Prairie violet (Viola pedatifida) flowers fade after a hard April frost. The most
common and widespread violet in our eastern prairies, this species is vital to
the survival of the rare regal fritillary butterfly whose larvae feed exclusively on
violets.
As spring progresses, longer days and a
stronger sun bring a greater diversity of
wildflowers and revives prairie grasses turning
the land from winter brown to green.
In mid-spring, the leaf rosettes
of field pussytoes (Antennaria
neglecta) send forth a stem
crowned by the plant's
namesake, fuzzy flower heads.
This colonial plant secretes
chemicals into the soil that stunt
the growth of other wildflowers
and grasses, allowing the
ground-hugging pussytoes to
compete for sunlight.
26 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2017
