Native Wildflowers of Wisconsin

Wild Senna (Senna marilandica)

Wild Senna

Wild senna (Senna marilandica) is a Wisconsin native perennial that grows up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in mid to late summer, forming in axillary racemes, with each flower about ¾ inch across. Pollination is primarily carried out by bumblebees and solitary bees. It is a bumblebee magnet. The compound, pinnate leaves bear four to eight pairs of ovate to elliptical leaflets, adding to its lush appearance. Wild senna thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including sandy and rocky soils. It is commonly found along woodland edges, open fields, thickets, and moist habitats such as riverbanks and wet prairies. Ecologically, it serves as a larval host for several sulphur butterflies and its seeds provide food for upland gamebirds like quail and dove, making it a valuable addition to native plantings and restoration projects. (July)

Western Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis)

The Western Sunflower is much more than an accent plant—it’s a keystone in Wisconsin’s dry, open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and rocky open woods, where it enjoys full sun and well-drained soils. Blooming in late summer, it offers vital nectar and pollen to native bees, butterflies, and beetles when few other wildflowers remain. Its seeds nourish birds like goldfinches, while its rhizomatous roots help stabilize soil in rocky, sunlit habitats. By supporting pollinators, enriching the food web, and anchoring biodiversity, this naive perennial plays a steady, sustaining role in prairie restoration and native plant communities

It typically grows to a height of two to four feet. Its bright yellow flowers are daisy-like and measure about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches across. The vibrant yellow disk in the center of the flower is composed of numerous, tiny disk florets. These flowers are surrounded by several overlapping bracts, which are light green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and about 1/4 inch long. The plant features long, often reddish, stiff stems that are mostly bare except for a few pairs of small, widely spaced leaves. The majority of the leaves form a basal rosette at the base of the plant, with the basal leaves being large, rough, and hairy, and attached by long stalks. The stem leaves are smaller and lanceolate, measuring around one to three inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inches wide. (SF)

Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

Sweet Coneflower is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It can exceed five feet in height, but it usually grows three to five feet tall. Its daisy-like flowers are bright yellow with a dark brownish-purple center disk and measure about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The upper leaves are typically lance-shaped to ovate and have a rough texture. They are smaller and narrower compared to the lower leaves, and they are arranged alternately along the stem. The leaves are usually toothed and have a grayish-green color. The lower and basal leaves reaching up to 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. The lower leaves are usually lobed with three to five lance-elliptic lobes and have coarsely toothed edges. Sweet Coneflower thrives in medium moisture, well-drained loam or sandy loam and prefers full or partial sun. It is commonly found in moist prairies, along streambanks, and in low areas. This plant is quite adaptable and can tolerate hot and humid summers, some drought, clay soil, and poor soils. (SF)

Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)

Nodding Onion

Nodding onion (Allium cernuum) is a Wisconsin native, perennial wildflower. It typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches. Its small flowers, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter, form in clusters that nod or droop, and are usually pink to lavender in color. Each cluster can have up to 30 individual flowers. The leaves are long, slender, and grass-like, measuring 6 to 12 inches in length and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in width. They grow from the base of the plant and have a smooth texture. Nodding onion is commonly found in prairies, open woods, and rocky slopes, preferring well-drained soils and areas with full sun to partial shade, and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.

Nodding onion grows from a bulb and forms clumps over time. It blooms in mid to late summer and can be propagated either by seed or by dividing bulbs and offsets in spring or fall. Seeds require cold stratification to germinate successfully. Maintenance is minimal, though removing spent flower heads can help control self-seeding if desired. The bulbs, leaves, and flower stalks are edible, though they have a strong, bitter flavor. Indigenous peoples have used the plant for both food and medicinal purposes. Its name comes from the distinctive drooping habit of its flower clusters. (July)

False Indian Plantain (Hasteola suaveolens)

False Indian plantain is still listed by its former scientific name, Senecio suaveolens, on BONAP maps. It is listed as native, though rare, in Wisconsin.

Ecologically, False Indian Plantain plays an important role in wetland and riparian systems. Its late-summer blooms offer nectar to a range of pollinators, including native bees, flies, and butterflies, at a time when few other tall wetland forbs are flowering. The plant’s robust root system helps stabilize soil along floodplains and wet meadows, reducing erosion and supporting water filtration. As a member of the Asteraceae family, it contributes to the structural diversity of native plant communities, offering vertical habitat for insects and shelter for small amphibians.

False Indian Plantain can grow up to five feet tall. It produces clusters of small, creamy white to pale yellow flowers, arranged in flat top clusters. Each flower is about 1/3 inch wide. The leaves are spearhead-shaped and have serrated edges. The leaves are hairless and have a distinctive shape that makes them easy to identify. They can grow four to 10 inches long and two to six inches wide. False Indian Plantain prefers moist to wet soil conditions and is commonly found along riverbanks, floodplain forests, wet meadows and the edges of marshes. It thrives in full sun to light shade. (SF)

American Potato Bean (Apios americana)

American potato bean is a perennial wildflower that is native to Wisconsin, where it blooms from July to September. It is a vine that can grow eight to ten feet long in here in this state, even longer in warmer climates. The flowers are composed of dense racemes of pink, purple, or red brown flowers. The flowers are about an inch long, and the racemes grow three to five inches long. The leaves are pinnate with five to seven leaflets, each three to six inches long. The alternate leaves can be either smooth or hairy, lanceolate in shape, and smooth along the edges. It prefers soil that is sandy loam, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. It can be found in moist woods, along river banks, moist meadows, and wet ravines.

American potato bean, plays a valuable ecological role in native landscapes. As a legume, it enriches soil through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and supporting surrounding plant communities. Its fragrant, pea-like flowers attract native pollinators, particularly leafcutting bees, and may also draw in flies. The plant serves as a larval host for the silver-spotted skipper, contributing to butterfly life cycles. Its foliage is browsed by deer, offering forage that’s elevated above parasite-prone ground vegetation. With its perennial, rhizomatous growth, it helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially in riparian zones and disturbed habitats.

Cultivating it involves propagation by tubers, which resemble beads on a string, though diploid varieties can be grown from seed with patience. It thrives in consistently moist, slightly acidic to neutral soil and benefits from mulching to retain moisture. In cooler climates, full sun is ideal, while partial shade suits hotter zones. The long vines require trellising to prevent smothering nearby plants. Tubers are best harvested after frost, when their flavor improves, and can be stored in moist soil for spring planting. Rich in protein, iron, and calcium, the tubers are edible when cooked and can be roasted, mashed, or turned into flour. While all parts are technically edible, some individuals may experience digestive discomfort unless thoroughly cooked. The plant grows slowly, often taking two years to produce harvestable tubers, and its scattered rhizomes make digging a challenge. (July)

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepsias verticillata)

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Whorled milkweed is a perennial wildflower native to much of North America, including Wisconsin’s prairies, savannas, and open woodlands. Typically reaching heights of one to three feet, it features slender, upright stems lined with narrow, linear leaves arranged in whorls. Each leaf measures about two to three inches long and less than a quarter-inch wide, giving the plant a fine-textured, almost grassy appearance.

From June through September, whorled milkweed produces fragrant clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers—each about a quarter-inch across. These blooms are highly attractive to a wide range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. As a host plant for monarch butterfly larvae, it plays a vital role in supporting their life cycle, offering foliage for caterpillars and nectar for adults.

Adaptable and tough, whorled milkweed thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates dry to medium moisture conditions. It grows well in loam, sandy loam, silt, clay loam, and rocky soils, making it an excellent candidate for restoration projects, meadows, and naturalized plantings. Its rhizomatous roots allow it to spread modestly over time, and it readily self-seeds without becoming aggressive.

This species is both deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, and its smooth, narrow seed pods add visual interest in late summer and fall. While its foliage is toxic to livestock and pets, it poses no threat to pollinators and contributes meaningfully to biodiversity. Whorled milkweed is especially valuable in dry prairie restorations, roadside plantings, and pollinator gardens.

(SF)

Common Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)

Common agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) is a perennial, Wisconsin native wildflower that can grow between 1 to 5 feet in height. It features small, bright yellow flowers arranged in elongating spike-like racemes at the top of the stem and arising from upper leaf axils. Each flower is about ¼ to ⅓ inch across, with five oval yellow petals and five to ten yellow stamens. The flowers are accompanied by green sepals that are pointed at the tip and slightly shorter than the petals. The leaves are compound, with 3 to 9 major leaflets and 1 to 4 pairs of smaller leaflets in between. The end leaflet is the largest, ranging from 1 to 4 inches long and ½ to 2 inches wide, becoming smaller towards the base of the compound leaf. The leaflets are elliptic to somewhat diamond-shaped, coarsely toothed with blunt to pointed teeth. The upper surface of the leaflets is hairless or nearly so, while the lower surface is densely covered in short, glandular hairs with sparse, long, non-glandular hairs mostly along the veins.

It thrives in various habitats, including open woods, woodland edges, thickets, fields, and swamps. It blooms from mid to late summer, typically July through September, and its flowers are mildly fragrant, attracting a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and beetles. After flowering, the plant produces small, burr-like fruits with hooked bristles that cling to fur and clothing, aiding in seed dispersal.

(July)

Wild Germander (Teucrium canadense)

Wild Germander

Wild germander (Teucrium canadense) is a native perennial wildflower in Wisconsin that grows up to three feet tall. It features a four-sided, hairy stem that is rarely branched. It produces a terminal spike of 3/4 inch long, purplish-pink flowers. The flowers have a unique corolla configuration with no apparent upper lip. It has opposite leaves that can be up to five inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. The upper leaf surface is dark green with recessed veins and the lower leaf surface is dull green with raised veins. Wild Germander thrives in fields, prairies, low woods, stream sides, roadsides, and other disturbed sites.

This plant belongs to the mint family and is widespread across much of North America. Its square stems and opposite leaves are typical of mint relatives, and its flowers bloom from June to September. Each flower has a broad lower lip that serves as a landing pad for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and flies. The upper lip is nearly absent, but four long stamens arch outward through a slit, giving the flower a distinctive appearance that resembles an orchid when viewed head-on.

Wild germander spreads through rhizomes, forming colonies in suitable habitats. Its root system is fibrous, and the plant can tolerate a range of soil types, though it prefers moist to medium-moist conditions. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and can grow in full sun or partial shade. While the flowers are visually striking, they lack fragrance. After blooming, each flower produces four small seeds enclosed in a persistent calyx.

Historically, Native Americans used wild germander for medicinal purposes. The leaves were steeped in water to treat skin sores and ulcers, and teas were made for various ailments. However, modern herbal use has declined due to concerns about liver toxicity associated with certain compounds found in the plant. Despite this, it remains an important species for pollinators and is often included in native plant gardens and restoration projects.

(July)

Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

Rosinweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It typically grows between 3 to 6 feet tall and features bright yellow flowers that resemble sunflowers. The flower heads measure up to three inches in diameter. The leaves of rosinweed are quite distinctive. They are large, rough, and stalkless, growing in pairs along the stem. Each leaf can be up to 8 inches long and is lance-shaped to ovate. The plant is named for the sticky, resinous sap that oozes from cut or broken stems. It can be found in prairies, glades, and roadsides. Rosinweed thrives in a variety of soil conditions, from moderately dry to moist, and is well-suited to tough clay soils. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, and once established, it is drought tolerant.

In addition to its hardiness, rosinweed offers important ecological benefits: its long-blooming flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and beetles, while its seeds are a valuable food source for birds such as finches. Rosinweed also supports caterpillars of the rosinweed moth. The plant’s deep taproots help stabilize soil and improve water infiltration, making it a useful species for erosion control and prairie restoration. (July)

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Swamp milkweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It typically grows three to five feet tall. The flowers bloom in shades of pink, mauve, or occasionally white. Each individual flower is about 1/4 inch in diameter, but they are arranged in clusters that can be two to three inches in diameter. Lance shaped leaves grow in pairs along the stem. They are three to six inches long and one to two inches wide. This plant prefers moist to wet soils and is often found in wetlands, along streams, and in wet meadows. It thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade.

Ecologically, it plays a vital role as a host for monarch butterflies, providing both a nursery for caterpillars and a nectar source for adults, while also attracting bees, hummingbirds, and other butterflies. It adapts to garden soils with adequate watering and is hardy across much of the Midwest. In addition to its ornamental use, swamp milkweed resists deer browsing and tolerates heavy clay soil, making it suitable for rain gardens and naturalized borders. It spreads slowly via underground rhizomes and can be propagated by seed—though successful germination typically requires a chilling period to mimic winter dormancy. Historically, its fibers were used for twine and buoyant stuffing, and some Indigenous groups employed it medicinally for respiratory issues. While beautiful and ecologically beneficial, it contains cardiac glycosides that are toxic if ingested in quantity. (July)

Glade-mallow (Napaea dioica)

Glade Mallow

Glade mallow (Napaea dioica) is a tall, flowering plant native to Wisconsin that can grow anywhere from five to ten feet high. It grows in the moist, rich soils of floodplains, stream edges, and open woodlands, preferring full to partial sunlight. Its large, palmately lobed leaves can reach 18 inches across, giving the plant a lush, almost tropical appearance that stands out in its natural habitat.

The flowers of glade mallow are relatively small—about a third to three-quarters of an inch in diameter—but they are numerous. Each white bloom has five petals and five sepals, and they grow in branched clusters called panicles. Because the plant is dioecious, individual plants bear either male or female flowers. Male blossoms showcase a column of pink-tipped stamens, while female flowers have slender styles atop a rounded ovary. These delicate flowers open with the morning light and close by evening, attracting a variety of pollinators during the blooming season from June through August.

Additionally, glade mallow plays a role in native plant communities. It often forms colonies through its rhizomes, creating dense stands that provide shelter and habitat for wildlife. Female plants produce small, segmented seed clusters called schizocarps, which help propagate the species in favorable conditions. Though hardy in the right setting, Glade mallow is threatened in parts of its range due to habitat loss and reduced wetland areas, making it a candidate for conservation efforts. Gardeners who wish to grow it successfully should mimic its natural environment—offering moisture-retentive soil, ample sunlight, and enough space for its towering stems and generous foliage. (July)

Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)

The Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America, including Wisconsin. It can reach a height of up to 3 feet. It bears a distinctive flower characterized by a domed, reddish-brown central disk surrounded by slender, drooping petals that range in color from pale pink to purple. The leaves of this plant are lanceolate, hairy, and rough on both sides, with most of them clustering at the lower third of the stem. This resilient wildflower thrives in a variety of habitats, including dry to mesic prairies, open woodlands, hillsides, glades, and roadsides. It prefers well-drained soils, full sun, and can tolerate a pH range of 4.5 to 7.5, making it well-suited for a range of environmental conditions.

Ecologically, the Pale Purple Coneflower plays a vital role in supporting pollinators. Bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and skippers are frequent visitors to its blooms. The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly, in particular, relies on its foliage as a larval food source. As summer wanes, the plant produces tan-colored achenes that serve as a winter food source for birds, provided the seed heads are left intact.

In restoration and garden settings, Echinacea pallida is both practical and beautiful. It can be propagated from seed, though flowering may take two to three years. Seeds benefit from cold stratification or fall sowing to ensure successful germination. Once established, the plant requires minimal maintenance and will self-seed freely if allowed. Dividing clumps every few years helps manage overcrowding and encourages healthy growth. Its early bloom period, typically June through July, makes it an excellent companion to later-blooming species such as Echinacea purpurea.

Beyond its ecological value, the Pale Purple Coneflower carries a rich cultural and medicinal legacy. Indigenous peoples used its roots to treat insect bites, snake bites, and infections. Today, herbalists continue to value its immune-boosting properties, especially those derived from its roots.

(July)

Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annus)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

Annual Fleabane, scientifically known as Erigeron annuus, is a native wildflower in Wisconsin that thrives in disturbed areas such as pastures, abandoned fields, roadsides, and railways. This adaptable plant grows between one and five feet tall, producing delicate aster-like flowers in the spring. Each flower features a bright yellow center composed of tubular disk florets, surrounded by 80 to 125 narrow rays that range in color from white to pale lavender. The flowers, measuring about half an inch to one inch in diameter, create a soft, airy appearance that adds charm to natural landscapes.

The foliage of Annual Fleabane is equally distinctive. Its leaves are alternate and sessile, meaning they lack a stalk and attach directly to the stem. The lower leaves, which are broader and coarsely toothed, typically grow between two and four inches long and up to two inches wide. In contrast, the upper leaves are narrower, often without teeth, and can reach up to five inches in length. The plant’s green stems are sparsely hairy, contributing to its slightly rough texture.

In Wisconsin, Annual Fleabane plays an important role in both gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its ability to thrive in disturbed soils makes it a valuable pioneer species, helping to stabilize and enrich degraded landscapes. It is often one of the first native plants to return to areas undergoing restoration, outcompeting invasive species and supporting local biodiversity. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and small wasps, making it a beneficial addition to pollinator gardens. Additionally, its presence in naturalized areas contributes to habitat restoration efforts, providing food and shelter for insects and other wildlife. Whether growing in wild spaces or incorporated into native plant gardens, Annual Fleabane enhances the environment with its resilience and ecological benefits. (LS)

Cylindrical Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica)

Cylindrical Thimbleweed

Cylindrical thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica) is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It grows one to three feet tall. The flowers are greenish white and about 3/4 inch across. Each flower has five petal-like sepals and numerous yellow stamens surrounding a green, cone-like center. The leaves are palmately compound. Each leaflet can be up to four inches long and is deeply lobed, hairy, and wedge shaped at the base. The basal leaves are larger and have long stalks, while the stem leaves are smaller.

This wildflower prefers open habitats such as dry prairies, woodland margins, roadsides, and savannas, thriving in sandy or gritty soils where it’s unlikely to compete with taller, more aggressive species. It tolerates drought well and plays a modest but meaningful role in native ecosystems. Small bees and hoverflies are drawn to its pollen, while the unique seed heads contribute visual interest in the colder months and aid in wind dispersal.

Cylindrical thimbleweed contains protoanemonin, a compound common to the Ranunculaceae family that helps deter herbivores and inhibit the germination of surrounding plants. Though not especially competitive, this subtle chemical advantage reinforces its ability to hold space in sparse environments. For gardeners and restorationists, it’s an ideal candidate for dry native plant gardens. Its seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy, and while the plant isn’t aggressive, it does spread slowly by rhizomes. (July)

I take care of a couple of acres of remnant ecosystem in Northern Illinois that has quite a bit of this plant present. I consider the location of the thimbleweed to be a helpful indicator of what is savanna and what is mesic prairie. Both communities are present, according to the intact soil profiles. The thimbleweed says savanna.

Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a hardy perennial wildflower native to the eastern North America, and can be found naturalized throughout Wisconsin. It grows to a height of three to five feet, producing clusters of delicate white to pale pink flowers that are tubular and two-lipped, resembling foxgloves. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making the plant a valuable addition to pollinator gardens. Its deep green, lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stem, with basal leaves forming a rosette. Foxglove beardtongue thrives in a range of habitats, such as prairies, meadows, woodland edges, fields, and disturbed areas like roadsides and powerline corridors. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, making it an ideal choice for both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens.

In Wisconsin, this wildflower plays an important role in gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its adaptability and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for native plant gardens, where it provides seasonal interest and supports local biodiversity. Because it is drought-tolerant and capable of growing in a variety of soil conditions, foxglove beardtongue is often used in prairie restoration efforts to help reestablish native plant communities. Its deep root system stabilizes soil, making it useful for erosion control in areas where soil disturbance is a concern. (LS)

Rattlesnake Master ( Eryngium yuccifolium)

Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium, typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet and spreads about 1 to 2 feet wide. Its flowers are distinctive, forming tight, ball-like clusters of greenish-white blooms that resemble thistles. These flowers are small, dainty, and tightly packed, with white stamens extending into pointed bracts. The leaves of rattlesnake master are long, narrow, and sword shaped. They are blue green in color, with parallel veins and stiff spines along the margins. This plant thrives in full sun and is commonly found in prairies, rocky woods, glades, and meadow habitats, preferring dry, sandy, or well-drained soils.

Rattlesnake master offers significant ecological and horticultural value. Its dense flower clusters attract a wide array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps, making it a vital nectar source in mid to late summer. The plant’s deep taproot helps stabilize soil and makes it highly drought-tolerant, ideal for restoration projects in degraded prairies or dry, sandy sites. In horticultural settings, its architectural foliage and unique flower heads add texture and contrast to native plant gardens, while its low maintenance needs and resistance to deer browsing make it a reliable choice for sustainable landscaping.(July)

Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina, commonly known as Carolina rose or pasture rose, is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, occasionally reaching up to 6 feet, and spreads 1 to 5 feet wide. It produces fragrant pink flowers, usually borne singly—or on twos or threes—rather than in clusters, with blooms measuring 2-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. The stems are upright and armed with straight, needle-like thorns. Its smooth, dark green foliage consists of compound leaves that turn yellow to red in the fall. This hardy native thrives in a wide range of habitats—from dry prairies and open woods to moist streambanks and roadsides—and is tolerant of heat and occasional drought once established. It also spreads by suckers, forming thickets that provide excellent cover and food for wildlife.

In Wisconsin, Carolina rose is valued for its role in both gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its adaptability makes it a popular choice for native plant gardens, where it provides seasonal beauty and supports local wildlife. The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while the dense foliage offers shelter for small animals. In prairie restoration efforts, Carolina rose helps stabilize soil and reintroduce native plant diversity to degraded landscapes. (LS)

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia cespitosa)

Nestled in Wisconsin’s sunlit glades and rocky slopes, the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia cespitosa) is a native, perennial found in dry habitats. Rising just six to twelve inches tall and spreading in dense, turf-like clumps up to eighteen inches wide, this cespitose species forms mats of resilient pads that store water and perform photosynthesis—adaptations finely tuned to endure heat, drought, and cold winters down to USDA Zone 4.

Most specimens are well-armed: sharp, pale spines and reddish-brown glochids emerge from areoles like miniature warnings, though a few may appear deceptively soft. These glochids—barbed hairs so fine they evade sight—can irritate skin and linger long after contact, offering potent defense.

In June and July, O. cespitosa bursts into waxy yellow blooms with vivid red or orange centers—a molten eye glowing above sandy soils. Each flower lives just one day, yet draws a parade of pollinators: bumble bees, carpenter bees, butterflies, and skippers. It also hosts specialist moths such as the Arge Tiger and Julia’s Dicymolomia, adding motion and memory to the cactus’s brief floral display.

Thriving in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic sandy or rocky soils, this cactus is adapted to glades, barrens, and prairie edges where few others dare root. Its reddish-brown fruits—known as tunas—are club-shaped and edible, offering moisture and nutrition to wildlife. While slow to expand, O. cespitosa reproduces clonally: detached pads settle into place and root quietly, a gesture of persistence rather than conquest.

Though long considered a variant of O. humifusa, O. cespitosa stands distinct—its floral centers and growth habit marking it as a tenacious resident of the Midwest’s overlooked margins. (JULY)

Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

Clasping Milkweed

Photo by Leticia Provencio

Clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It grows one to three feet tall. The flowers have a soft pink hue, often in shades of cream or green. The flower structure is complex. The flowers form in a compact rounded cluster that is two to four inches in diameter. Each flower has five petals that reflex backward. Above the flowers are five hood-like structures. The leaves are opposite and have a waxy appearance. The base of the leaf clasps the stem. The leaves are oval, three to five inches long, and two inches wide. It grows in dry habitats in sandhills, dry open woods, pine savannahs, and fallow fields. They do best where they can receive at least six hours of full sun. Partial shade the rest of the day works well.

Ecologically, clasping milkweed plays a vital role in supporting native pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. It serves as a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, providing essential nourishment during their larval stage. In garden settings, its drought tolerance and preference for sandy soils make it an excellent choice for native plant gardens and prairie-style landscape. (July)