| Actual Image
Baptisia bracteata (20)
jpdenk
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 283 W: 1 N: 417]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (1132) | Baptisia bracteata Muhl. ex Ell. var. glabrescens (Larisey) Isely (corrected name), Cream Wild Indigo, formerly B. leucophaea. In the Chicago area, this member of the Leguminosae is a prairie plant, found only in relatively high-quality mesic or sandy prairie remnants, where it can be quite abundant. Unfortunately, any kind of prairie remnant in Illinois is a rarity, as more than 99.9% of the prairie ecosystem that was so extensive here has now been destroyed, and most of what is left is low quality habitat.
The attractive pale yellow flowers and the silvery-green foliage makes this one of the most attractive of the Spring prairie wildflowers.
I've added a workshop image to show an overview of an area with several of these plants in bloom to give more of an idea of how they grow. They're low (about one foot tall) sprawling forbs (non-woody plants) that form mounds of attractive foliage with the pale yellow flowers glowing against the green of the other prairie plants, quite a sight when seen in person.
I believe that this is the first time that this species has been posted here. |
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