Wildflowers we love
Royal Catchfly
Royal Catchfly
Royal Catchfly
(Silene regia)
Also known as: Prairie Fire
Family: Campion, Caryophyllaceae
Flowering Period: July - August
Attracts: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern & Westernmost prairies (Topinabee & Pokagon)
- Wildflower Insight -
Why "Catchfly"? This wildflower possesses a rather sticky stem and leaves, which ca
(Silene regia)
Also known as: Prairie Fire
Family: Campion, Caryophyllaceae
Flowering Period: July - August
Attracts: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern & Westernmost prairies (Topinabee & Pokagon)
- Wildflower Insight -
Why "Catchfly"? This wildflower possesses a rather sticky stem and leaves, which causes the tiniest of insects to get stuck. In turn, they act as a pesticide to keep other bugs away. She is also one of the few red wildflowers that arise naturally within a prairie; we have another that will be joining her in the form of Cardinal Flower (Lobelia family), which was recently added to our prairies in May 2026. This is an exquisite wildflower as she carriers a rather high conservation coefficient (10!); this means she is a bit "finicky" and prefers the perfect conditions and support for successful growth. Winnemac provides just that.
Blackroot
Royal Catchfly
Royal Catchfly
(Veronicastrum virginicum)
Also known as: Culver's Root
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June - August
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee), Massaw Patch
- Wildflower Insight -
This is another popular, yet crucial plant within our park. It not only attracts a healthy variety of
(Veronicastrum virginicum)
Also known as: Culver's Root
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June - August
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee), Massaw Patch
- Wildflower Insight -
This is another popular, yet crucial plant within our park. It not only attracts a healthy variety of species to their inflorescence, it is one of the few wildflower in our park to possess this "spike-like" structure. Known as a pain alleviator and "cleanser", this wildflower has been used for centuries within native tribes (Chippewa, Iroquois, etc.) as a laxative or way to induce vomiting. Doing so can treat a host of ailments such as chills, coughing, backaches, and beyond. The name "Culver" is presumed to be named after the physician who brought these medicinal uses to light, however, no such individual is on record.
Giant Ironweed
Royal Catchfly
Giant Ironweed
(Vernonia gigantea)
Also known as: Tall Ironweed
Family: Asteraceae, Aster/Daisy
Flowering Period: August-September
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Did you know that Winnemac is home to some of the tallest Ironweed within the city of Chicago? There must be a bit of mag
(Vernonia gigantea)
Also known as: Tall Ironweed
Family: Asteraceae, Aster/Daisy
Flowering Period: August-September
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Did you know that Winnemac is home to some of the tallest Ironweed within the city of Chicago? There must be a bit of magic in our soil, for this wildflower takes on new heights here in the park, easily climibing upward to 9 feet tall. She prefers to show off her height over on the west end - and we promise - you cannot miss her once July rolls around.
Wild Bergamot
Queen of The Prairie
Giant Ironweed
(Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as: Bee Balm
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: September - October
Attracts: bees, butterflies & other insects
Location(s): nearly every prairie; she attracts an astounding array of pollinating of friends and is among the most active wildflower we have in our park.
- Wildflower Insight -
This wildflower i
(Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as: Bee Balm
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: September - October
Attracts: bees, butterflies & other insects
Location(s): nearly every prairie; she attracts an astounding array of pollinating of friends and is among the most active wildflower we have in our park.
- Wildflower Insight -
This wildflower is often called "bee balm", while it attracts a plethora of bees to its petals, those same petals when crushed also contain the essence that help alleviate a bee sting.
Cup Plant
Queen of The Prairie
Queen of The Prairie
(Silphium perfoliatum)
Also known as: Indian Cup
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June-October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Easternmost Prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
This is a species that truly benefits our wildlife in more ways than one; in Winnemac, these wildflowers create a small habitat, especially f
(Silphium perfoliatum)
Also known as: Indian Cup
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June-October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Easternmost Prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
This is a species that truly benefits our wildlife in more ways than one; in Winnemac, these wildflowers create a small habitat, especially for our American Goldfinch. With their huge, sandpaper-like leaves, ability to collect water and seeds, and the nutrients they produce, they are able to provide everything an avian needs for nesting season. Because their leaves hold water, insects and other species are also able to benefit during drier times.
Queen of The Prairie
Queen of The Prairie
Queen of The Prairie
(Filipendula rubra)
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June-August
Location(s): it is from the depths of our western prairie (Watchekee) that this queen reigns.
- Wildflower Insight -
This is a member of the native rose family and is known to draw more than just a few pollinating friends. She was spotted in our prairies for th
(Filipendula rubra)
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June-August
Location(s): it is from the depths of our western prairie (Watchekee) that this queen reigns.
- Wildflower Insight -
This is a member of the native rose family and is known to draw more than just a few pollinating friends. She was spotted in our prairies for the first time in 2025, giving us a regal thrill. Her location is not obvious as she chooses to hide her crown in the depths of our westernmost prairie, but once you spot her, you may just be provoked to drop into a curtsey.
Sweet Indian Plantain
Sweet Indian Plantain
Sweet Indian Plantain
(Hasteola suaveolens)
Also known as: False Indian Plantain
Family: Asteraceae, Aster/Daisy
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Eastern Prairie (Topinabee), Central Prairie (Neshnabék) & Pocket Patches (Metea & Waubonsee)
- Wildflower Insight -
When this beauty blooms, she becomes one of the most popular gals in the park. The variet
(Hasteola suaveolens)
Also known as: False Indian Plantain
Family: Asteraceae, Aster/Daisy
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Eastern Prairie (Topinabee), Central Prairie (Neshnabék) & Pocket Patches (Metea & Waubonsee)
- Wildflower Insight -
When this beauty blooms, she becomes one of the most popular gals in the park. The variety that they draw to their inflorescence (aka petals) is astounding. Upward to 15 different species of pollinating friends can be seen gathering to one plant al at the same time. Moreover, she is a wonderful wildflower to have present, especially in such quantity, for they have experienced a heavy decline due to habitat destruction in modern years and fall upon endangered lists in various eastern states.
Showy tick-trefoil
Sweet Indian Plantain
Sweet Indian Plantain
(Desmodium canadense)
Also known as: Canada tickclover
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June-August
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Here, we have one of our favorite peas in the park (alongside our Partridge Pea and Blue False Indigo). This hot pink
(Desmodium canadense)
Also known as: Canada tickclover
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June-August
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Westernmost Prairies (Pokagon & Watchekee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Here, we have one of our favorite peas in the park (alongside our Partridge Pea and Blue False Indigo). This hot pink beauty is newer to our park with her first appearance in the Children's Prairie in 2024. Since, she has spread to our other western prairies, giving us a lovely splash of color on the west side.
Indian Hemp
Sweet Indian Plantain
Canadian Goldenrod
(Apocycnum cannabinum)
Also known as: Dogbane, Honeybloom
Family: Apocynaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék)
- Wildflower Insight -
This seemingly unassuming wildflower is anything but; while her blooms are rather modest, she acts as a fine host to countless species, including a park favor
(Apocycnum cannabinum)
Also known as: Dogbane, Honeybloom
Family: Apocynaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék)
- Wildflower Insight -
This seemingly unassuming wildflower is anything but; while her blooms are rather modest, she acts as a fine host to countless species, including a park favorite, Dogbane Beetles (Chrysochus auratus) who find a food resource and breeding grounds among their leaves. Like Milkweed, their sap is highly poisonous; this helps lead to their unique appearance. The same can be said for Monarchs alongside Large Milkweed Bugs and Red Milkweed Beetles. It is what is within her stem that acts as a fantastic resource, as the strings that make up her essence, are used for nets, baskets, bow strings, and textiles.
Canadian Goldenrod
Canadian Goldenrod
Canadian Goldenrod
(Solidago canadensis)
Also known as: Prairie Goldenrod
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: September-October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Known for growing tall and spreading quickly, we aren't too fast to complain about it here in Winnemac. This wildflower attracts an abun
(Solidago canadensis)
Also known as: Prairie Goldenrod
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: September-October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Known for growing tall and spreading quickly, we aren't too fast to complain about it here in Winnemac. This wildflower attracts an abundance of species to her late-season blooms and while seemingly common, her ability to provide nourishment to so many insects, especially later in the season, makes her one of our favorites.
Obedient Plant
Canadian Goldenrod
Obedient Plant
(Physotegia virginiana)
Also known as: False Dragonhead
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: August - October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
This purple beauty is known to hang out along the fence lines of our central prairie and make a few heads turn in the process. This member
(Physotegia virginiana)
Also known as: False Dragonhead
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: August - October
Location(s): Central Prairie (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
This purple beauty is known to hang out along the fence lines of our central prairie and make a few heads turn in the process. This member of the mint family is not only adaptable (handling drier times and rainier conditions well), she is also rather malleable. Her tube-like flowers have the ability to be slightly moved; once adjusted, they will stay in place. Flowers may also be pink.
Compass Plant
Canadian Goldenrod
Obedient Plant
(Silphium laciniatum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Central (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Deeply rooted with uniquely huge leaves, the Compass Plant possesses a few features that are worthy of knowing for your next trip to the park. First, the way its leaves are ori
(Silphium laciniatum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Central (Neshnabék), Eastern prairie (Topinabee)
- Wildflower Insight -
Deeply rooted with uniquely huge leaves, the Compass Plant possesses a few features that are worthy of knowing for your next trip to the park. First, the way its leaves are oriented is by no mistake, for they fall on a North/South axis, allowing the plant to protect itself and its resources. It's height, sometimes reaching up to 10 feet, makes it easy to be found and therefore, an easy guider in the tall grasses.
WINNEMAC PRAIRIE MAP
We finally have our park and prairies all mapped out for you to explore and learn all about the wonderful wildflowers that fill Winnemac Park!
Prairies are listed directionally and by their informal names, bringing Potawatomi Individuals and chiefs to the forefront alongside highlighting Bodwéwadmimwen, the language of the Potawatomi people.
The wonderful wildflowers of winnemac
A
ANISE HYSSOP
(Agastache foeniculum)
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: May - June
Location(s): Children's Prairie
B
BIENNIAL GAURA
(Oenothera gaura)
Family: Onagraceae, Primrose
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Central Prairie
BIG BLUESTEM
(Andropogon gerardii)
Family: Poaceae, Grass
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Waubonsee Patch
BLACKROOT
(Veronicastrum virginicum)
Also Known As: Culver's Root
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: June - August
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Central Prairie, Massaw Patch, Easternmost Prairie
BLUE FLAG
(Iris virginica)
Family: Iridaceae, Iris
Flowering Period: May - July
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie
BLUE VERVAIN
(Verbena hastata)
Family: Verbenaceae, Verbena
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
BLUE WILD INDIGO
(Baptisia austrailis)
Family: Fabaceae, Pea
Flowering Period: May - July
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Widoktadwen Patch
BROWN-EYED SUSAN
(Rudbeckia triloba)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: May - July
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Massaw Patch, Easternmost Prairie
BUTTERFLY WEED
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Family: Asclepiadaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Central Prairie
C
CANADIAN ANEMONE
(Anemone canadensis)
Family: Rununculaceae, Buttercup
Flowering Period: May - July
Location(s): all main prairies & Massaw patch
CANADIAN GOLDENROD
(Solidago canadensis)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster/Daisy
Flowering Period: August - September
Location(s): Central Prairie, Westernmost Patch, Easternmost Patch
CARDINAL FLOWER
(Lobelia cardinalis)
Family: Campanulaceae , Lobelia
Flowering Period: Late July - September
Location: Children's Prairie & Westernmost Prairie
COMMON BLUE VIOLET
(Viola sororia)
Family: Malpighiaceae, Violet
Flowering Period: April - June (our first to bloom in the park!)
Location(s): Central Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
COMMON EVENING PRIMROSE
(Oenathera biennis)
Family: Onagraceae, Primrose
Flowering Period: June - November
COMMON MILKWEED
(Asclepias syriaca)
Family: Asclepiadaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: June - August
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
COMMON PARTRIDGE PEA
(Chamaecrista fasciculata), Wild Senna
Family: Fabaceae, Pea
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Central Prairie
COMMON SNEEZEWEED
(Helenium autumnale)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: September - October
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie
COMPASS PLANT
(Silphium laciniatum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Easternmost Prairie, Widoktadwen Patch
CUP PLANT
(Silphium perfoliatum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - October
Location(s): Central Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
CUT-LEAVED CONEFLOWER
(Rudbeckia laciniata)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: August - October
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie
E
EARLY FIGWORT
(Scrophularia lanceolata)
Family: Scrophulariaceae, Figworts
Flowering Period: May - June
EARLY GOLDENROD
(Solidago juncea)
Family: Asteracae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie
EARLY MEADOW-RUE
(Thalictrum dioicum)
Family: Ranunculaceae, Buttercup
Flowering Period: May - June
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Bidagen & Massaw Patches
EASTERN SHOOTING STAR
(Dodecatheon meadia)
Family: Primulaceae, Primrose
Flowering Period: May - June
Location(s): Central Prairie, Metea Patch, Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie, Bidagen Patch
Note: 50 new Eastern Shooting Star plantings were installed throughout our prairies in June 2026
F
FALSE SUNFLOWER
(Heliopsis helianthoides), Ox-eye Sunflower
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - October
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Central Prairie, Metea Patch
FLAT-TOPPED WHITE ASTER
(Doellingeria umbellata)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: Late July-September
Location(s): Central Prairie
Note: 2026 was the first summer this wildflower was spotted in our prairies.
FOXGLOVE BEARDTONGUE
(Penstemon digitalis)
Family: Plantaginaceae, Plantain
Flowering Period: May - July
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Metea Patch, Central Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
G
GIANT IRONWEED
(Vernonia gigantea)
Also known as: Tall Ironweed
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
Note: We have some of the tallest-growing Ironweed within the city! Compared to other natural areas that have been established across our urban landscape, ours has proven to be among the strongest.
GOLDEN ALEXANDER
(Zizia aurea)
Family: Apiaceae, Carrot
Flowering Period: April - June
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
GRAY-HEADED CONEFLOWER
(Ratibida pinnata)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: May - September
Location(s): Easternmost & Westernmost Prairie
GREAT BLUE LOBELIA
(Lobelia siphilitica)
Family: Lobeliaceae
Flowering Period: July - October
I
ILLINOIS BUNDLE FLOWER
(Desmanthus illinoensis)
Family: Mimosaceae, Legume
Flowering Period: July - August
Location(s): Metea & Waubonsee Patches
INDIAN HEMP
(Apocycnum cannabinum)
Also known as: Dogbane
Family: Apocynaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
J
JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT
(Arisaema triphyllum)
Family: Araceae
Flowering Period: March - June
Introduced: May 2025, Natural Areas Committee
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie; added in May 2025, has not come to fruition quite yet as this wildflower often takes a moment to adapt to its territory and produce a flower.
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
(Helianthus tuberosus)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: April - June
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
JACOB'S LADDER
(Polemonium reptans), Greek Valerian
Family: Ericales
Flowering Period: April - June
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Waubonsee Patch, Central Prairie
JUMPSEED
(Antenoron virginianum)
Family: Polygonaceae
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
K
KANKAKEE MALLOW
(Iliamna remota)
Family: Malvaceae, Mallow
Flowering Period: July - August
Location(s): Children's Prairie
L
LANCED-LEAF COREOPSIS
(Coreopsis lanceolata)
Also known as: Sand Coreopsis
Family: Scrophulariaceae, Figwort
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Children's Prairie (Pokagon); recently added in May 2026; has not bloomed within our park quite yet.
LARGE-FLOWERED FAME FLOWER
(Phemeranthus calycinus)
Also known as: Rock Pink
Family: Purslane
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie (Pokagon); recently added in July 2026.
Note: This incredible flower has a trait that only allows them to last for one day. When their blooms open around noon, they only live for a few hours before transforming into a seed pod.
LATE FIGWORT
(Scrophularia marilandica)
Family: Scrophulariaceae, Figwort
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Widoktadwen Patch, Westernmost Prairie
Location(s): Children's Prairie (Pokagon) & Pocket Patch (Widoktadwen); recently added in August 2025.
N
NODDING WILD ONION
(Allium cernuum)
Family: Alliaceae, Allium; onion
Flowering Period: May - June
Location(s): Children's Prairie
O
OBEDIENT PLANT
(Physotegia virginiana), False Dragonhead
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: August - October
Location(s): Central Prairie, Easternmost Prairie
OHIO SPIDERWORT
(Tradescantia ohiensis)
Family: Commelinaceae, Spiderwort
Flowering Period: May - August
Location(s): thrives in nearly every prairie within our park, including pocket patches.
P
POKEWEED
(Phytolacca americana)
Family: Phytolaccaceae
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Westernmost Prairie
PRAIRIE BLAZING STAR
(Liatris pycnostachya)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - September
PRAIRIE DOCK
(Silphium terebinthinaceum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Central Prairie
Note: this wildflower possesses a very small presence here in our park, but thrives in its location.
PRAIRIE FLEABANE
(Erigeron strigosus)
Also known as: Daisy Fleabane
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - August
Location(s): All main prairies
Note: can take on a similar appearance to our Campions and Asters; can be verified by blooming time, which is earlier than both.
PRAIRIE SMOKE
(Geum triflorum)
Also known as: Old Man's Whiskers
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Flowering Period: April - June
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Widoktadwen Patch
Note: 50 plantings were incorporated into our prairies in June 2026
PURPLE CONEFLOWER
(Echinacea purpurea)
Also Known As: Hedgehog Coneflower
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Easternmost Prairie, Central Prairie
Note: Made their first-ever appearance in our park in 2025
Q
QUEEN OF THE PRAIRIE
(Filipendula Rubra)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Flowering Period: June - July
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie
Note: Made their first-ever appearance in our park in 2025
R
RATTLESNAKE MASTER
(Eryngium yuccifolium)
Family: Apiaceae, Carrot
Flowering Period: July - September
Location: Central prairie; after being seemingly dormant for nearly 3 years, she has made a comeback in 2026!
RED TRILLIUM
(Trillium erectum)
Family: Melanthiaceae
Flowering Period: June - September
Introduced: May 2025, Natural Areas Committee
Location: Central Prairie; very tough to find but makes an appearance in early spring.
ROSINWEED
(Silphium integrifolium)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - September
ROYAL CATCHFLY
(Silene regia)
Family: Caryophyllaceae, Pink; Carnation
Flowering Period: July - August
Location(s): Children's prairie, Easternmost Prairie, Central Prairie
ROUGH GOLDENROD
(Solidago rugosa)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: August - October
Location: Central prairie
Note: this lovely wildflower was added in seed form in winter of 2025. It has not been spotted in our prairies quite yet.
S
SHOWY TICK-TREFOIL
(Desmodium canadense)
Family: Fabaceae, Pea
Flowering Period: July-October
Location(s): Central Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie
SMOOTH BLUE ASTER
(Symphyotrichum laeve)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: September - November
Location(s): Central Prairie, Eaternmost Prairie
STARRY CAMPION
(Silene stellata)
Family: Caryophyllaceae, Pink; Carnation
Flowering Period: July - October
STEEPLEBUSH
(Spirea tomentosa)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Widoktadwen Patch
SWAMP MILKWEED
(Asclepias incarnata)
Also Known As: Rose Milkweed
Family: Apocynaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Central Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie
SWAMP MILKWEED (ICE BALLET)
(Asclepias incarnata)
Also Known As: Rose Milkweed
Family: Apocynaceae, Milkweed
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Central Prairie, Westernmost Prairie, Children's Prairie
Note: in our prairies for the first time in 2026; installed in late-May of the same year.
SWEET BLACK-EYED SUSAN
(Rudbeckia subtomentosa)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: August - September
SWEET INDIAN PLANTAIN
(Hasteola suaveolens)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Central Prairie, Easternmost Prairie, Metea & Waubonsee Pocket Patches
SWEET JOE PYE WEED
(Eutrochium purpureum), Purple Joe Pye-weed
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - September
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Central Prairie
T
TALL COREOPSIS
(Coreopsis tripteris)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: September - October
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Widoktadwen Patch
W
WILD BERGAMOT
(Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as: Bee Balm
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint
Flowering Period: September - October
Location(s): Found in all of our main prairies & almost all pocket patches.
WILD GERANIUM
(Geranium maculatum)
Family: Geraniaceae, Geranium
Flowering Period: April - July
Location(s): Westernmost Prairie, Widoktadwen Patch
WILD PETUNIA
(Ruellia humilis)
Family: Acanthaceae
Flowering Period: August - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie, Central Prairie
WHITE AVENS
(Geum canadense)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Flowering Period: May - September
Location(s): Massaw Patch
WHITE MEADOWSWEET
(Filependula ulmaria)
Family: Rosaceae, Rose
Flowering Period: June - September
Location(s): Children's Prairie
WHITE PANICLE ASTER
(Symphyotrichum lanceolatum)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: August - September
Location(s): Found in all of our main prairies
WHITE WILD INDIGO
(Baptisia lactea)
Family: Fabaceae, Pea
Flowering Period: May - August
Location(s): Central Prairie
WOODLAND SUNFLOWER
(Helianthus divaricatus), Rough Sunflower
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: July - October
Location(s): Central Prairie, Waubonsee Patch
Y
YARROW
(Achillea millefolium)
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Flowering Period: June - August
Location: Children's Prairie (Pokagon)
Please continue to be considerate of our Natural Areas; these spaces act as a home to countless species. To learn more about the wonders of Winnemac throughout the seasons, be sure to follow the journey!