Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

The Pea Family is represented by 31 species in 18 genera at CCNHA.  Flower color covers the spectrum from white, yellow, blue, red. Floral rewards are generally both pollen and nectar.  Several species are introduced crop or weedy species.

The genus Trifolium (Clovers) contain several crop species that can persist in old fields.  These include: T. pratens (Red Clover), T. repens (White Clover), and T. hybridum (Alsike Clover).  T. campestre (FLN) and T. arvense (Rabbitfoot Clover) are common roadside weeds as are the two  species of Melilotus (White and Yellow Sweet Clover--M. alba and M. officinalis), and the two species of Medicago—M. lupulina (Hop Clover) and M. sativa (Alfalfa).  Strophostyles leiosperma (Small Wild Bean) is a trailing vine found in a few fields (CBLr, FC). Lotus corniculatus (  ) occurs along the road north of Fish Lake.

Two species of Vicia (Vetch) are found on the Area.  V. villosa (Hairy Vetch) can become abundant in many old fields given the right climatic conditions. V. angustifolia (Smooth Vetch) is considerably less common (FLN). Apios americana (Wild Bean) has been found in a couple of spots (SWFL, LBS).

Amphicarpaea bracteata (Hog Peanut) is a common understory plant in upland oak woods, especially those with a history of burns. Amorpha canescens (Leadplant) is common in the savanna region south of Fish Lake.  Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo) occurs only in MDS.  Astragalus canadensis (Canada Milk Vetch) is found in a few fields (CNW, FC, RC), but disappears once pocket gophers find it.

Three species of Lathyrus (Vetchlings) are found on the Area.  L. palustris (Marsh Vetchling) occurs in Reilings Fen and Bridge Marsh. L. ochroleucus (Pale Vetchling) occurs in savanna areas, and L. venosus (Red Vetchling) is found at woods edge and in several old fields.

Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine) occurs along East Bethel Blvd, CNW, and in open woods in the burn area south of Fish Lake.  It serves as host for the state threatened Karner Blue, Lycaena melissa samuelis, last seen at Cedar Creek ca. 1980.  Wild Lupine is one of the most prolific species found in the large Biodiversity Gardens.

Desmodium canadense (Canada Tick-trefoil) is a tall pink-flowered forb with sticky seeds found in several fields (TMG, CNW, RC…).  Its woodland relative D. glutinosum (Pointed-leaved Tick-trefoil) occurs only in mesic woods (Crone’s Knoll, And Woods).

Robinia pseudo-acacia (Black Locust) is an introduced spiny tree found at a couple of homesites (GH, NFL).  This species is rather aggressive and is spreading. R. hispida (Prickly Locust) is a pink-flowered shrub found at the Lundgren homesite, and Caragana arborescens (Siberian Pea) another ornamental occurs at Corneia’s Cabin.

Three species of Petalostemum (Prairie Clovers), often included in Dalea,  occur on the Area. P. villosum (Hairy Prairie Clover) is a pale-pink flowered species confined to extremely xeric fields and blowout areas. P. candidum (White Prairie Clover) is an uncommon species of savanna and open woods. P. purpureum (Purple Prairie Clover) is common in several old fields and savanna areas.  However, the most common legume of old fields is Lespedeza capitata (Bush Clover) a  rather weedy species found in practically every field.