What's in Bloom

McDonald Woods: Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), toothwort (Dentaria laciniata), Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), white trout lily (Erythronium albidum), yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum), false rue anemone (Isopyrum biternatum), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), early buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum).

Prairie and Skokie River: Cool soil temperatures have kept prairie plants sleeping past their usual spring awakening. Early flowering plants should soon be visible. These plants are colorful, but small, so look carefully and you will spot yellow marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) along river banks and in wet areas, wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides), sedges (Carex sp.), shooting star (Dodecatheon media), strawberries (Fragaria virginiana), prairie smoke (Geum triflorum), downy phlox (Phlox pilosa), Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans), golden ragwort (Senecio aurea), starry false Solomon's seal (Smilacina stellata), and golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) along the pathways and hillside.