From the Field

Sara Johnson points to a federally endangered Zapata bladderpod specimen growing in the field

Searching the Texas brushland for a rare, temperamental plant

Aug 18, 2022 9:45 am

INHS plant ecologist Sara Johnson describes driving and trekking through the south Texas heat in search of the federally endangered Zapata bladderpod, Physaria thamnophila. This rare plant, a member of the mustard family, is found in only two counties in the United States.

Roundpod primrose-willow (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa). Photo by Paul Marcum

Botanists discover plant not seen in Illinois for more than 160 years

Aug 1, 2022 9:30 am

The roundpod primrose-willow had not been seen in Illinois in more than 160 years, until INHS botanists Paul Marcum, Eric Ulaszek, and David Ketzner surveyed a tract of Pope County that had been purchased by the Illinois Audubon Society in 2019 and 2020.

“It was the highlight of my career in Illinois,” said Marcum. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Building back a tiny piece of prairie

Nov 15, 2021 8:30 am

Fred Delcomyn and James Ellis are the authors of “A Backyard Prairie,” a book about a 3-acre swath of prairie that Fred and Nancy Delcomyn began installing near their home.

Exploring the remnants of an ancient forest

Sep 2, 2021 7:45 am

Get a glimpse of Trelease Woods and Brownfield Woods—two ancient 60-acre forests preserved by the University of Illinois for teaching and research purposes—in this behind the scenes feature!

Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS)

Feb 22, 2021 9:00 am

Kelly A. Estes serves as state survey coordinator of the Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) with the Illinois Natural History Survey. Kelly recently answered a few questions regarding her work on agricultural pests.

White lady’s-slipper orchid

Jul 28, 2020 8:00 am

Bloodroot

Apr 8, 2020 9:00 am

Twinleaf

Apr 7, 2020 9:00 am

Little bluestem

Oct 12, 2019 9:00 am

Lady's slipper orchids in Illinois

Apr 16, 2018 9:00 am

Trilliums in Illinois

Apr 13, 2018 9:00 am

Spring woodland wildflowers in Illinois: part 4

Spring wildflowers in Illinois: part 4

Mar 31, 2018 9:00 am

Spring woodland wildflowers in Illinois: part 3

Spring wildflowers in Illinois: part 3

Mar 24, 2018 9:00 am

Spring woodland wildflowers in Illinois: part 2

Spring wildflowers in Illinois: part 2

Mar 17, 2018 9:00 am

Spring woodland wildflowers in Illinois: part 1

Spring wildflowers in Illinois: part 1

Mar 10, 2018 9:00 am

Prairie grasses in Illinois

Oct 7, 2017 12:00 pm

A prairie is a largely treeless grassland dominated by grasses and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants). Prairies were once widespread in Illinois, but are now relegated to only a few thousand acres scattered across the state. Even though vanishingly rare, prairie is often very diverse, with upwards of 500 species of plants. Here are some of the grass species that can be found in Illinois prairies.