The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest

a bur oak guide

The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide toSeed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest

by dave williamsillustrated by brent butler

Published for the Tallgrass Prairie Center

by the University of Iowa Press, Iowa City

University of Iowa Press, Iowa City 52242 Copyright © 2010 by the Tallgrass Prairie Center www.uiowapress.org Printed in Canada

Design by April Leidig-Higgins

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. All reasonable steps have been taken to contact copyright holders of material used in this book. The publisher would be pleased to make suitable arrangements with any whom it has not been possible to reach.

The University of Iowa Press is a member of Green Press Initiative and is committed to preserving natural resources.

Printed on acid-free paper

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Williams, Dave (David Wayne), 1961– The Tallgrass Prairie Center guide to seed and seed-ling identification in the Upper Midwest / by Dave Williams; illustrated by Brent Butler. — 1st ed. p. cm. — (A Bur Oak guide) Includes index. isbn-13: 978-1-58729-902-5 (pbk.)isbn-10: 1-58729-902-x (pbk.) 1. Prairie plants — Seeds — Middle West — Identification. 2. Forbs — Seeds — Middle West — Identification. 3. Grasses — Seeds — Middle West — Identification. 4. Seedlings — Middle West — Identification. I. Butler, Brent, 1978– II. Tallgrass Prairie Center. III. Title. IV. Title: Guide to seed and seedling identification in the Upper Midwest. V. Series: Bur Oak guide. qk128.w55 2010581.7'440978 — dc22 2010000528

To my wife, Maureen,

for her encouragement, patience,

and editorial advice

and to Rob, Clair, and Kayee

for their willingness to venture

into wild places with Dad

— Dave Williams

To my late grandfather, James Butler,

for showing me the beauty of Iowa

roadsides on our summer trips,

and to my father-in-law, Bob Athen,

whose conservation efforts continue

to inspire me

— Brent Butler

About This Book ix

About the Photographs xi

Acknowledgments xi

part oneForbs Identification Guide

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 1Leadplant, Amorpha canescens 7

New Jersey tea, Ceanothus americanus 8

Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea 9

Round-headed bush clover,

Lespedeza capitata 10

Showy tick trefoil,

Desmodium canadense 11

White prairie clover, Dalea candida 12

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 2Cream false indigo, Baptisia bracteata 15

Milk vetch, Astragalus canadensis 16

Partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata 17

White wild indigo, Baptisia alba 18

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 3Flowering spurge, Euphorbia corollata 21

Grass-leaved goldenrod,

Euthamia graminifolia 22

New England aster,

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 23

White sage, Artemisia ludoviciana 24

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 4Butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa 29

Culver’s root,

Veronicastrum virginicum 30

Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata 31

Prairie phlox, Phlox pilosa 32

Prairie sunflower,

Helianthus pauciflorus 33

Saw-tooth sunflower,

Helianthus grosseserratus 34

Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata 35

Tall boneset, Eupatorium altissimum 36

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 5Blue vervain, Verbena hastata 41

Common mountain mint,

Pycnanthemum virginianum 42

Hairy mountain mint,

Pycnanthemum pilosum 43

Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta 44

Ox-eye sunflower,

Heliopsis helianthoides 45

Prairie coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata 46

Slender mountain mint,

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium 47

Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa 48

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 6Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta 53

Bottle gentian, Gentiana andrewsii 54

Canada anemone, Anemone canadensis 55

Compass plant, Silphium laciniatum 56

Foxglove beardtongue,

Penstemon digitalis 57

Fragrant coneflower,

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 58

Golden alexanders, Zizia aurea 59

Gray-headed coneflower,

Ratibida pinnata 60

Great blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica 61

contents

Heath aster, Symphyotrichum ericoides 62

Old field goldenrod, Solidago nemoralis 63

Pale purple coneflower,

Echinacea pallida 64

Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum 65

Prairie violet, Viola pedatifida 66

Rosinweed, Silphium integrifolium 67

Showy goldenrod, Solidago speciosa 68

Smooth blue aster,

Symphyotrichum laeve 69

Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale 70

Stiff goldenrod, Oligoneuron rigidum 71

Thimbleweed, Anemone cylindrica 72

Wild quinine, Parthenium integrifolium 73

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 7Ohio spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis 77

Prairie blazing star,

Liatris pycnostachya 78

Prairie onion, Allium stellatum 79

Prairie spiderwort,

Tradescantia bracteata 80

Rattlesnake master,

Eryngium yuccifolium 81

Rough blazing star, Liatris aspera 82

Wild garlic, Allium canadense 83

part twoGrasses Identification Guide

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 1Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii 91

Bluejoint grass,

Calamagrostis canadensis 92

Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans 93

Little bluestem,

Schizachyrium scoparium 94

Side-oats grama,

Bouteloua curtipendula 95

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 2Canada wild rye, Elymus canadensis 99

Virginia wild rye, Elymus virginicus 100

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 3June grass, Koeleria macrantha 105

Kalm’s bromegrass, Bromus kalmii 106

Prairie cord grass, Spartina pectinata 107

Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis 108

Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum 109

Tall dropseed, Sporobolus compositus 110

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 4Porcupine grass, Hesperostipa spartea 113

Glossary 115

Index 117

When settlers crossed the tallgrass prairie, they were greeted by a vibrant, seemingly endless landscape of wild-flowers, grasses, and sedges. These plants created a mosaic of colors and textures that extended from Canada to Texas and from the eastern Dakotas to parts of Indiana and Ohio. The tallgrass prairie was one of the most diverse eco-systems on our planet. Over the eons, its plants adapted to severe cold winters and hot dry summers to leave a legacy of the most productive soils on earth. Today, the tallgrass prairie has been re-duced to small, isolated fragments found in rights-of-way, cemeteries, and areas too steep, rocky, or awkward to farm. The goal of this guide is twofold. First, it should provide interesting in-formation about the depth and breadth of native forbs and grasses of the prairie to encourage readers to consider using tallgrass prairie seed and/or live plants for their next planting projects. Second, this guide will aid in the identification of seedling plants as they emerge from the soil. The definition of a seedling plant is somewhat arbitrary. The challenge for us in writing this guide was to produce seedlings that were close in size and de-velopmental stage to that of field-grown seedlings near the end of their first growing season. To accomplish this, we grew plants in the greenhouse for four to six weeks. A few species such as Canada anemone, Culver’s root, and prairie smoke needed a few extra weeks because their seed took longer to germinate and their growth was much slower. Keep in mind that as most plants

mature, they undergo a series of mor-phological changes, and their unique seedling characteristics can appear and disappear in a few short weeks. Seedling identification can be greatly enhanced by watching these early changes as the plants mature. This guide organizes seedling plants into two groups: forbs and grasses. As-sociated with each group is a line draw-ing of a seedling with its most important parts highlighted. Remember those parts, because seedling identification is nothing more than finding them — or not finding them — in a key. Seedlings are therefore grouped by their key char-acteristics, not by their species or in alphabetical order. There are seven key characteristic groups for forbs and four for grasses, representing seventy-two different species. To identify an unknown tallgrass prairie seedling, you’ll first find its key characteristics, using the appropriate line drawing in conjunction with the guidance provided in the forbs and grasses identification sections on pages 2–3 and 86–87. Sometimes you may need to roll a stem between your fingers or look through a hand lens to find certain details. You’ll be guided step by step, through a process of elimination, to that one of the eleven characteristic groups in the book that best fits your unknown seedling. Look through the section where plants with those characteristics are shown until you find the right one. It’s that simple! Red circles and yellow and blue trian-gles will also aid in seedling identifica-tion. The red circle on each full seedling

about this book

x

photograph corresponds to the area of the close-up photograph. In addition, small yellow and blue triangles in the close-up correspond to the bullet points marked with the colored triangles. These will help you pinpoint the key characteristics. Also included are line drawings of leaf types, leaf shapes, leaf arrangements, leaf margins, a glossary of botanical terms, and an index of com-mon and scientific names. We have used The Vascular Plants of Iowa: An Annotated Checklist and Natural History by Lawrence J. Eilers and Dean M. Roosa (1994), An Illus-trated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants by

Paul Christiansen and Mark Müller (1999), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Data-base at http://plants.usda.gov for species selection and binomial nomenclature. Where the Flora of North America North of Mexico and The Flora of Nebraska by Robert B. Kaul, David Sutherland, and Steven Rolfsmeier (2007) provide up-dated nomenclature, we have included the older names in brackets in the index. We are glad you are interested in the tallgrass prairie, and we hope this guide will deepen your appreciation and aware-ness of the unique beauty of our natural landscape.

about the photographs

Seedlings were photographed by Dave Williams, David O’Shields, and Brent Butler. An 8-megapixel digital Canon Rebel XT camera with a 100mm macro lens attached was used for full seedling photographs. A series of 12, 20, and 36mm extension tubes were attached to the same camera and lens for the close-ups. With some species, multiple seedlings were used to get the very best close-up shots. A tripod and light table were used for all photographs.

acknowledgments

We thank all who provided the con-sultation, funding, and equipment to complete this guide. The photographic expertise and advice of Jeffery Byrd were invaluable. The very best photographs were a result of David O’Shields’s eye for angle, light, and picture clarity. We thank Maureen Collins-Williams and Holly Carver for their editing of mul-tiple manuscript drafts. Many thanks to the University of Northern Iowa’s Tallgrass Prairie Center Director Daryl Smith for providing the equipment and allowing us the time to pursue this project. This guide was funded by the United States Department of Agricul-ture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

part one

Forbs Identification Guide

petiole

leaf blade

alternate opposite

leaflikehairlike

cuspidate(pointed)

roundedemarginate(notched)

basal leaf cluster

stipule type

leaf arrangement

leaf(let) tip types

leaf typeleaflet

simple compound

odd-pinnatecompound

even-pinnatecompound

root branch

cotyledon(s)

primary root

stem

stipule(s)

petiole

midvein

leaflet blade

leaf tip

compound leaf

leaf blade

simple leaf

3

1. Startwithavisualinspectiontodetermineifyourunknownseedlinghasastemorisabasalclusterofleaves.

a.Stempresent:gotostep2 b.Stemabsent:gotostep6

2.Rollthestembetweenyourfingerstodetermineifitisroundorhasanedge.

a.Roundstem:gotostep3 b.Edgedstem:gotokeycharacteristic

group5,page38

3.Lookforstipulesnearthebaseofthepetiole(ahandlensmaybeneeded).

a.Stipulespresent:gotostep4 b.Stipulesabsent:gotostep5

4.Determineifstipulesarehairlikeorleaflike.

a.Stipulesarehairlike:gotokey characteristicgroup1,page4

b.Stipulesareleaflike:gotokey characteristicgroup2,page13

5.Determineifleavesarearrangedalternateoroppositeonthestem.

a.Alternateleafarrangement:goto keycharacteristicgroup3,page19

b.Oppositeleafarrangement:goto keycharacteristicgroup4,page26

6.Doestheseedlingappeargrasslike? a.No,doesnotappeargrasslike:goto

keycharacteristicgroup6,page49 b.Yes,appearsgrasslike:gotokey

characteristicgroup7,page74

Welcometotheforbsidentificationsection.Mostprairieplantsareperennialandgrowslowly(aboveground)inthefirstgrowingseason.Therefore,plantidentifi­cationmaybeeasierwhendoneinlatesummer,afterseedlingshavehadthemosttimetodevelop.Followtheeasystepsbelow.

4

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 1Roundstem,hairlikestipules,alternateleaves

Leadplant,Amorpha canescens

NewJerseytea,Ceanothus americanus

5

Purpleprairieclover,Dalea purpurea

Round­headedbushclover,Lespedeza capitata

Showyticktrefoil,Desmodium canadense Whiteprairieclover,Dalea candida

7

Leadplant  Amorpha canescens | Fabaceae, legume family

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•alternateleaves•circularsimpleleaves

onyoungseedlings•odd­pinnate

compoundleavesonolderseedlings

•pointedleaflettips

seedling descriptionLeadplantemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Stipuleslocatedatthebaseofthepetiolewhereitjoinsthestemarerust­coloredandhairlike.Youngseedlingleavesarealternateandalmostcircular,withpointedleaftips.Astheseedlingmatures,leaveschangefromsimpletoodd­pinnatecompoundwith3–35leafletsperleaf.

look-alikesmilkvetch:leaflikestipulesshowyticktrefoil:hairyleafmargin

germination and growthSeedgerminationofleadplantisim­provedwithmoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Leadplantseedlingsgrowveryslowly;3ormoregrowingseasonsmaybeneededtopro­ducefloweringplants.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

4 CM

0 3

8

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•alternateleaves•serratedleafmargin•glossyleaves

seedling descriptionNewJerseyteaemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Hairlikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Leavesarealternate,glossy,andsimplewithserratedmar­gins.Note:Becauseofthepresenceofstipules,thisspecieswasgroupedwiththelegumes;however,NewJerseyteaisinthebuckthornfamily.

look-alikesbluevervain:edgedstemCulver’sroot:oppositeleaveshoaryvervain:edgedstem

germination and growthSeedgerminationofNewJerseyteaisimprovedbyscarificationfollowedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.NewJerseyteaisalow­growingwoodyplantwithseveralbranchingstemsarisingfromasingletaproot.

New Jersey tea  Ceanothus americanus | Rhamnaceae, buckthorn family

6 CM

0 2

9

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•alternateleaves•compoundleafwith3–5leaflets•citrusyodorofcrushedleaf•pointedleaflettips

seedling descriptionPurpleprairiecloveremergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Hairlikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Youngseedlingleavesarecompoundwith3strap­shapedleaflets.Leaflettipsarepointed.Astheplantma­tures,someleavesmaydevelop5leaflets.Crushingaleafproducesacitrusyodor.

look-alikesround­headedbushclover:hairpromi­

nentonthestemwhiteprairieclover:notchedtorounded

leaflettips

germination and growthSeedgerminationofpurpleprairiecloverisimprovedwithdry­coldstrati­fication.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Purpleprairiecloverisahigh­proteinforagesourceforwildturkey,white­taileddeer,andquail.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Purple prairie clover  Dalea purpurea | Fabaceae, legume family

5 CM

0 2

10

Round-headed bush clover  Lespedeza capitata | Fabaceae, legume family

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•compoundleafwith3leaflets•pointedleaftips•hairystemandleafmargins

seedling descriptionRound­headedbushcloveremergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Hairlikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Thestipulesonyoungseedlingsarelightgreen,anddarkenastheplantmatures.Thefirstleafissimple,andsubsequentleavesarecompound,with3leaflets.Eachleaflethasapointedtipthatcanbeseenwith­outahandlens,makingthisspecieseasytoidentify.Hairisprominentonthestemandleafletmargins.

look-alikescreamfalseindigo:leaflikestipulespurpleprairieclover:straplikeleafletswhiteprairieclover:notchedleaflettipswhitewildindigo:leaflikestipules

germination and growthSeedgerminationofround­headedbushcloverisimprovedwithmoist­coldstrat­ification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Dense,darkbrownflowerheadsmakeround­headedbushclovereasytospotinthewinter.Seedphoto:hullremoved.

7 CM

0 3

11

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•alternateleaves•circularsimpleleavesonyoung

seedlings•compoundleaveswith3leaflets

onolderseedlings•haironleafandleafletmargins

seedling descriptionShowyticktrefoilemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Hairlikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetioleandsometimesonthepetiolenearthebaseoftheleaf.Youngseedlingleavesaresimpleandalmostcircular.Astheplantmatures,com­poundleavesdevelop,eachconsistingof3leaflets.Haironthemarginofleavesandleafletscanbeeasilyseenwithahandlens.

look-alikesfloweringspurge:stipulesabsentleadplant:pointedleafandleaflettipsmilkvetch:leaflikestipules

germination and growthSeedgerminationofshowyticktrefoilisimprovedwithdry­coldstratifica­tion.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictodry­mesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Showyticktrefoil’ssmall,darkseedpodswillsticktoyourclothesifyoubrushupagainstthisspeciesinthefall.Seedphoto:segmentedpodremoved.

Showy tick trefoil  Desmodium canadense | Fabaceae, legume family

6 CM

0 3

12

•roundstem•hairlikestipules•alternateleaves•compoundleaveswith3leaflets

onyoungseedlings•notchedandroundleaflettips

seedling descriptionWhiteprairiecloveremergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Hairlikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Youngseedlingleavesarecompoundwith3leaflets.Astheplantmatures,eachleafcanhaveupto9leaf­lets.Leaflettipsarenotchedorrounded.Crushedleavesofthisspeciesdonotproduceacitrusyodor.

look-alikescreamfalseindigo:leaflikestipulespurpleprairieclover:pointedleaflettipsround­headedbushclover:pointed

leaflettipswhitewildindigo:leaflikestipules

germination and growthSeedgerminationofwhiteprairiecloverisimprovedwithdry­coldstratifica­tion.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Itiscommonlycalledbroomweed;NativeAmericansconstructedbroomsfromitsstems.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

White prairie clover  Dalea candida | Fabaceae, legume family

5 CM

0 3

13

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 2Roundstem,leaflikestipules,alternateleaves

Creamfalseindigo,Baptisia bracteata Milkvetch,Astragalus canadensis

Partridgepea,Chamaecrista fasciculata Whitewildindigo,Baptisia alba

15

•roundstem•leaflikestipules•alternateleaves•obovate,balloon­shapedleaflets•compoundleaveswith3leaflets•hairprominentonstemandleaflets•leafletsthickandfleshywhenrubbed

seedling descriptionCreamfalseindigoemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leaflikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Allleavesarecompoundwith3leaflets,alternate,andconnectedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Leafletsfeelthickandfleshywhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.Haircanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens.

look-alikesround­headedbushclover:hairlike

stipulesshowyticktrefoil:hairlikestipuleswhiteprairieclover:hairlikestipuleswhitewildindigo:hairabsentonstem

germination and growthSeedgerminationofcreamfalseindigoisimprovedwithscarificationfollowedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Emergingshootsinspringlooklikeasparagus.Creamfalseindigoseedlingsgrowveryslowly;3ormoregrowingseasonsmaybeneededtoproducefloweringplants.Seedphoto:colorvariantsandpodremoved.

Cream false indigo  Baptisia bracteata | Fabaceae, legume family

4 CM

0 4

16

Milk vetch  Astragalus canadensis | Fabaceae, legume family

•roundstem•leaflikestipules•alternateleaves•odd­pinnate

compoundleaveswith3–35leaflets

•ovalleafletswithnotchedtips

seedling descriptionMilkvetchemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leaflikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Youngseedlingleavesareovalwithnotchedleaflettipsandalternateonthestem.Astheseedlingmatures,milkvetchleaveschangefromsimpletoodd­pinnatecompoundwith3–35leafletsperleaf.Hairiseasilyseenonleafletundersidesbutdifficulttodetectonleaflettops.

look-alikescreamfalseindigo:balloon­shaped

leafletsleadplant:hairlikestipulesshowyticktrefoil:hairlikestipuleswhitewildindigo:balloon­shaped

leaflets

germination and growthSeedgerminationofmilkvetchisim­provedwithscarificationfollowedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictodry­mesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Large,leafy,shrublikeplantsandcreamcol­oredflowersmakemilkvetcheasytofindinaprairie.Seedphoto:podremoved.

13 CM

0 2

17

•roundstem•leaflikestipules•alternateleaves•haironstemand

leafletmargins•even­pinnate

compoundleaveswith8–24leaflets

•pointedleaflettips

seedling descriptionPartridgepeaemergesasasinglestem.Thestemisroundwhenrolledbe­tweenthefingers.Leaflikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Allleavesareeven­pinnatecompoundwith8–24leaflets,whichmakesthisspeciesveryeasytoidentifyatayoungseedlingstage.Thefirstfewleaveshave8leaflets,andsubsequentleavesmayhaveupto24leaflets.Leafletshaveapointedtip.Haironthestemandleafletmarginscanbeseeneasilywithahandlens.

look-alikesleadplant:hairlikestipulesmilkvetch:notchedandrounded

leaflettips

germination and growthSeedgerminationofpartridgepeaisimprovedbyscarificationfollowedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Partridgepeaisanannualplantthatgrowsrapidlyandflowersinthefirstyear.Seedphoto:podremoved.

Partridge pea  Chamaecrista fasciculata | Fabaceae, legume family

8 CM

0 5

18

•roundstem•leaflikestipules•alternateleaves•compoundleaveswith3leaflets•balloon­shapedleafletswith

notchedtips•stemandleaflethairabsent

seedling descriptionWhitewildindigoemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leaflikestipulesarelocatedonthestematthejunctionofthepetiole.Thefirstleafissimpleandballoon­shaped.Subsequentleavesarealternate,compoundwith3leaflets,andconnectedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Leafletsfeelthickandfleshywhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.Stemandleafletsarehairless.

look-alikescreamfalseindigo:haironstemand

leafletsround­headedbushclover:hairlike

stipulesshowyticktrefoil:hairlikestipuleswhiteprairieclover:hairlikestipules

germination and growthSeedgerminationofwhitewildindigoisimprovedwithscarificationfollowedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Emergingshootsinspringlooklikeasparagus.Whitewildindigoseedlingsgrowveryslowly;3ormoregrowingseasonsmaybeneededtoproducefloweringplants.Seedphoto:colorvariantsandpodremoved.

White wild indigo  Baptisia alba | Fabaceae, legume family

4 CM

0 4

19

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 3Roundstem,stipulesabsent,alternateleaves

Floweringspurge,Euphorbia corollata

Grass­leavedgoldenrod,Euthamia graminifolia

NewEnglandaster,Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Whitesage,Artemisia ludoviciana

21

•roundstem•alternateleaves•ellipticandovalleafshapes•veryshortpetiole•hairystemandleaves

seedling descriptionFloweringspurgeemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesareelliptictooval,alternate,andconnectedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Hairontheleafmarginsandstemcanbeseenwithoutahandlens.Thisseedlinghasauniqueappearanceandiseasilyidenti­fiedinthefield.

look-alikesleadplant:hairlikestipulesshowyticktrefoil:hairlikestipules

germination and growthGerminationoffloweringspurgecanbetricky.Thisspecieshasahardseedcoat,andmoist­coldstratificationisneededtobreakseeddormancy.Flower­ingspurgegrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedlingsgrowveryslowly,and2–3growingsea­sonsmaybeneededbeforefloweringplantsareproduced.Seedphoto:colorvariants.

Flowering spurge  Euphorbia corollata | Euphorbiaceae, spurge family

elliptic leaf shape

oval leaf shape

10 CM

0 3

22

Grass-leaved goldenrod  Euthamia graminifolia | Asteraceae, daisy family

7 CM

•roundstem•alternateleaves•3linearveinsonleaves•linear,straplikeleafshape•sessileleaves

seedling descriptionGrass­leavedgoldenrodemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Lookcloselyatthisseedlingplantbecausetherearesomeidentificationcharacteristicsthatcanbeeasilymissed.Leavesarestrap­like,alternate,andconnectedtothestemwithoutapetiole.Linearveinsontheleafsurfaceresemblethoseofthegrasses.Leafmarginshaveverysmallserrationsthatcannotbeseenwiththenakedeyebutmaketheleafedgesfeelroughwhenrubbedacrossthefingers.

look-alikesbutterflymilkweed:oppositeleavescommonmountainmint:opposite

leavesslendermountainmint:oppositeleavesprairiecoreopsis:oppositeleaves

germination and growthSeedgerminationofgrass­leavedgoldenrodcanbeimprovedbymoist­coldstratification.Tomaximizelightforgermination,seedsshouldnotbecoveredwithsoilaftersowing.Thisspeciesgrowsinwettodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedlingsgrowveryslowly;2–3growingseasonsmaybeneededbeforefloweringplantsareproduced.Seedphoto:colorvariants,pappusremoved.

0 1

23

•roundstem•alternateleaves•spatulateleaves•leavesclaspstem•pubescenthairsonstem

andleaves

seedling descriptionNewEnglandasteremergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesarealternateandshapedlikeaspatula.Leavesareconnecteddirectlytothestem,claspingitwithoutpetioles.Short,softhairsontheleavesandstemcanbeseenwithoutahandlens.

look-alikessmoothblueaster:leafpetiolepresenttallboneset:oppositeleaves

germination and growthSeedgerminationofNewEnglandastercanbeimprovedbymoist­coldstratifi­cation.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictodry­mesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Inlatesummertoearlyfall,whenmostotherprairieflowershavefinishedblooming,therose­purpletopurpleflowersofNewEnglandasterglowinaplanting.Expectfloweringplantsinthesecondgrowingseason.Seedphoto:colorvariants,pappusremoved.

New England aster  Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Asteraceae, daisy family

6 CM

0 2

24

•roundstem•alternateleaves•serratedmarginonless

thanhalfofleaf•stemandleafhair

prominent•sageodorofcrushedleaf•whitishfoliage

seedling descriptionWhitesageemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbe­tweenthefingers.Leavesarespatula­shapedandalternate.Lessthanhalfoftheleafisserrated.Leavesappearwhit­ishfromthehairontheleafsurface.Seenthroughahandlens,thehairsap­pearmattedandtangledontheleaf.Astheseedlingmatures,thefoliagetakesonawhitishcolorandiseasilyrecog­nizable.Crushingtheleafproducesastrongsageodor.Theleafhairandsageodorareuniquecharacteristicsforthisspecies.

look-alikesNone

germination and growthSeedgerminationofwhitesagecanbeimprovedbydry­coldormoist­coldstratification.Tomaximizelightforgermination,seedsshouldnotbecov­eredwithsoilaftersowing.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Theuniquewhitefoliageofwhitesagemakesupforitslackofshowyflowers.Seedphoto:colorvariants.

White sage  Artemisia ludoviciana | Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

26

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 4Roundstem,stipulesabsent,oppositeleaves

Butterflymilkweed,Asclepias tuberosa

Culver’sroot,Veronicastrum virginicum

Ironweed,Vernonia fasciculata

Prairiephlox,Phlox pilosa

27

Prairiesunflower,Helianthus pauciflorus

Saw­toothsunflower,Helianthus grosseserratus

Swampmilkweed,Asclepias incarnata

Tallboneset,Eupatorium altissimum

29

•roundstem•oppositeleavesonyounger

seedlings•straplikeleafshape•veryshortpetiole•hairprominentonstem

seedling descriptionButterflymilkweedemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesareoblong,opposite,andattachedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Leavesbecomeal­ternateonolderseedlings.Unlikeothermilkweeds,butterflymilkweeddoesnotexudemilkysapwhenleavesarecrushed.Haironthestemcanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens.

look-alikescommonmountainmint:edgedstemprairiecoreopsis:edgedstemslendermountainmint:edgedstemswampmilkweed:stemhairabsent

germination and growthSeedgerminationofbutterflymilkweedcanbeimprovedbyeitherdry­coldormoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinmesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Butterflymilkweedisoneofthefewtallgrassprairieplantswithatrueorangeflower.Seedphoto:podandpappusremoved.

Butterfly milkweed  Asclepias tuberosa | Asclepiadaceae, milkweed family

5 CM

0 6

30

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•serratedleafmargin•veryshortpetiole•puckeredleafvenation•pubescenthaironstemandleaves

seedling descriptionCulver’srootemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbe­tweenthefingers.Leavesareoppositeandattachedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Leafmarginsareserrated.Leafvenationpuckerstheleafsurface.

look-alikesbluevervain:edgedstemhoaryvervain:edgedstemironweed:serratedouterhalfofleaf

marginox­eyesunflower:edgedstemwildbergamot:edgedstem,mintodor

germination and growthSeedgerminationofCulver’srootcanbeimprovedbydry­coldstratification.Tomaximizelightforgermination,seedsshouldnotbecoveredwithsoilaftersowing.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictomesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsun­light.Astheplantmatures,leavesbe­comewhorledandconsistof3–5leaves.ThismakesCulver’srooteasytoidentifybecauseveryfewtallgrassprairieplantshavewhorledleaves.Multiplespikesofdenselypacked,smallwhiteflowersoccuronthetopoftheplantinearlyJuly.Seedphoto:colorvariants.

Culver’s root  Veronicastrum virginicum | Scrophulariaceae, figwort family

4 CM

0 1

31

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•serratedmarginsonouter

halfofleaf•hairabsentonstemand

leaves•veryshortpetiole•prominentmidvein

seedling descriptionIronweedemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesareoppositeandcon­nectedtothestemwithshortpetioles.Onlytheouterhalfoftheleafhasaser­ratedmargin.Seedlingsarelightgreen.

look-alikesbluevervain:edgedstemCulver’sroot:haironstemandleaveshoaryvervain:edgedstemox­eyesunflower:edgedstemwildbergamot:edgedstem,mintodor

germination and growthSeedgerminationofironweedcanbeimprovedbymoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsonwet­mesictomesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsun­light.Leafarrangementchangesastheplantmatures,fromoppositeonyoungseedlingstoalternateonolderplants.Inmidsummerthistallplanthasaclusterofdeepredtopurpleflowers.Cattleavoidgrazingironweed.Seedphoto:colorvariants,pappusremoved.

Ironweed  Vernonia fasciculata | Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 4

32

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•sessileleaf•prominentmidvein•coarsehairsonstemandleafmargins

seedling descriptionPrairiephloxemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbe­tweenthefingers.Leavesareattachedtothestemwithoutapetiole.Haironthestemandleafcanbeseenwithoutahandlens.

look-alikescommonmountainmint:edgedstemprairiecoreopsis:edgedstemslendermountainmint:edgedstemswampmilkweed:petiolepresent

germination and growthSeedgerminationofprairiephloxcanbeimprovedbymoist­coldstratification.However,germinationmaynotoccuruntilthesecondgrowingseasonduetodoubledormancyintheseed.Prairiephloxgrowsonwet­mesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedlingsgrowveryslowlyandmaybeonly2–3cmtallattheendofthefirstgrowingseason.Don’texcludethisspeciesfromtheseedmix.Byyear3or4,floweringplantswilllikelyappear.

Prairie phlox  Phlox pilosa | Polemoniaceae, phlox family

7 CM

0 2

33

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•veryshortpetiole•lance­shapedleaf•hairprominentonleavesandstem

•leavesroughwhenrubbed

seedling descriptionPrairiesunfloweremergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesarelance­shapedandattachedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Haironleavesandstemcanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens,andleavesareroughtothetouch.Prairiesunflowerseedlingscannotbedistinguishedfromyoungseedlingsofsaw­toothsunflower.

look-alikesbutterflymilkweed:leavesandstemsoft

whenrubbedcommonmountainmint:edgedstemslendermountainmint:edgedstemswampmilkweed:leavessmoothwhen

rubbedsaw­toothsunflower:serratedleaf

marginsonolderseedlings

germination and growthSeedgerminationofprairiesunflowercanbeimprovedbyeitherdry­coldormoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsindry­mesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Prairiesunflowermaytake2ormoreyearstoflower.Seedphoto:shapevariants.

Prairie sunflower  Helianthus pauciflorus | Asteraceae, daisy family

9 CM

0 5

34

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•leafmarginsserratedonolder

seedlings•coarsehairsonleavesandpetioles

seedling descriptionSaw­toothsunfloweremergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leafmarginsonyoungseedlingsarenotserrated,andleavesareattachedtothestemwithaveryshortpetiole.Leavesofolderseed­lingsdevelopserratedmargins.Hairontheleaves,petiole,andstemcanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens.Leavesareroughtothetouch.Youngseedlingscannotbedistinguishedfromprairiesunflowerseedlings.

look-alikesbutterflymilkweed:leavesnotserratedcommonmountainmint:edgedstemox­eyesunflower:edgedstemslendermountainmint:edgedstemswampmilkweed:leavessmoothwhen

rubbed

germination and growthSeedgerminationofsaw­toothsun­flowercanbeimprovedbyeitherdry­coldormoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinwet­mesictodry­mesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Comparedtoseedlingsofmostotherprairiespecies,saw­toothsunflowerseedlingscangrowquitelargeinthefirstgrowingseason.

Saw-tooth sunflower  Helianthus grosseserratus | Asteraceae, daisy family

9 CM

0 4

35

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•lance­shapedleaf•nearlyhairlessstem•milkysapfromcrushed

leavesonolderseedlings

seedling descriptionSwampmilkweedemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesarelanceo­late,opposite,andattachedtothestemwithashortpetiole.Thestemappearshairlessalthoughveryminutehairscanbeseenwithahandlens.Nettedvena­tiononleavesandcotyledonisyellow­ish.Crushedleavesexudemilkysaponolderseedlings.

look-alikesbutterflymilkweed:stemhair

prominentcommonmountainmint:edgedstemprairiecoreopsis:edgedstemslendermountainmint:edgedstem

germination and growthSeedgerminationofswampmilkweedcanbeimprovedbyeitherdry­coldormoist­coldstratification.Thisspeciesgrowsinwettomesicsoilsandinfullsunlight.Expectfloweringplantsinthesecondgrowingseason.Seedphoto:podandpappusremoved.

Swamp milkweed  Asclepias incarnata | Asclepiadaceae, milkweed family

6 CM

0 5

36

•roundstem•oppositeleaves•sessileleaf•outerhalfofleafmarginserrated•nettedvenation•somehaironstemandleafmargins

seedling descriptionTallbonesetemergesasasinglestem.Thestemfeelsroundwhenrolledbe­tweenthefingers.Leavesareoppositeandattachedtothestemwithoutapetiole.Shortcurledhairsontheleafmargincanbeseenwithahandlens.Leavesareserratedononlytheouterhalf.Leavesfeelsoftwhenrubbedbe­tweenthefingers.

look-alikesbutterflymilkweed:leafmarginsnot

serratedwhitesage:alternateleavessaw­toothsunflower:leavesrough

whenrubbed

germination and growthSeedgerminationoftallbonesetcanbeimprovedbymoist­coldstratifica­tion.Thisspeciesgrowsondry­mesictodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Bloomingisprominentfromlatesum­merintoearlyfallwithnumeroussmallwhiteflowersonatallplant.Seedphoto:pappusremoved.

Tall boneset  Eupatorium altissimum | Asteraceae, daisy family

6 CM

0 3

38

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 5Edged stem, stipules absent, opposite leaves

Blue vervain, Verbena hastata

Common mountain mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum

Hairy mountain mint, Pycnanthemum pilosum

Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta

39

Ox-eye sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides

Prairie coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata

Slender mountain mint, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa

41

• edged stem• opposite leaves• serrated leaf margin• leaf margin extending down petiole• puckered leaf surface • short, soft hairs on the stem and

leaves

seedling descriptionBlue vervain emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. Leaf margins are serrated with the margins extending down the petiole. Undersides of the leaves and stem have fine hair that appears fuzzy when seen without a hand lens. The incised, netted venation on the leaf surface puckers the leaves.

look-alikesCulver’s root: round stem hoary vervain: very hairy stem and

leaves ironweed: round stem

germination and growthSeed germination of blue vervain can be improved by moist-cold stratifica-tion. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. Blue vervain grows in wet to mesic soil and in full to partial sun-light. Seed photo: color variants.

Blue vervain  Verbena hastata |  Verbenaceae, vervain family

5 CM

0 2

42

• edged stem • straplike leaf shape • very short petiole• mint odor of crushed leaf

seedling descriptionCommon mountain mint emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. All parts of the seedling have a mint odor when crushed. Leaves are strap-shaped, opposite, and connected to the stem by a very short petiole. Stem hair can be seen with a hand lens.

look-alikeshairy mountain mint: very hairy stem

and leavesprairie coreopsis: sessile leaf slender mountain mint: stem hair absent

germination and growthSeed germination of common moun-tain mint can be improved by dry-cold stratification. To maximize light for ger-mination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in wet-mesic to mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seed photo: size variants.

Common mountain mint  Pycnanthemum virginianum |  Lamiaceae, mint family

7 CM

0 1

43

• edged stem • opposite leaves• lance-shaped leaf• mint odor of crushed leaf• pubescent leaves and stem

seedling descriptionHairy mountain mint emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. All parts of the seedling have a mint odor when crushed. Leaves are opposite and connected to the stem by a very short petiole. Hair on the leaves and stem can be seen easily without a hand lens. Leaves feel soft when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikescommon mountain mint: strap-shaped

leafox-eye sunflower: serrated leaf marginwild bergamot: serrated leaf margin

germination and growthSeed germination of hairy mountain mint can be improved by dry-cold strat-ification. To maximize light for germi-nation, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. Hairy mountain mint grows in mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight.

Hairy mountain mint  Pycnanthemum pilosum |  Lamiaceae, mint family

7 CM

0 1

44

• edged stem• opposite leaves• serrated leaf margin• leaf margin extending down petiole • puckered leaf surface • short, soft hair on stem and leaves

seedling descriptionHoary vervain emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. Leaf margins are serrated with the margins extending down the petiole. A hand lens is needed to detect the fine hair on the leaf surface and stem. The incised, net-ted venation on the leaf surface puckers the leaves.

look-alikesblue vervain: hair on stem and leaves

visible without hand lensCulver’s root: round stem ironweed: round stem

germination and growthSeed germination of hoary vervain can be improved by moist-cold stratifica-tion. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in dry-mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Expect flowering plants in the second year.

Hoary vervain  Verbena stricta |  Verbenaceae, vervain family

4 CM

0 3

45

• edged stem • opposite leaves• serrated leaf margin • leaves rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionOx-eye sunflower emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. Leaves are opposite and connected to the stem by short petioles. Leaf margins are serrated. Coarse hairs can be seen with a hand lens. Leaves feel rough when rubbed between the fingers. Ox-eye sun-flower seedlings are similar to those of wild bergamot but have no mint odor.

look-alikesblue vervain: leaf margins extending

down petiolehoary vervain: leaf margins extending

down petiolewild bergamot: mint odor of crushed

leaf

germination and growthSeed germination of ox-eye sunflower can be improved by either dry-cold or moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight, and is easy to grow from seed. Expect flower-ing plants in the second growing season.

Ox-eye sunflower  Heliopsis helianthoides |  Asteraceae, daisy family

10 CM

0 4

46

Prairie coreopsis  Coreopsis palmata |  Asteraceae, daisy family

older seedlingleaves

9 CM

• edged stem • opposite leaves• linear, strap-shaped leaf • sessile • prominent midvein without netted venation

seedling descriptionPrairie coreopsis emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. Newly emerged seedling leaves are strap-shaped, opposite, and connected to the stem without a petiole. Hair along the leaf margins can be seen with a hand lens.

look-alikesbutterfly weed: petiole presentcommon mountain mint: petiole presentslender mountain mint: petiole present

germination and growthSeed germination of prairie coreopsis is greatly improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. One-year-old plants typically retain straplike leaves. As the plant ma-tures, the leaves develop the characteris-tic 3-lobed leaf shape. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season.

0 5

47

• edged stem • opposite leaves• linear, strap-shaped leaf • mint odor of crushed leaf• glabrous leaf and stem

seedling descriptionSlender mountain mint emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. All parts of the seedling have a mint odor when crushed. Leaves are lin-ear in shape, opposite, and connected to the stem by a very short petiole. Leaves and stem appear to be hairless.

look-alikescommon mountain mint: stem hair

presenthairy mountain mint: leaves and stem

covered with soft hairs prairie coreopsis: leaf attached to stem

without petiole

germination and growthSeed germination of slender mountain mint can be improved by dry-cold strat-ification. To maximize light for germi-nation, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seed photo: shape variants.

Slender mountain mint  Pycnanthemum tenuifolium |  Lamiaceae, mint family

5 CM

0 1

48

• edged stem • opposite leaves• mint odor of crushed leaf• serrated leaf margin

seedling descriptionWild bergamot emerges as a single stem. An edge can be detected when the stem is rolled between the fingers. All parts of the seedling have a mint odor when crushed. Leaves are opposite and con-nected to the stem with a short petiole. Leaf margins are serrated, and leaves feel smooth when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesblue vervain: puckered leaf venationhoary vervain: puckered leaf venationox-eye sunflower: no mint odor

germination and growthSeed germination of wild bergamot can be improved by dry-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soil and in full to partial sunlight, and is easy to grow from seed. Expect flower-ing plants in the second growing season.

Wild bergamot  Monarda fistulosa |  Lamiaceae, mint family

5 CM

0 2

49

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 6Stem absent, basal leaf cluster

Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Bottle gentian, Gentiana andrewsii

Canada anemone, Anemone canadensis Compass plant, Silphium laciniatum

Foxglove beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis

Fragrant coneflower, Rudbeckia subtomentosa

50

Golden alexanders, Zizia aurea Gray-headed coneflower, Ratibida pinnata

Great blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica

Old field goldenrod, Solidago nemoralis

Heath aster, Symphyotrichum ericoides

Pale purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida

51

Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum

Rosinweed, Silphium integrifolium

Smooth blue aster, Symphyotrichum laeve

Prairie violet, Viola pedatifida

Showy goldenrod, Solidago speciosa

Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale

52

Wild quinine, Parthenium integrifolium

Stiff goldenrod, Oligoneuron rigidum

Thimbleweed, Anemone cylindrica

53

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• rounded leaf tips• prominent leaf hairs

seedling descriptionBlack-eyed Susan seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaf hairs are so prominent on seedling plants that they appear fuzzy. Young seedling leaf margins are somewhat ser-rated, and leaves feel soft when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesfragrant coneflower: purple lines on

lower petiolesgray-headed coneflower: leaves rough

when rubbed rosinweed: leaves rough when rubbed wild quinine: leaves rough when rubbed

germination and growthBlack-eyed Susan germinates readily; no seed treatment is needed. This species is generally a biennial plant, growing vegetatively in the first season and flow-ering in the second. Because the seed is inexpensive, there is a temptation to add extra into the planting, but beware, too many seeds of black-eyed Susan may reduce establishment of other prairie plants.

Black-eyed Susan  Rudbeckia hirta |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

54

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• leaf venation absent• leaf hair absent • glossy leaves waxy when rubbed

seedling descriptionBottle gentian seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Seedlings grow very close to the ground and are often difficult to detect. Young seedlings of bottle gentian can be easily recognized by the absence of leaf vena-tion and the glossy sheen and waxy feel of the leaves. Leaves and petioles are hairless.

look-alikesgreat blue lobelia: rounded serrations

along leaf marginsfoxglove beardtongue: notched leaf tip

germination and growthSeed germination of bottle gentian is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Even under ideal conditions, seedlings grow very slowly. Closed, intensely blue flow-ers in late summer make this species unique in the prairie landscape.

Bottle gentian  Gentiana andrewsii |  Gentianaceae, gentian family

1 CM

0 2

55

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• maple-like leaf shape• 3 leaf lobes fused near base of leaf blade

seedling descriptionCanada anemone seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Few prairie species have its almost unique maple-like leaves. Leaves have 3 distinct lobes and are fused near the base of the leaf blade. The underside of the leaves may be light purple. A hand lens is needed to detect hair on the leaf. Young seedlings of both Canada anem-one and thimbleweed have very similar 3-lobed maple-like leaves, making it impossible to differentiate between these two species.

look-alikesThimbleweed: leaf lobes not fused near

base on older seedlings

germination and growthCanada anemone is difficult to germi-nate from seed. Under ideal growing conditions it may take up to four weeks to germinate, and the seedling grows very slowly. Look carefully — these small plants can be easily missed in the first year. Canada anemone seed has been observed to germinate as late as in the following year or two after seeding. Seed photo: color variants.

Canada anemone  Anemone canadensis |  Ranunculaceae, buttercup family

2 CM

0 7

56

• stem absent• basal cluster• large cotyledons• hairy leaves and petioles• leaves rough when rubbed• prominent leaf midvein

seedling descriptionCompass plant seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaves have a prominent midvein and are attached to long petioles. Short, stiff hairs covering the leaves and petioles can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves are stiff and feel rough when rubbed between the fingers. Look for very large cotyledons, about the size of a dime.

look-alikesblack-eyed Susan: serrated leaf marginfragrant coneflower: serrated leaf margin gray-headed coneflower: serrated leaf

marginpale purple coneflower: three prominent

linear veins on leafrosinweed: serrated leaf marginwild quinine: serrated leaf margin

germination and growthSeed germination of compass plant is improved with moist-cold stratifica-tion. Compass plant and other silphi-ums germinate in cool, wet soil in late spring and are among the first species to emerge in a prairie planting. This spe-cies grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and

in full to partial sunlight. One-year-old plants typically retain simple leaf mar-gins. However, as the seedling matures, the leaves undergo a series of changes, from simple margins to highly lobed margins. Compass plant is a long-lived plant and may take 3–5 years to flower.

Compass plant  Silphium laciniatum |  Asteraceae, daisy family

14 CM

0 13

57

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• notched leaf tip• prominent midvein extending down petiole

• soft, leathery leaves

seedling descriptionFoxglove beardtongue seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaf tips are notched, and leaf margins extend down the petiole. Leaves are an unusual gray-green and feel like soft leather when rubbed.

look-alikesgreat blue lobelia: rounded serrations

along leaf marginheath aster: pointed leaf tipsmooth blue aster: serrated leaf margin

germination and growthSeed germination of foxglove beard-tongue can be improved with dry-cold stratification. To maximize light for ger-mination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Even under ideal conditions, foxglove beardtongue seed-lings grow very slowly.

Foxglove beardtongue  Penstemon digitalis |  Scrophulariaceae, figwort family

4 CM

0 1

58

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• serrated leaf margin• pointed leaf tip• purple lines near base of petioles • hair on leaves and petioles

seedling descriptionFragrant coneflower seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaf margins are serrated. Leaf blades are connected to long petioles that have purple lines near the base. Fine hairs on the leaves can be seen with a hand lens, and leaves feel somewhat rough when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesblack-eyed Susan: leaves soft when

rubbed gray-headed coneflower: purple lines

absent on petiole base wild quinine: prominent midvein

germination and growthSeed germination of fragrant coneflower can be improved by either dry-cold or moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. The large yellow flowers of fragrant coneflower bloom from late summer into early fall after most other prairie wildflowers have ceased to bloom. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season.

Fragrant coneflower  Rudbeckia subtomentosa |  Asteraceae, daisy family

9 CM

0 3

59

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• dentate leaf • reniform leaf in young seedlings• 3 discrete leaf sections in older seedlings

• straplike cotyledons with pointed tips• hair absent on leaves and petioles

seedling descriptionGolden alexanders seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Young seedling leaves are kidney-shaped with outward-pointed tip serrations along the leaf margin. Cotyledons are straplike and connected to long petioles. Leaves and petioles are hairless.

look-alikesCanada anemone: maple-like leaf shapeprairie violet: rounded serrations along

leaf marginsthimbleweed: hair prominent on leaves

and petioles

germination and growthSeed germination of golden alexanders is improved with moist-cold stratifica-tion. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. One-year-old plants typically retain kidney-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, the leaves become com-pound and have 3 leaflets with serrated margins. Golden alexanders blooms in midspring. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season.

Golden alexanders  Zizia aurea |  Apiaceae, parsley family

5 CM

0 5

60

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• serrated leaf margin• leaf blade base often not symmetrical

• leaf and petiole hair present • leaves rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionGray-headed coneflower seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves with-out a stem. Very short, coarse hairs on the leaves can be seen with a hand lens and make the leaves feel rough when rubbed between the fingers. Young seedling leaves are often not serrated; however, within the first growing season seedling leaves will undergo a series of changes in shape that result in lobed leaves with serrated margins.

look-alikesblack-eyed Susan: leaf margin extending

down petiolesmooth blue aster: leaf margin

extending down petiolewild quinine: prominent midvein

germination and growthSeed germination of gray-headed cone-flower can be improved by either dry-cold or moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Expect flowering plants in the second grow-ing season. Seed photo: size and shape variants.

Gray-headed coneflower  Ratibida pinnata |  Asteraceae, daisy family

8 CM

0 3

61

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• crenate leaf margin • ruffled leaves

seedling descriptionGreat blue lobelia seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Serrations along the leaf margins are rounded, and leaf margins appear ruffled. Very short hairs on the leaves can be seen with a hand lens. Cotyle-dons have notched tips.

look-alikesfoxglove penstemon: leaf margin not

serratedsmooth blue aster: leaf margin

extending down petiole

germination and growthSeed germination of great blue lobelia is improved with moist-cold stratifica-tion. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in wet-mesic soils and in full to partial sun-light. Great blue lobelia seedlings grow very slowly; 3 or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: shape variants.

Great blue lobelia  Lobelia siphilitica |  Campanulaceae, harebell family

4 CM

0 1

62

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• sessile leaf • pointed leaf tip

seedling descriptionHeath aster seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaves are shaped like a spatula and have a pointed tip. The leaves feel smooth when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesfoxglove penstemon: rounded leaf tipfragrant coneflower: serrated leaf

margingray-headed coneflower: serrated leaf

marginold field goldenrod: serrated leaf marginsmooth blue aster: serrated leaf margin

germination and growthHeath aster is difficult to grow from seed. Seed germination can be improved with dry-cold stratification. To maxi-mize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Heath aster seedlings grow very slowly; 3 or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: color and size variants, pappus removed.

Heath aster  Symphyotrichum ericoides |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

63

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• serrated leaf margins• prominent leaf midvein • hair along leaf margins • leaves somewhat rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionOld field goldenrod seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. The outer 2/3 of each leaf is serrated, and leaf margins extend down the petiole. Fine hairs along the leaf margin are eas-ily seen without a hand lens. The leaf surface has netted venation and is some-what rough to the touch.

look-alikesshowy goldenrod: leaves smooth when

rubbedsmooth blue aster: leaves smooth when

rubbedsneezeweed: leaf margin hair absentstiff goldenrod: leaf margin not

extending down to plant base

germination and growthOld field goldenrod is difficult to grow from seed. Seed germination can be improved with moist-cold stratification. To maximize sunlight for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seed photo: color and size variants, pappus removed.

Old field goldenrod  Solidago nemoralis |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

64

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• 3 prominent linear veins on leaf • hairy leaf and petiole

seedling descriptionPale purple coneflower seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Coarse hairs on the leaf and petiole make the leaves feel rough when rubbed. Leaf blades have 3 distinct linear veins that can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves are dark green.

look-alikesblack-eyed Susan: fuzzy leaves, soft

when rubbedcompass plant: 1 prominent midvein

on leaffragrant coneflower: netted leaf venationgray-headed coneflower: netted leaf

venation

germination and growthSeed germination of pale purple cone-flower is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Flowers consist of drooping, purple, petal-like rays and add a unique look to a prairie planting in early sum-mer. Seed photo: hull removed (top), hull intact (bottom).

Pale purple coneflower  Echinacea pallida |  Asteraceae, daisy family

10 CM

0 6

65

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• dissected leaf margins • serrated leaf margins• leaf hair prominent

seedling descriptionPrairie smoke seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Seedling leaves grow very close to the ground. Leaf margins are serrated and divided into discrete sections. Hair on the leaf surface can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves feel soft when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesNone

germination and growthPrairie smoke is sometimes difficult to grow from seed. Seed germination is improved with moist-cold stratification. Prairie smoke grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Even under ideal growing conditions, seed-lings grow very slowly. Leaves undergo a series of changes from serrate margins that are not dissected to highly dissected margins in older seedlings.

Prairie smoke  Geum triflorum |  Rosaceae, rose family

older seedling leaves

1 CM

0 13

66

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• leaf margins varying from rounded • to pointed serrations • deltoid leaf

seedling descriptionPrairie violet seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Young seedling leaves, with tips that taper to a broad, straight base, resemble an equi-lateral triangle. Leaf margins are highly variable, from unserrated to scalloped or serrated with pointed tips. Leaves and petioles feel smooth when rubbed be-tween the fingers.

look-alikesgolden alexanders: leaf serrations with

pointed tips, straplike cotyledonsgreat blue lobelia: egg-shaped leaf blade

germination and growthPrairie violet seed is difficult to germi-nate. Germination can be improved with dry-cold stratification. To maxi-mize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. One-year-old plants typically retain kidney-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, leaves become highly dissected. Two or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants.

Prairie violet  Viola pedatifida |  Violaceae, violet family

7 CM

0 2

67

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• distinctive bumps along leaf margins on young seedlings

• netted venation• large cotyledons• hairy leaves and petioles• leaves rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionRosinweed seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Young seedling leaves have very distinctive bumps along the leaf margins that will develop into serrations as the seedling ages. Prominent hair on leaves and petioles can be seen without a hand lens, and leaves feel rough when rubbed between the fingers. Look for very large cotyledons, about the size of a dime.

look-alikescompass plant: 1 prominent midvein on

leaffragrant coneflower: multiple linear

veins on leafgray-headed coneflower: multiple linear

veins on leafpale purple coneflower: 3 prominent

linear veins on leaf black-eyed Susan: leaves soft when

rubbedwild quinine: prominent serrated leaf

margins

germination and growthSeed germination of rosinweed is im-proved with moist-cold stratification. Rosinweed and other silphiums germi-nate in cool, wet soil in late spring and are among the first prairie species to emerge. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full sunlight. Rosin-weed is a long-lived plant and may need 2 or more growing seasons to flower.

Rosinweed  Silphium integrifolium |  Asteraceae, daisy family

10 CM

0 11

68

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• leaf margins serrated and notched • leaf margins extending to plant base• hairy leaf margins

seedling descriptionShowy goldenrod seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Serrations on the leaf margins are notched rather than toothed like a saw blade. Venation on the leaf surface is netted, with a prominent midvein. Leaves feel smooth when rubbed be-tween the fingers. Hair can be seen easily on leaf margins.

look-alikesold field goldenrod: leaves rough when

rubbedsmooth blue aster: netted venation

sunken below leaf surfacesneezeweed: leaf margin hair absentstiff goldenrod: leaves rough when

rubbed

germination and growthShowy goldenrod is difficult to grow from seed. Germination can be im-proved with moist-cold stratification. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seed photo: pappus removed.

Showy goldenrod  Solidago speciosa |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

69

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster • leaf margin extending to plant base • leaves smooth when rubbed

seedling descriptionSmooth blue aster seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaf margins are serrated, and the margin extends down to the plant base. Leaves have a netted venation. Very short hairs all along the leaf margin can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves feel smooth when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesold field goldenrod: leaves somewhat

rough when rubbedshowy goldenrod: recessed leaf venationsneezeweed: widest part of leaf blade

near its middlestiff goldenrod: leaf margin not

extending to plant base

germination and growthSeed germination of smooth blue aster is improved with dry-cold stratifica-tion. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Smooth blue aster boasts showy late-season blooms after other prairie plants have ceased flowering. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season. Seed photo: size variants.

Smooth blue aster  Symphyotrichum laeve |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 2

70

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• leaf margins extending to plant base• leaf margin hair absent• prominent midvein

seedling descriptionSneezeweed seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaves have a prominent midvein, and leaf margins extend to the base of the plant. Leaf margins are serrated. Leaves feel somewhat rough when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesold field goldenrod: hair on leaf marginshowy goldenrod: hair on leaf marginsmooth blue aster: hair on leaf marginstiff goldenrod: hair on leaf margin

germination and growthSeed germination of sneezeweed can be improved by dry-cold stratification. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. Sneezeweed grows well in wet-mesic to moist soils and in full to partial sunlight. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season. The adult plant is easily recognizable by its winged stem. Seed photo: pappus removed.

Sneezeweed  Helenium autumnale |  Asteraceae, daisy family

4 CM

0 2

71

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster • short stiff hair on leaves and petiole • glossy leaves • leaves somewhat rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionStiff goldenrod seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. The serrations along leaf margins on young seedlings sometimes are notched rather than toothed like a saw blade. Leaves are glossy and feel rough when rubbed between the fingers.

look-alikesold field goldenrod: leaf margin

extending to plant baseshowy goldenrod: leaf margin extending

to plant basesmooth blue aster: leaf margin

extending to plant basesneezeweed: leaf margin extending to

plant base

germination and growthSeed germination of stiff goldenrod is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Stiff goldenrod establishes and grows read-ily, resulting in brilliant yellow flowers during late summer. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season. Seed photo: pappus removed.

Stiff goldenrod  Oligoneuron rigidum |  Asteraceae, daisy family

5 CM

0 3

72

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• maple-like leaf shape• 3 leaf lobes not fused near base on older seedlings

• hair on leaf and petiole

seedling descriptionThimbleweed seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. The leaves of few prairie species have this unique maple-leaf shape. Hairs on the leaf and petiole are visible without a hand lens. Young seedling leaves of this species have fused leaf lobes near the base of the leaf, making it impossible to differentiate from Canada anemone. The 3 lobes on older leaves are not fused near the leaf base.

look-alikesCanada anemone: leaf lobes fused near

leaf basegolden alexanders: hair absent on leaves

and petioles

germination and growthThimbleweed readily germinates from seed and will persist in a prairie plant-ing. The seedling grows very slowly, so look carefully; these small seedling plants can be easily missed in the first year. Seed photo: color variants.

Thimbleweed  Anemone cylindrica |  Ranunculaceae, buttercup family

3 CM

0 3

73

• stem absent• basal leaf cluster• prominent midvein on leaf • serrated leaf margin• hairy leaf and petiole• leaves rough when rubbed

seedling descriptionWild quinine seedlings emerge as a basal cluster of leaves without a stem. Leaves and petioles are covered with coarse hairs visible to the naked eye and feel rough when rubbed. Leaves have a serrated margin and a prominent midvein.

look-alikesblack-eyed Susan: leaves soft when

rubbedfragrant coneflower: multiple linear leaf

venation gray-headed coneflower: multiple linear

leaf venation rosinweed: young seedling leaves not

serrated

germination and growthSeed germination of wild quinine is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Wild quinine grows slowly; 3 or more grow-ing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: hull intact (top), hull removed (bottom).

Wild quinine  Parthenium integrifolium |  Asteraceae, daisy family

7 CM

0 2

74

Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 7Grasslike seedlings

Ohio spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis

Prairie onion, Allium stellatum

Prairie blazing star, Liatris pycnostachya

Prairie spiderwort, Tradescantia bracteata

75

Wild garlic, Allium canadense

Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium Rough blazing star, Liatris aspera

77

• grasslike leaves • leaf hairs• purple lines on stem and leaf undersides

• clear, gooey sap from crushed leaf

• folded leaf blade

seedling descriptionOhio spiderwort seedlings are grass-like. However, closer inspection reveals purple lines on the outer sides of the leaves near the base of the plant, visible without a hand lens. Leaves are some-what folded with some hair on the stem and lower leaf margins. A clear, gooey sap will exude from a crushed leaf. Ohio spiderwort and prairie spiderwort seed-lings appear identical and are impossible to tell apart. Ohio spiderwort has only one cotyledon.

look-alikesprairie onion: onion odor of crushed leafwild garlic: onion odor of crushed leaf

germination and growthSeed germination of Ohio spiderwort can be improved by moist-cold stratifi-cation. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sun-light. In late spring, Ohio spiderwort’s small, 3-petaled, blue to rose-purple flowers open in the morning and close by noon under direct sunlight. Seed photo: color and size variants.

Ohio spiderwort  Tradescantia ohiensis |  Commelinaceae, spiderwort family

12 CM

0 3

78

• grasslike leaves• petiole absent • multiple linear veins near leaf tip

seedling descriptionAt first glance, prairie blazing star seed-lings appear grasslike. However, closer inspection shows that leaves emerge from the ground without a stem or peti-ole. Straplike leaves have a prominent midvein. Additional linear veins on the leaf surface can be seen with a hand lens. Cotyledons often remain on the seedling well into the first growing sea-son and are an additional clue that this plant is a forb and not a grass.

look-alikesOhio spiderwort: leaves foldedprairie spiderwort: leaves foldedrough blazing star: single linear midvein

on leaf

germination and growthSeed germination of prairie blazing star can be improved by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet to mesic soils and in full to partial sun-light. Seedlings are likely to be found in wetter portions of the site. Prairie blazing star may take 2 or more years to flower. Seed photo: pappus removed.

Prairie blazing star  Liatris pycnostachya |  Asteraceae, daisy family

7 CM

0 5

79

• grasslike leaves• long succulent leaves with pointed tips • leaf venation absent • transparent membrane around stem near plant base

• onion odor• dark green glossy leaves

seedling descriptionWild garlic seedlings emerge as a single stem and appear grasslike. However, leaf venation is absent, and crushing the leaves produces a strong onion odor. There is a transparent membrane that wraps around the stem near the base of the plant. Leaves have a glossy sheen. Prairie onion and wild garlic seedlings appear identical and are impossible to tell apart.

look-alikesOhio spiderwort: leaves foldedprairie spiderwort: leaves folded

germination and growthSeed germination of prairie onion can be improved by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Walking through a prairie planting in midsum-mer, one often finds the delicate prairie onion by smell rather than sight.

Prairie onion  Allium stellatum |  Liliaceae, lily family

8 CM

0 3

80

• grasslike leaves • leaf hairs• purple lines on stem and leaf undersides

• clear, gooey sap from crushed leaf

• folded leaf blade

seedling descriptionPrairie spiderwort seedlings appear grasslike. However, the outer sides of the leaves near the base of the plant have purple lines that can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves are somewhat folded with some hair on the stem and lower leaf margins. A clear, gooey sap will exude from a crushed leaf. Prairie spi-derwort and Ohio spiderwort seedlings appear identical and are impossible to tell apart. Prairie spiderwort has only one cotyledon.

look-alikesprairie onion: onion odor of crushed leafwild garlic: onion odor of crushed leaf

germination and growthSeed germination of prairie spiderwort can be improved by moist-cold stratifi-cation. This species grows in dry-mesic to dry soils and in full sunlight. In late spring, prairie spiderwort’s small, 3-petaled, blue to rose-purple flowers open in the morning and close by noon under direct sunlight. Seed photo: front (top), back (bottom).

Prairie spiderwort  Tradescantia bracteata |  Commelinaceae, spiderwort family

16 CM

0 2

81

• grasslike appearance • fibrous leaves difficult to tear• prominent individual hairs on leaf margin

• straplike cotyledons

seedling descriptionAt first glance rattlesnake master seed-lings appear grasslike. This is one of the few prairie species whose seedling leaves’ shape and texture are identical to their adult counterparts. Hairlike pro-jections along the leaf margins are a dis-tinctive feature of this species and can be seen without a hand lens. Leaves are very fibrous and difficult to tear. Cotyledons often remain on the seedling well into the first growing season, an additional clue that it is a forb and not a grass.

look-alikesprairie blazing star: prominent leaf

midveinprairie spiderwort: folded leaf bladeOhio spiderwort: folded leaf bladerough blazing star: prominent leaf

midvein

germination and growthSeed germination of rattlesnake master is improved with moist-cold stratifica-tion. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full sunlight. Rattlesnake master is best known for its unique yucca-like leaves. These tough, fibrous leaves were woven into shoes by Native Americans. Seed photo: front (top), back (bottom).

Rattlesnake master  Eryngium yuccifolium |  Apiaceae, parsley family

5 CM

0 7

82

• grasslike leaves • prominent leaf midvein• single midvein near leaf tip

seedling descriptionAt first glance, rough blazing star seed-lings appear grasslike. However, closer inspection shows that the leaves emerge from the ground connected to long petioles. Leaves have a single, prominent midvein. Cotyledons often remain on the seedling well into the first growing season and are an additional clue that this is a forb and not a grass.

look-alikesOhio spiderwort: leaves foldedprairie blazing star: multiple linear

veins near leaf tip prairie spiderwort: leaves folded

germination and growthSeed germination of rough blazing star can be improved by moist-cold strati-fication. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seedlings are likely to be found in drier portions of a site. Rough blazing star may take 2 or more years to flower. Seed photo: pappus removed (top), pappus intact (bottom).

Rough blazing star  Liatris aspera |  Asteraceae, daisy family

15 CM

0 5

83

• grasslike leaves• long succulent leaves with pointed tips • leaf venation absent • transparent membrane around stem near plant base

• onion odor• dark green glossy leaves

seedling descriptionWild garlic seedlings emerge as a single stem and appear grasslike. However, leaf venation is absent, and crushing the leaves produces a strong onion odor. There is a transparent membrane that wraps around the stem near the base of the plant. Leaves have a glossy sheen. Wild garlic and prairie onion seedlings appear identical and are impossible to tell apart.

look-alikesOhio spiderwort: leaves foldedprairie spiderwort: leaves folded

germination and growthWild garlic produces bulblets instead of seed. Storing the bulblets in a cool, dry place prior to planting will improve germination. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full sunlight to very low light conditions. Wild garlic blooms in late spring, and flower colors range from white to pink.

Wild garlic  Allium canadense |  Liliaceae, lily family

18 CM

0 8

part two

Grasses Identification Guide

Grasses

close-up of leaf collar

ligule

auricles

leaf sheath

culm “tiller”

“shoot”

emergent leaf

leaf collar

crown

leaf blade

leaf sheath

node

tiller base

cotyledon

roots

leaf tip

midrib

87

1.Rollthetillernearthebaseoftheplantbetweenyourfingerstodetermineifitisflattenedorround.

a.Flattenedtiller:gotokey characteristicgroup1,page89

b.Roundtiller:gotostep2

2.Lookforauriclesconnectedtotheleafcollar(ahandlensmaybeneeded).

a.Auriclespresent:gotokey characteristicgroup2,page97

b.Auriclesabsent:gotostep3

3.Lookforhairontheleafcollar(ahandlensmaybeneeded).

a.Hairpresent:gotokey characteristicgroup3,page102

b.Hairabsent:gotokeycharacteristic group4,page111

Welcometothegrassesidentificationsection.Mostprairieplantsareperennialandgrowslowly(aboveground)inthefirstgrowingseason.Therefore,plantidentifi-cationmaybeeasierwhendoneinlatesummerafterseedlingshavehadthemosttimetodevelop.Followtheeasystepsbelow.

89

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 1Flattenedtillerbase,auriclesabsent

Side-oatsgrama,Bouteloua curtipendula

Bigbluestem,Andropogon gerardii

Indiangrass,Sorghastrum nutans

Bluejointgrass,Calamagrostis canadensis

Littlebluestem,Schizachyrium scoparium

90

91

•flattenedtillerbase•ligulewithraggedtop•coarsehairsontillerandlowerhalfofleaves

•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionBigbluestemcanbeidentifiedbyitswideleaves,atillerflattenednearitsbase,andleafhairs.Theslightflatnesscanbefeltbyrollingthetillernearthebaseoftheplantbetweenthefingers.Coarsehairandamembranous,raggedtopligulecanbeseenwithoutahandlens.Hairispresentonthetiller,thelowerhalfofleaves,andleafmargins.Bytheendofthefirstgrowingseason,someleavesmaybebluetopurple.

look-alikesIndiangrass:leafhairsabsentlittlebluestem:foldedemergentleafside-oatsgrama:swollenbaseofhairs

onleafmargin

germination and growthBigbluestemisawarm-seasongrass,andseedreadilygerminatesinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Bigbluestemgrowsasasod-forminggrassinidealsoilmoisturecon-ditions.Indryorwetsoils,thisspeciesgrowsasabunch-forminggrass.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Big bluestem  Andropogon gerardii | Poaceae, grass family

14 CM

0 3

92

•flattenedtillerbase•tallligulewithraggedtop•swollennodesontiller•glabroustillerandleaves•leafgrabsfingerwhenrubbed

towardtiller•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionBluejointhasauniqueligule.Itistallandmembranouswitharaggedtopthatcanbeseenwithoutahandlens.Thetillerbasefeelsslightlyflattenedwhenrolledbetweenthefingers.Leavesfeelroughwhenrubbedtowardthetiller.Thetillerandleavesarenearlyhairless.

look-alikesprairiecordgrass:liguleofthreadlike

hairsporcupinegrass:tillerroundednear

baseswitchgrass:liguleatuftofhair

germination and growthBluejointisasod-formingcool-seasongrass,andseedgerminatesreadilyinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltempera-tureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Seedisverysmallandmayneedlightforgermination,socoveringtheseedwithsoilisnotrecommended.Lookforthisspeciesinwettersoils.Seedphoto:hullremoved.

Bluejoint grass  Calamagrostis canadensis | Poaceae, grass family

15 CM

0 1

93

•flattenedtillerbase•leafhairabsent•tallligulestifftothetouch•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionIndiangrassismostreadilyidentifiedbythelackofhairsonitsleafanditsstiffligule.Leavestiltawayfromthetiller,andtheflatnessofthetillerbasecanbefeltbyrollingitbetweenthefingers.Whenaleafisgentlypulledback,theligulecanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens.Thenotchesinthetallligulearesometimesdescribedaslikeariflesight,andtheligulefeelsstiffwhentouchedwithafinger.

look-alikesbigbluestem:leafhairspresentlittlebluestem:foldedemergentleafside-oatsgrama:leafhairspresent

germination and growthIndiangrassisawarm-seasongrass,andseedgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Indiangrassissod-formingandwillreadilyestablishandpersistonmesictodrysoils.Thisgrassdevelopsauniquegoldencolorinthefall.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Indian grass  Sorghastrum nutans | Poaceae, grass family

12 CM

0 4

94

•tillerbasetooflattoberolledbetweenfingers

•pointedleaftip•shortligulewith

raggedtop•foldedemergentleaf

seedling descriptionLittlebluestemseedlingsarereadilyidentifiedbytheirfoldedemergentleafandveryflattiller.Theemergentleafisfoldedinsidethetiller.Mostotherprai-riegrasseshavearolledemergentleaf.Nearthebaseoftheplantthetillerissoflatthatitisalmostimpossibletorollitbetweenthefingers.Littlebluestemhasapointedleaftipandashortligulewitharaggedtop.ThisspeciesisoftenconfusedwithKentuckybluegrass,buttheleaftipofKentuckybluegrasshasakeeledshapelikeacanoeandlittlebluestemhasapointedleaftip.

look-alikesbigbluestem:rolledemergentleafKentuckybluegrass:keeledleaftipside-oatsgrama:rolledemergentleaf

germination and growthLittlebluestemisabunch-forminggrassthatestablisheswellandpersistsindriersoils.Seedgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.However,inwell-drainedloamysoils,littlebluestemmaybemuchlessabundantwhenplantedwiththetallerprairiegrasses.Seedphoto:hullintact(top).

Little bluestem  Schizachyrium scoparium | Poaceae, grass family

11 CM

0 4

95

•flattenedtillerbase•swellingatbaseofleafmarginhairs•hairontillerandleaves•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionSide-oatsgramahasuniquehairsontheleafmargins.Theyhaveaswollen,bulb-likeappendagewheretheyconnecttotheleafmargin,easilyseenwithahandlens.Theslightflatteningofthebaseofthetillercanbefeltbyrollingitbetweenthefingers.Theundersideoftheleafhasaprominentkeeledridge.Theliguleisshortandmembranouswithfinehairsalongitstop.

look-alikesbigbluestem:noswellingatbaseofleaf

marginhairsIndiangrass:leafhairsabsentlittlebluestem:foldedemergentleaf

germination and growthSide-oatsgramaisawarm-seasongrass,andseedgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Thisspecieswillestablishandpersistindriersoilswhenplantedwithtallerwarm-seasonprairiegrasses,suchasbigbluestem,Indiangrass,andswitchgrass.However,inwell-drainedloamysoils,side-oatsgramamayde-clineovertimewhenplantedwiththesetallergrasses.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Side-oats grama  Bouteloua curtipendula | Poaceae, grass family

11 CM

0 3

97

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 2Roundedtillerbase,auriclespresent

Virginiawildrye,Elymus virginicusCanadawildrye,Elymus canadensis

99

•roundedtillerbase•auriclespresent•shortligulewith

raggedtop•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionCanadawildryehasaroundtillerand,visiblewithoutahandlens,distinctauriclesprojectingfromtheleafcollar.Theliguleisshortandmembranouswitharaggedtop.Leavesfeelsomewhatsmoothwhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.CanadawildryeandVirginiawildryeseedlingsareverysimilar.

look-alikesIndiangrass:flattenedtillerbaseVirginiawildrye:leavesroughwhen

rubbedswitchgrass:liguleconsistingoftuftof

hair

germination and growthCanadawildryeisacool-seasongrass,andseedgerminatesreadilyinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltemperatureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Canadawildryehasatendencytodeclineovertimewhenplantedwithotherprairiegrasses.Thisspeciescangrowinwettodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Canada wild rye  Elymus canadensis | Poaceae, grass family

14 CM

0 7

100

•roundedtillerbase•auriclespresent•shortligulewithraggedtop

•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionVirginiawildryehasaroundedtillerand,visiblewithoutahandlens,distinctauriclesprojectingfromtheleafcollar.Theliguleisshortandhasaraggedtop.Ahandlensisneededtodetecttheveryshorthairsontheleaves.Leavesfeelsomewhatroughwhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.CanadawildryeandVir-giniawildryeseedlingsareverysimilar.

look-alikesCanadawildrye:leavessmoothwhen

rubbedIndiangrass:flattenedtillerbaseswitchgrass:liguleatuftofhair

germination and growthVirginiawildryeisacool-seasongrass,andseedgerminatesreadilyinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltemperatureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Thisspeciescangrowinwettodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Virginiawildryemaybebestsuitedtothesomewhatshadyconditionsfoundinsavannasandopenwoods.

Virginia wild rye  Elymus virginicus | Poaceae, grass family

16 CM

0 15

102

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 3Roundedtillerbase,auriclesabsent,haironleafcollar

Junegrass,Koeleria macrantha

Kalm’sbromegrass,Bromus kalmii

103

Prairiecordgrass,Spartina pectinata

Switchgrass,Panicum virgatum

Prairiedropseed,Sporobolus heterolepis

Talldropseed,Sporobolus compositus

105

•roundedtillerbase•somehaironleafcollarmargins,•tiller,andleaves•shortligulewithraggedtop•ribbingprominentontopsideofleafblade

•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionJunegrasshasaroundedtillerbase.Somehaircanbefoundonthetil-ler,leaves,andleafcollar.Leavesfeelroughwhenrubbedfrombasetotipbutsmoothwhenrubbedfromleaftiptobase.Theemergentleafisrolled.

look-alikesKalm’sbromegrass:hairsprominent

alongleafmarginslittlebluestem:flattenedtillerbaseside-oatsgrama:hairswithswollenbase

prominentalongleafmargins

germination and growthJunegrassisacool-seasongrassthatgerminatesinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltemperatureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Seedgerminationisimprovedwithmoist-coldstratificationpriortoseeding.Thisspeciesgrowswellindrysoilsandfullsunlight.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

June grass  Koeleria macrantha | Poaceae, grass family

12 CM

0 2

106

•roundedtillerbase•pubescenthairprominentontillerandleafmargins

•shortligule•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionKalm’sbromegrasshasaroundedtillerbase.Seedlingsappearfuzzyfromtheabundantsofthaironthetillerandleafmargins.Theliguleisshortandmem-branous.Leavesfeelsoftwhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.

look-alikesJunegrass:foldedemergentleaflittlebluestem:foldedemergentleafside-oatsgrama:flattenedtillerbase

germination and growthKalm’sbromegrassisacool-seasongrassthatgerminatesreadilyinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltemperatureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Thisspeciesmaybebestsuitedtothesomewhatshadyconditionsfoundinsavannasoropenwoods.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Kalm’s bromegrass  Bromus kalmii | Poaceae, grass family

10 CM

0 6

107

•roundedtillerbase•somehaironleafcollar•fringeofhairsforligule•topsideofleafroughwhenrubbedtowardtiller

•leafandtillerhairabsent•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionPrairiecordgrasscanbedifficulttoidentifywhentheseedlingsaresmall.Acloselookwithahandlensisneededtofindsomehairsonthemarginoftheleafcollar.Iftheleafispulledawayfromthetiller,theligule,consistingofafringeofhairs,canbeseenwithahandlens.Smallserrationsontheleafmarginsmakethetopsideoftheleaffeelroughwhenrubbedtowardthetiller.Theundersideoftheleaffeelssmoothwhenrubbed.

look-alikesbluejointgrass:tallligulewithragged

topprairiedropseed:hairprominenton

leafcollartalldropseed:hairprominentonleaf

collar

germination and growthPrairiecordgrassisasod-formingwarm-seasongrassthatgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltem-peratureswarmto55̊ F.Thisspeciesgrowsinwettomesicsoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Prairie cord grass  Spartina pectinata | Poaceae, grass family

10 CM

0 5

108

•roundedtillerbase•prominenthairsonleafcollarmargins

•long,thin,wispyleaves•hairytiller•leafsurfacesmoothwhenrubbed•verysmallligulewithciliatetop•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionPrairiedropseedhasaroundedtillerbase.Leavesandhairareverydistinc-tiveforthisspecies.Theleavesarelongandthin,givingthemawispyappear-ance.Thehairsonthemarginoftheleafcollarappearasatuftthatcanbeseeneasilywithoutahandlens.Hairisprominentonthetillerbutabsentontheleaf.Leavesfeelsmoothwhenrubbedbetweenthefingers.

look-alikesbluejointgrass:tallligulewithragged

topprairiecordgrass:tillerhairabsenttalldropseed:tillerhairabsent

germination and growthPrairiedropseedisabunch-formingwarm-seasongrassthatgerminatesinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Moist-coldstratificationmayimproveseedgermination.Longwispyleavesemergingfromdensebunchesmakethisspeciesanidealornamentalplantforlandscaping.Prairiedropseedgrowswellinmesictodrysoilsandinfullorpartialsunlight.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Prairie dropseed  Sporobolus heterolepis | Poaceae, grass family

12 CM

0 2

109

•roundedtillerbase•haironmarginsofleafcollar•hairtuftinsideleafcollar•leafmidribprominent•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionSwitchgrasshasaroundedtillerbase.Seedlingshaveatuftofhairthatisuniquetothisspecies,locatedneartheliguleandinsidetheleafcollar.Theliguleconsistsofafringeofhairsonolderseedlingsbutisdifficulttodetectonyoungseedlings.

look-alikesCanadawildrye:auriclespresentIndiangrass:tall,hardenedliguleVirginiawildrye:auriclespresent

germination and growthSwitchgrassisasod-formingwarm-seasongrassthatgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Becauseofitshardseedcoat,dormantseedingmayimprovegermina-tion.Thisspeciesgrowsinwettodrysoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedphoto:hullremoved(top,middle),hullintact(bottom).

Switchgrass  Panicum virgatum | Poaceae, grass family

17 CM

0 3

110

•roundedtillerbase•hairsonleafcollarmargins•wispy,long,thinleaveswithpointedtips

•hairabsentontillerandleaves•leafsurfacesmoothwhenrubbed•verysmallligulewithciliatetop•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionTalldropseedhasaroundedtillerbase.Theleavesarelongandthin,givingthemawispyappearance.Thehaironthemarginoftheleafcollarsometimesappearsasatuft,visiblewithoutahandlens.Veryfinehairsontheshort,membranousligulecanbeseenwithahandlens.Leavesandtillerarehairless.Leavesfeelsmoothwhenrubbedbe-tweenthefingers.

look-alikesbluejointgrass:tallliguleprairiecordgrass:topsideofleafrough

whenrubbedtowardtillerprairiedropseed:hairsontiller

germination and growthTalldropseedisabunch-formingwarm-seasongrassthatgerminatesreadilyinlatespringwhensoiltemperatureswarmto55̊ F.Seedisverysmallandestab-lisheswellifbroadcastandrakedlightlyintothesoil.Thisspeciesgrowswellindriersoilsinfullsunlight.Seedphoto:hullremoved.

Tall dropseed  Sporobolus compositus | Poaceae, grass family

15 CM

0 2

111

Grasses: Key Characteristic Group 4Roundedtillerbase,auriclesabsent,hairabsentonleafcollar

Porcupinegrass,Hesperostipa spartea

113

•roundedtillerbase•leafblademarginsrolledinward•tall,membranous,dome-shapedligule

•leafgrabsfingerwhenrubbedtowardtiller

•darkgreen•rolledemergentleaf

seedling descriptionPorcupinegrasshasaroundedtillerbase.Leavesarelongandthin,givingthemawispyappearance.Seedlingsofthisspeciesareamuchdarkergreenthanmostothergrassspecies.Theleafmarginsnearthetiparerolledinwardtowardthemiddleoftheleaf.Tinysharpteethontheleafmarginsgrabthefingerswhentheleavesarerubbedto-wardthetiller.Thedome-shaped,mem-branousliguleisprominentandcanbeseenwithoutahandlens.

look-alikesbluejointgrass:flattenedtillerbaseprairiecordgrass:liguleafringeofhairsprairiedropseed:coarsehairsonmargin

ofleafcollartalldropseed:coarsehairsonmarginof

leafcollar

germination and growthPorcupinegrassisasod-formingcool-seasongrassthatgerminatesinearlyspringorfallwhensoiltemperatureswarmorcoolto39–45̊ F.Seedgermina-tionisimprovedwithmoist-coldstrati-ficationpriortoseeding.Thisspeciesgrowsindriersoilsandinfulltopartialsunlight.Seedphoto:hullintact(top),hullremoved(bottom).

Porcupine grass  Hesperostipa spartea | Poaceae, grass family

19 CM

Alternate leaf arrangement: A single leaf at each stem node. See also opposite leaf arrangement.

Annual: Plant that germinates from seed, flowers, sets seed, and dies in the same year.

Auricle: Appendage extending from the leaf collar.

Awn: Stiff bristle-like hair extending from the end of a grass seed.

Biennial: Plant that germinates from seed and grows vegetatively in the first year; flowers, sets seed, and dies in the second year.

Blade: The portion of a grass leaf above the sheath, or the broad portion of a forb leaf.

Bristle: Short, stiff hair. Bulblet: Small bulb borne above ground,

usually in a leaf axil.Bunch-forming grass: Grass whose shoots

emerge close to the parent plant.Ciliate: Having very small, fine hairs; often

describes the edge of a biological structure such as a ligule or a leaf.

Clasping leaf: Leaf blade that wholly or partly surrounds the stem.

Collar: The area on the outside of a grass leaf at the junction of the blade and the sheath.

Compound leaf: Leaf that is distinctly sepa-rated into 2 or more leaflets.

Cool-season grass: A species that germi-nates and grows in spring or fall when soils are cool and moist.

Cotyledon: The first leaf that emerges from a grass seed, or the first leaf or leaf pair that emerges from a forb seed.

Crenate leaf margin: Notched, scalloped leaf margin with rounded teeth.

Crown: The area of a plant where the stem meets the roots.

Culm: The stem of a grass. See also shoot or tiller.

Deltoid leaf shape: Leaf shaped like an equi-lateral triangle.

Dentate: Leaf margin with teeth pointed outward rather than toward the leaf tip.

Dissected leaf margin: Leaf edge deeply divided into many segments.

Double dormancy: Refers to seed that may require moist-warm stratification fol-lowed by moist-cold stratification to germinate.

Dry-cold stratification: A technique to break seed dormancy; usually accom-plished by storage of seed in a dry con-tainer under refrigeration for 8 weeks.

Dry-mesic soil: The soil typically of brown, sandy loam; classified as somewhat ex-cessively drained. Water soaks into the ground rapidly, and soil may dry out periodically during the growing season.

Dry soil: Soil typically of coarse-textured sandy or rocky material; classified as ex-cessively drained. Soil becomes droughty for part or most of the growing season.

Edged stem: Stem that is not cylinder-shaped; one that is square or football-shaped in cross section. Edge can be detected by rolling the stem between the fingers.

Elliptic leaf shape: An oval, broadest at the middle and narrower at the two equal ends; width does not exceed half of length.

Emergent leaf: Uppermost developing leaf of a grass shoot.

Even-pinnate compound leaf: Leaf dis-tinctly separated into an even number of leaflet pairs.

Folded leaf: Grass leaf blade folded longitu-dinally down the middle.

Forb: Plant that is not a grass, sedge, or tree.Glabrous: Hairless.Hull: Outer covering of a seed.Keel: Having a prominent ridge, as down

the middle of a grass leaf, resembling

glossary

116

the keel of a boat when viewed in cross section.

Lanceolate leaf shape: Leaf shaped like a spear, i.e., wide at the base and tapering to a pointed tip.

Leaflet: Leaflike division of a compound leaf.Ligule: A membranous appendage, aris-

ing from the inner surface of a leaf at the junction with the leaf sheath, of many grasses and some sedges.

Linear leaf shape: Long, narrow leaf with somewhat parallel sides.

Margin: Edge of an appendage.Membranous: Having tissue that is thin,

flexible, and somewhat translucent.Mesic soil: Typically dark and loamy; clas-

sified as well or moderately well drained. Soil has a well-balanced supply of mois-ture for plant growth; ideal garden soil.

Midrib: The central vein on a grass blade, often raised (keeled) on the underside of the blade.

Midvein: The central vein dividing a leaf into halves.

Moist-cold stratification: A technique to break seed dormancy; usually accom-plished by storage of seed in moist sand under refrigeration for 8 weeks.

Netted leaf venation: Network of lines on a leaf blade.

Node: An area on a stem where leaves origi-nate, or a swollen area on a grass tiller.

Oblong leaf shape: Leaf length 2–4 times the width; sides nearly parallel.

Obovate leaf shape: Balloon-shaped leaf connected at its narrow end.

Odd-pinnate compound leaf shape: Leaf separated into an odd number of leaflets.

Opposite leaf arrangement: Two opposing leaves at each stem node. See also alternate leaf arrangement.

Oval leaf shape: Egg-shaped leaf whose width exceeds one-half its length.

Pappus: Bristle-like hairs connected to a seed.

Partial sunlight: Up to 70% shade.Perennial: Plant living 3 or more years.Petiole: Leaf stalk.Pod: Seed capsule.Pubescent: Covered with short, soft hairs.Ragged top ligule: Ligule with multiple

splits in its terminal end.Reniform leaf shape: Kidney-shaped leaf.Scarification: A technique to break seed

dormancy; usually accomplished by scratching a hard seed coat to allow water to penetrate.

Seed dormancy: Live seed that has not been prompted to germinate.

Serrated leaf margin: Leaf edge that is notched or toothed.

Sessile leaf attachment: Leaf blade attached directly to the stalk without a petiole.

Sheath: The base of a grass leaf surrounding the stem below the collar.

Shoot: The stem of a grass. See also culm or tiller.

Simple leaf: An undivided leaf blade.Sod-forming grass: Grass whose shoots

emerge away from the parent plant.Spatulate leaf shape: Broad, round leaf blade

gradually tapering to the base.Stem: The aboveground portion of a plant

that bears nodes, leaves, and buds.Stipules: Leaflike or threadlike appendages

at the base of the petiole; typically found on plants in the legume family.

Tiller: The stem of a grass. See also shoot or culm.

Warm-season grass: Species that germinates in late spring and grows during the hot summer months.

Wet-mesic soil: Soil typically of light-colored clay; classified as poorly or somewhat poorly drained. Soil remains wet for periods during the growing season.

Whorl: Three or more leaves arising from a single node on a stem.

117

Alexanders, golden, 59Allium canadense, 83

A. stellatum, 79Amorpha canescens, 7Andropogon gerardii, 91Anemone, Canada, 55Anemone canadensis, 55

A. cylindrica, 72Artemisia ludoviciana, 24Asclepias incarnata, 35

A. tuberosa, 29Aster, heath, 62

New England, 23smooth blue, 69

Astragalus canadensis, 16

Baptisia alba, 18B. bracteata, 15

Beardtongue, foxglove, 57Bergamot, wild, 48Black-eyed Susan, 53Blazing star, prairie, 78

rough, 82Bluestem, big, 91

little, 94Boneset, tall, 36Bouteloua curtipendula, 95Bromegrass, Kalm’s, 106Bromus kalmii, 106

Calamagrostis canadensis, 92Chamaecrista fasciculata

[Cassia fasciculata], 17Ceanothus americanus, 8Clover, purple prairie, 9

round-headed bush, 10white prairie, 12

Compass plant, 56Coneflower, fragrant, 58

gray-headed, 60pale purple, 64

Coreopsis, prairie, 46Coreopsis palmata, 46Culver’s root, 30

Dalea candida, 12D. purpurea, 9

Desmodium canadense, 11Dropseed, prairie, 108

tall, 110

Echinacea pallida, 64Elymus canadensis, 99

E. virginicus, 100Eryngium yuccifolium, 81Eupatorium altissimum, 36Euphorbia corollata, 21Euthamia graminifolia, 22

Garlic, wild, 83Gentian, bottle, 54Gentiana andrewsii, 54Geum triflorum, 65Goldenrod, grass-leaved, 22

old field, 63showy, 68stiff, 71

Grama, side-oats, 95Grass, bluejoint, 92

Indian, 93June, 105porcupine, 113prairie cord, 107

Helenium autumnale, 70Helianthus grosseserratus, 34

H. pauciflorus, 33Heliopsis helianthoides, 45Hesperostipa spartea [Stipa

spartea], 113

Indigo, cream false, 15white wild, 18

Ironweed, 31

Koeleria macrantha, 105

Leadplant, 7Lespedeza capitata, 10

Liatris aspera, 82L. pycnostachya, 78

Lobelia, great blue, 61Lobelia siphilitica, 61

Milkweed, butterfly, 29swamp, 35

Monarda fistulosa, 48Mountain mint, common, 42

hairy, 43slender, 47

New Jersey tea, 8

Oligoneuron rigidum [Solidago rigida], 71

Onion, prairie, 79

Panicum virgatum, 109Parthenium integrifolium, 73Pea, partridge, 17Penstemon digitalis, 57Phlox, prairie, 32Phlox pilosa, 32Prairie smoke, 65Pycnanthemum pilosum, 43

P. tenuifolium, 47P. virginianum, 42

Quinine, wild, 73

Ratibida pinnata, 60Rattlesnake master, 81Rosinweed, 67Rudbeckia hirta, 53

R. subtomentosa, 58Rye, Canada wild, 99

Virginia wild, 100

Sage, white, 24Schizachyrium scoparium, 94Silphium integrifolium, 67

S. laciniatum, 56Sneezeweed, 70

index

118

Solidago nemoralis, 63S. speciosa, 68

Sorghastrum nutans, 93Spartina pectinata, 107Spiderwort, Ohio, 77

prairie, 80Sporobolus compositus, 110

S. heterolepis, 108Spurge, flowering, 21Sunflower, ox-eye, 45

prairie, 33saw-tooth, 34

Switchgrass, 109Symphyotrichum ericoides,

[Aster ericoides], 62S. laeve, [Aster laevis], 69S. novae-angliae, [Aster novae-angliae], 23

Thimbleweed, 72Tick trefoil, showy, 11Tradescantia bracteata, 80

T. ohiensis, 77

Verbena hastata, 41V. stricta, 44

Vernonia fasciculata, 31Veronicastrum virginicum,

30Vervain, blue, 41

hoary, 44Vetch, milk, 16Viola pedatifida, 66Violet, prairie, 66

Zizia aurea, 59

The Butterflies of Iowa By Dennis W. Schlicht, John C. Downey, and Jeffrey Nekola

A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa By James J. Dinsmore

Deep Nature: Photographs from Iowa Photographs by Linda Scarth and Robert Scarth, essay by John Pearson

The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States By Chris Helzer

The Elemental Prairie: Sixty Tallgrass Plants By George Olson and John Madson

The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa By Cornelia F. Mutel

Enchanted by Prairie By Bill Witt and Osha Gray Davidson

An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants By Paul Christiansen and Mark Müller

The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas By Laura Spess Jackson, Carol A. Thompson, and James J. Dinsmore

The Iowa Nature Calendar By Jean C. Prior and James Sandrock, illustrated by Claudia McGehee

Landforms of Iowa By Jean C. Prior

A Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction By Carl Kurtz

Prairie: A North American Guide By Suzanne Winckler

Prairie in Your Pocket: A Guide to Plants of the Tallgrass Prairie By Mark Müller

Prairies, Forests, and Wetlands: The Restoration of Natural Landscape Communities in Iowa By Janette R. Thompson

Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie: An Illustrated Manual for Iowa and the Upper Midwest By Shirley Shirley

A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet By Claudia McGehee

The Vascular Plants of Iowa: An Annotated Checklist and Natural History By Lawrence J. Eilers and Dean M. Roosa

Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie By John Madson

Wildflowers and Other Plants of Iowa Wetlands By Sylvan T. Runkel and Dean M. Roosa

Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands By Sylvan T. Runkel and Alvin F. Bull

Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest By Sylvan T. Runkel and Dean M. Roosa

A Woodland Counting Book By Claudia McGehee

other bur oak books of interest