larkspur Upright Prairie Coneflower Blue Grama Solidago missouriensis Delphinium geyeri Ratibida columnifera Bouteloua gracilis Height: 12 - 36 in. Height: 12 - 24 in. Height: 12 - 24 in. Height: 10 - 20 in. Description: Perennial with a Description: Perennial with Description: Perennial with tall Description: Perennial, densely smooth, tall stem with alternating reddish stems, low growing stem with stiff hairs and alternating tufted bunchgrass, seed head sits leaves and small yellow flowers leaves and a flower spike with leaves, yellow to red flower with at top of stem and when mature it along top branches. 6 - 30 deep blue blooms. gray head that turns brown as it is curved, resembling an eyebrow. Habitat: Dry prairie Habitat: Shortgrass prairie matures. Habitat: Well-drained grasslands Blooms: July - September Blooms: June - July Habitat: Dry prairie Blooms: June - August Viewing: Statewide Viewing: Southern Panhandle Blooms: July - September Viewing: Statewide Viewing: Statewide

3/19 ds 2018-76936