What Time is it in Nature?

It’s that time of year again!  Visitors to Prairie Ridge Ecostation will notice that the south-facing hillside is awash in yellow.  Spring blooming flowers called Tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata have re-emerged and are in full bloom.  This amazing field of blossoms occurs late every spring at Prairie Ridge and acts to herald in the coming summer.  This year we have been treated to additional flowers blooming on the green roof of our new garden pavilion. 

The large yellow flowers are pollinated by flying insects such as bees and butterflies.  The resulting black seeds are relatively tiny and give the flower its common name.  In fact, the word coreopsis means “looks like a bug” referring to the small seeds and is derived from the Greek word koris, meaning bedbug.  Be sure not to miss this beautiful sight by planning a visit to Prairie Ridge soon.

The bright yellow compound flowers of the Tickseed plant

Prairie Ridge June, 2006

Prairie Ridge June, 2007

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