A Winter Prairie Journey
By Quentin Ikuta, Community Volunteer Ambassador, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Copyright: Quentin Ikuta
At first glance, the winter prairie may appear to be desolate, cold, and uneventful. The peaceful stillness of the brownish-tan colored landscape seems to equate with hibernation; nothing to see here. However, upon further exploration, one may discover an ecosystem that remains very much alive and active despite the near-arctic, and sometimes very much arctic) winter conditions we experience in Minnesota. Seek and you will find many critters, seeds, plants, and other signs of life. (Click the pictures to enlarge.)
Zooming in, we find a stem of purple bergamot (Monarda media) standing sweetly, braving winter. This prairie friend is loved by pollinators, hummingbirds, and humans alike. Come spring, a new stem and flower will grow and this dried up stem will return to the soil to feed the next generation. If you come across one this winter, rub the seed head between your fingers and give it a good sniff. You may notice notes of mint, soil, and oregano.
Moving along the path we find an ice-kissed Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis). This prairie friend is often foraged upon by deer in the late summer and fall and is also incredibly kind to pollinators. Since goldenrod remains viable throughout the warmer months, some bees will utilize goldenrod pollen to make winter nests.
Even further along the path, we discover a collection of prairie clovers (genus: Dalea). Pollinators thoroughly enjoy this prairie friend. In the summer, you may bet on the fact that where there are prairie clovers there are bees. Now that it’s winter, if you give the seed head a gentle twist with your fingers, the seeds will disperse in a satisfying crumbling fashion. Like many other prairie friends, the seeds of prairie clover require a freeze/thaw cycle to become sucked into the ground and germinate. The freeze-thaw cycles of winter and spring help to give this friend new life.
Shifting our gaze from land to sky, we notice a nice, delicate bird nest that has seen the seasons change in this bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). This bur oak has dropped its leaves for the winter and is resting, preparing itself for the upcoming growing season. Bur oak is incredibly resistant to drought, and the acorns provide an important source of food to wildlife. If you’re ever feeling down, try visiting a bur oak. Appreciate the strength, resilience, and beauty of our friend the bur oak. Although more common to oak savanna landscapes, bur oaks commonly find themselves within tallgrass prairie.
Finally, as our prairie journey comes to an end, we come across a northern red oak (Quercus rubra). Conversely to the bur oak, this red oak holds onto its leaves throughout winter. This phenomenon is referred to as winter marcescence. One theory as to why this oak may be holding onto its leaves has to do with nutrition. Come spring, the leaves will drop as new buds and eventually leaves form. The leaves that drop in the spring will decompose and provide the tree more nutrients to flourish.
Our prairie journey has come to an end. Now, get outside and visit a prairie for yourself this winter! Enjoy being with all your friends on the prairie, investigating the traces of wildlife, and taking in the crisp, fresh, winter air that gives us all life.