Keep a Nature Journal

Shortgrass prairie plants are true survivors. Not only do they receive less than fourteen inches of precipitation per year, but they can withstand wild temperature fluctuations, drying winds and even fire. The plants found along our Big Dry Creek Nature Trail often have dense root systems, small leaves and wind-pollinated flowers to thrive under these extreme conditions. They also may sport traits such as gummy latex or thorns to keep all those hungry grazers away.

Common Name:Blazing Star Botanical Name:Liatris punctata	Common Name:Canada Goldenrod Botanical Name:Solidago canadensis
Common Name:Common Evening Primrose Botanical Name:Oenothera villosa	Common Name:Desert False Indigo Botanical Name:Amorpha fruticosa
Common Name: Golden Currant Botanical Name:Ribes aureum	Common Name:Gumweed Botanical Name:Grindelia squarrosa
Common Name:Horsetail Botanical Name:Equisetum sp.	Common Name:Indian Blanketflower Botanical Name:Gaillardia aristata
Common Name:Indian Hemp Botanical Name:Apocynum cannabinum	Common Name:Inland Saltgrass Botanical Name:Distichlis stricta
Common Name: Orange Globemallow Botanical Name:Sphaeralcea coccinea	Common Name: Peach-leaved Willow Botanical Name:Salix amygdaloides
Common Name: Plains Cottonwood Botanical Name:Populus deltoides	Common Name:Plains Pricklypear Botanical Name:Opuntia polyacantha
Common Name: Prairie Cordgrass Botanical Name:Spartinia pectinata	Common Name: Prickly Poppy Botanical Name:Argemone polyanthemos
Common Name:Rocky Mountain Beeplant Botanical Name:Cleome serrulata	Common Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Botanical Name:Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Common Name:Rush Botanical Name:Juncus sp.	Common Name:Sandbar Willow Botanical Name:Salix exigua
Common Name:Sedge Botanical Name:Carex sp.	Common Name: Showy Milkweed Botanical Name:Asclepias speciosa
Common Name: Smooth Spreading Four O'Clock Botanical Name:Mirabilis oxybaphoides	Common Name:Switchgrass Botanical Name:Panicum virgatum
Common Name:Western Snowberry Botanical Name:Symphoricarpos occidentalis	Common Name:Wild Licorice Botanical Name:Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Common Name:Wood's Rose Botanical Name:Rosa woodsii

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