NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1540878
48 Nebraskaland • October 2025 in to grow. Then there's wild bergamot and other plants that are a little more patient. Instead of sending their seeds out to sprout right away, they go into dormancy. These smart plants know that Nebraska winters can be harsh, so they make sure their seeds don't germinate too early and risk freezing. The seeds tuck away underneath the soil or in leaf litter and wait for the perfect combination of warmth and moisture the following spring to wake them up. Some plants even have seeds that require a little extra help from fi re, frost or digestion to kickstart their growth. For example, certain prairie plants need their seeds to pass through the digestive system of an animal, such as a turtle or a squirrel, before they can germinate, a process that breaks down the tough seed coat and gives them a head start when they land in, well, fertilizer. It's like a two-for-one deal — dispersal and a nutrient boost. Leaf Drop and Dormancy Dropping leaves is another component of prairie plants' strategy to survive the colder, darker months. By shedding their leaves, they stop wasting precious energy and water on parts of the plant they don't need during winter. Also, with fewer leaves, there's less surface area for water to evaporate from, so they can hold onto as much moisture as possible when the dry, cold air hits. Flexible and Frost Ready Prairie plants are truly Nebraska tough — they've got what it takes to handle whatever wild weather comes their way. As winter rolls in, these plants don't just stand there helpless in the face of snowstorms and freezing winds. Grasses like little bluestem and switchgrass are the prairie's fl exible, wind-proof warriors. Their stems aren't stiff and brittle like you might expect. Instead, they can bend and sway with ease, no matter how hard the wind blows or how heavily the snow piles on. But that's not all — some prairie plants are equipped with antifreeze. Plants like blue grama produce special chemicals in their cells that act like a natural antifreeze, protecting them from temperatures that would normally turn most plants to ice. These chemicals help keep the water inside the plant cells from freezing solid, which is crucial because when water freezes, it expands and can cause cells to burst. Plants Helping Wildlife Prairie plants aren't just focused on their own survival during the fall — they're also providing crucial support to local wildlife. As the days grow shorter and colder, birds and small mammals rely on the seeds from plants like milkweed and asters to stock up for winter. These seeds are a vital food In October, these red current leaves have started their dormancy along a Pine Ridge stream. BOB GRIER, NEBRASKALAND