An Evening at Rettenmund Prairie

By now our annual mid-June hike at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie (State Natural Area) has become a tradition. Last night we had eight repeaters among the 22 (or so) people on the trip.

The wood lilies, of course, were the main attraction, although this year they were about a week ahead of schedule (that very warm April), so we missed the peak. There were still plenty left, as well as such other rarities as Zigadenus elegans and Pediomelum esculentum. Also, coming along and soon to be in flower were compass plant, butterfly milkweed, lead plant, Coreopsis, rattlesnake master, and prairie cinquefoil. Mid-summer will be here before we know it!

Also coming along is sweet clover, one of the long-term menaces at Rettenmund.