Plants





Over 200 plant species grow in vernal pools and the surrounding prairie. Half of these are rarely found outside this unique habitat. A single pool typically supports only 15 to 20 species, in an unpredictable array of combinations. In that way, vernal pools are a lot like snowflakes – botanically speaking, no two are alike.

Field Owl’s-Clover

Field Owl’s-Clover is a member of the figwort family.  The flowers are long tubes with three inflated (balloon-like) lobes near the top. 
Start Learning

Frying Pan Poppy

The Frying Pan Poppy is a member of the poppy family.  All members of this family have four petals.  The flowers are yellow.  The
Start Learning

Hawkbit

Hawkbit is a member of the sunflower family.  Each flowerhead is actually made up of 5-50 individual yellow flowers.  In Hawkbit, all of
Start Learning

Yellow Star-thistle

Yellow Star-thistle is a member of the sunflower family.  Each flowerhead is actually made up of 20-40 individual yellow flowers.  The
Start Learning

Vernal Pool Dodder

Vernal Pool Dodder is a member of the dodder family.  The plant consists of a mass of orange stems which resemble string.  If you look...
Start Learning

Checkerbloom

Checkerbloom is a member of the mallow family.  The flowers are made up of five petals and many stamens.  The petals are pale pink to...
Start Learning