Heron Rookery Exploration

Discover Wonderous Wildflowers

 

Overview

The rich, damp floodplain of the Little Calumet River supports a woodland who's understory bursts into life each spring. Some plant species are known as "ephermerals," they race to complete their life cycle before the trees' leaves emerge and block the sunlight. Have you met some of our plant friends? Click and drag the arrowed sliding tool to learn about some of the characters of Heron Rookery's wildflower show that dazzles the banks of the Little Calumet River. You can explore virtually or by taking a visit to the site. Send questions or observations by emailing Ranger Julie.

The best time to see ephemerals in bloom is from mid April through May. Similar wildflowers can be found in the region on the Little Calumet River Trail, the Hobart Prairie Grove Woodland Trail, and the Upland Trail near Pinhook Bog. Try hiking all four and discover similarities between the sites that help support these diverse displays!

Please be a good visitor!

To hep ensure a beautiful displays for years to come, please stay on the official trail and leave wildflowers where they are.
Use Leave No Trace principles.

 

1

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I get my name from being one of the first blooms and signs of springtime.

My anthers turn from red-wine colored to black, hence my other common name, "Pepper-and-Salt" 

 

2

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I have a distinctive, deeply clefted leaflet.

My common name comes from the shape of my rihzome.

 

3

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The mottled pattern of my leaves helps disguise them from being eaten by mammalian herbivores because they lack color vision.

I grow in large colonies (some have been dated over 300 years) where only about 0.5% of us will have a flower each year.

 

4

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My leaf is larger than my flower, and it surrounds my bloom when I emerge from the ground.

My name comes from bright orange/red liquid found in my stem, leaves, and roots.

 

5

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My leaves are shaped like a liver.

My stems are very hairy.

My flowers are lavender to white with 6 petals.

 

6

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I'm an abudant little bloom that remains in yards when neighborhoods are built over woodlands. 

Although I'm known as the "fairy spud," my corms were more commonly eaten by American Indians than forest sprites. 

 

7

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I am named for my flowers which are said to resemble upside down pairs of pants.

I need bumblebees to be pollinated, only they know how to seperate my outer and inner petals!

 

8

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I have three leaves and three petals.

My name would have you think I live in grasslands, but like most other ephemerals, I live in woodlands!

 

9

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I am pollinated by honey bees, bumble bees, and wasps; and I'm a favorite snack for deer!

I have three petals and three leaves, like my cousins!

Ants take my fruit underground where they eat the fatty, protein-rich bit and leave the seed. The following spring, the seed is in a perfect place for germination!

 

10

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My cousin is cut-leaved toothwort, but my blooms are more pink/purple!

Invasive garlic mustard will quickly remove me from a habitat, as I cannot compete. 

My other cousin, spring cress, has white flowers and blooms after me!

 

Take a Virtual Tour

Join Ranger Kim along the Heron Rookery Trail as she discusses its many qualities along with many botanical insights.

Grab a Trail Map

Great need-to-know information you'll be glad you snagged before taking your own Heron Rookery Trail hike.