The Albion College Biology Department's Prairie Garden

About a block from my house, there is a wonderful example of a prairie-type community. It contains milkweed, prairie clover, many plants and grasses associated with the great prairies that used to cover the plains. It also attracts its own insects, spiders, and other organisms. Probably the best-known are the Monarch butterfly and its caterpillar. The next-best-known may be the milkweed beetle, and the large and small milkweed bugs. This is the small one. In case you are wondering why so many creatures that feed on milkweed are orange and black, here is some information.



Here are some of the flowers common in the prairie: The orange Butterfly Weed is another kind of milkweed, and quite attractive to Monarchs. Red Prairie Clover looks quite purple in fading light. Many people here raise Liatris but it is a prairie citizen.



The Great Golden Digger never comes to my yard (one block away) but it is always at the Prairie Garden in July. Its cousin, the Great Black, does (rarely) come to visit. This great robber fly stands regally in his orangish suit.



I hope you know you are welcome to walk through the Prairie Garden if you don't step off the paths.

Now back to my yard.Next