Prairies

Prairies. . It wasn't that long ago, the mid-1950s, that the Midwest, including Illinois, was covered by lush prairies. This land was blanketed with diverse varieties of grasses and wild flowers. Some grasses such as Big Bluestem, Prairie Cord and Indian grew so high that settlers on horseback couldn't see over them. These vast expanses provided a unique habitat for numerous species of insects, mammals and other animals. , , To survive the summer heat and inconsistent rainfall, prairie plants have developed complex root systems that extend deep into the ground. They act like a sponge to retain water and also help prevent soil erosion. Plants have also adapted to the naturally occurring or intentionally started prairie fire. These fires remove dead growth, enable some seeds to germinate and provide nutrients through the ash residue. , , The plot of ground in front of you has a selection of plants which would have grown in Illinois prairies before the coming of the Europeans. , , Turf Root System Vs. Native Prairie Root System , Native plant root systems can grow up to fifteen or twenty feet deep: turf only grows three inches deep. , , [Caption below the drawing of a prairie fire:] , This image of a prairie fire comes from the book Marvels of the New West, written by William Makepeace Thayer and first published in 1887.