Upcoming blazing star display at Rettenmund Prairie

At Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie within the next week or so we are anticipating a large display of two species of blazing star. Both dwarf blazing star (Liatris cylindracea) and rough blazing star (L. aspera) should be in full bloom as there are many plants in bud right now.

The best displays will be on the north unit (closest to the Preserve entrance). Dwarf is best at the top of the knoll, and rough on the west facing hill, although there should be good flowers throughout the Preserve.

We had a successful work party yesterday, and volunteers got to see the early beginnings of this floral display. The focus yesterday was on invasive brush, especially wild grape, which is fairly extensive. Each stem was cut with a hand clippers and the cut stem treated with 20% Garlon 4 in oil.

Rough blazing star at Rettenmund Prairie (2008 photo)

Last Tuesday our intern crew (supported by the Savanna Oak Foundation) worked at Rettenmund, hand pulling the remaining scattered sweet clover. Because it was in the late stages of flowering, all plants were bagged and transported to our dump, which will be burned at the first snow.

Also last Tuesday, Amanda mowed all the trails, so it should now be easy to walk the whole Preserve.