The prairie is a place of extremes. Plants that live in it must be adapted to floods, drought, heat and cold. They must also be able to withstand extreme wind and blazing fire. How do they do it?
Every plant has its own strategy
Stems: The Tough and the Flexible
Some plants have thick stems which help them withstand the windy conditions on the prairie. Feel the cup plant and compass plant flowering stalks; they are very tough! The stems of grasses, however, are thin and flexible. They bend in the wind, and then spring right back up once it passes.
A Lot Going on Underground
Some of these long-lived perennials develop deep root systems – up to 20 feet. The roots provide fire insurance for the plant, and a way to reach water during drought. They are also food for many underground creatures. Two thirds of the prairie ecosystem is beneath your feet!
Water: A Precious Resource
Summertime in the prairie can bring drought conditions, and plants must conserve water to survive.
• Some have rough leaves, which keep the water from quickly evaporating.
• Other’s leaves, like the cup plant, collect rain water.
• Compass plants point their leaves north-south to avoid direct noonday sunlight.
This section contains some of the most unique plant species commonly found in tallgrass prairie ecosystems. Some of these plants have life spans that last for hundreds of years. That’s longer than some trees!
Click on the images below to learn more:
