28 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2017
To compete against the prolific grasses, wildflowers
now are taller, some reaching a foot or more in height.
These species will have their day in the sun, but in
time, they too will be supplanted by a new parade of
blooms: those with a constitution to withstand the heat
and aridity of summer.
ABOVE: The early morning dew settles on the flowers of the prairie ragwort (Packera plattensis). This plant grows statewide in
prairies and is the most common of our nine ragwort species. Their flowers can be boiled to make a yellow dye for wool.
OPPOSITE: The beautiful, sculpted flowers of the prairie larkspur (Delphinium virescens) mask a hidden danger for this late
spring-blooming perennial – toxic alkaloids to dissuade grazers. Cattle are acutely susceptible to the poisons if plants are
consumed in quantity. Several species of Delphinium were used as a folk remedy to kill lice. A tincture, made of the seeds and
flowers, was mixed with soap and used as a shampoo.
