Island in the Plains

Island in the Plains. . , Called “Paha Sapa,” “hills that are black” by the Oglala Sioux, this forested island rises 4,000 feet above the surrounding plains. From the prairie, these distant hills appear black. Covered with thick stands of ponderosa pine on the hills, and Black Hills spruce in the moist valleys, this area is rich in diversity. , There are approximately 1,000 plant species in the Black Hills area. Take a look around and see if you can identify any of these species: , Bur Oak , The acorns are an important food source for turkeys, grouse and deer. American Indian tribes boiled the bark and roots to help bowel problems. , Snowberry , Also called buckbrush, snowberry is easily recognized by the snowy white berries in the fall, and provides food for grouse, prairie chickens, deer and elk. Some tribes used the leaves to treat eye irritations., Big Bluestem , This perennial grass was the dominant species on the tallgrass prairie and can be identified by the fingered seed heads that look like a turkey foot. Young indian boys used the stalks to make arrow shafts to practice their shooting skills. , The Black Hills provide a unique melding of western and eastern species such as bur oak and paper birch among the pine and aspen. Lush grasslands are scattered throughout the hills and include big bluestem and green needlegrass.