Midwest Wildflowers in Bloom: Discover Nature’s June Display

On a June walk along the Des Plaines River, Jen Berlinghof often discovers shooting stars and Ohio spiderwort in full bloom. “The vibrant, violet hues of spiderwort and pale pink shooting stars dot the rolling landscape like confetti,” says Berlinghof, an education site specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP).

Brett Peto, environmental communications specialist with LCFP, writes a nature blog with Berlinghof (LakeCountyNature.com). He describes spiderwort as “bluish purple fireworks blooming in a waist-high meadow” in June at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve (MSFP), in Lake Forest.

 Berlinghof and Peto’s meanderings show that while some wildflower blooms like trilliums and spring beauty—seen in April and May—are mostly gone by the end of spring, other ephemeral wildflowers take their place in June. Species such as shooting stars, spiderwort, three kinds of Solomon’s seal and wild hyacinth are in full bloom in June and can be found throughout the Chicago region.

Those spring ephemerals in April and May, such as trillium, caught the sun shining through the trees before the leaves had opened. “Spring ephemerals take advantage of abundant light in the woodland before leaves emerge in the canopy above,” Berlinghof says. “They complete their entire life cycle before shade covers the forest floor.”

The native wildflowers that bloom in June are typically found in more open woodlands. They are seeking sun that can reach the ground through openings between trees with shady leaves.

 Wild hyacinth is one such species, reaching its peak in early June. It emerges from an underground bulb, much like non-native varieties sold in nurseries, and features grass-like foliage and delicate sprays of white blooms.

“This plant is slow to develop during the spring but fairly long-lived,” Peto says. “It needs above-average moisture levels to grow and bloom. The flowers bloom in order from the bottom of the central stalk and only last two to three days each.”

 Wild hyacinth, which grows in clumps, thrives in moist black soil prairies, savannas and open woodlands. “It’s generally found in high-quality habitats in full sun to light shade,” Peto says.

Places to look for wild hyacinth include CaptainDaniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve, in Mettawa; Reed-Turner Woodland, in Long Grove; Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve (WRPNP), in Westchester; Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, in Beecher; and Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods, in Chicago. 

Solomon’s seal also blooms in June, and three different types can be found: true Solomon’s seal (commonly referred to simply as Solomon’s seal), false Solomon’s seal and starry false Solomon’s seal.

 Known as wild lily-of-the-valley, Solomon’s seal species are much better choices for home gardens than the non-native Eurasian species, which can be invasive.

The common name, Solomon’s seal, refers to scars on the rhizomes (underground stems of the plant) that resemble the ancient Hebrew seal of King Solomon. The starchy, edible rhizomes have been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes and even baked into bread.

True and false Solomon’s seal both grow in clumps and have similar leaves, but the species are distinguishable in bloom between late May and the end of June. True Solomon’s seal has greenish-white tubular flowers that hang like pairs of bells beneath the leaves. These blooms eventually become poisonous dark blue berries. The plant typically grows in moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands, young flatwoods and woodland edges.

The false Solomon’s seal blooms are easy to see, arising in whitish plumes atop the plant stalks, and later produce clusters of red berries. “Typical habitats for the false Solomon’s seal are mesic (somewhat wet) to dry deciduous woodlands and bluffs,” Peto says.

Starry false Solomon’s seal resembles a miniature false Solomon’s seal, with whitish star-shaped flowers blooming atop the plant. “Typical habitats for this species are sandy prairies, moist meadows in woodland areas, woodland borders and black oak savannas,” Peto notes. Places to search for this rarer Solomon’s seal include MSFP and Beaubien Woods, in Chicago.

Berlinghof and Peto also enjoy watching bees visit Solomon’s seal for nectar. “Native bumble bees will land on Solomon’s seal flowers and buzz their wings to cause the flower to release extra pollen,” Peto says. “They buzz their wings at a higher frequency than what they use for flight.”

 Shooting stars, another showy June wildflower, bloom from May through June and begin to take on a pinkish hue toward the end of their cycle. The genus name, Dodecatheon, comes from the Greek words for “12 gods.” Legend has it that 12 gods took care of these plants with bright green basal leaves and a thin, single stalk upon which white shooting stars hang.

Search for these plants in bloom at Black Partridge Woods, in Lemont; Rollins Savanna, in Grayslake; Independence Grove, in Libertyville; Greenbelt Forest Preserve, in North Chicago; and Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, in Riverwoods.

Ohio spiderwort is another commonly found native plant that blooms in June. Visit savannas and prairies at Spears Woods, in Willow Springs; MSFP; WRPNP; and Belmont Prairie, in Downers Grove, to search for these unusual blooming plants. Morning is the best time to visit, as the flowers often wilt in the afternoon heat.

“Spiderwort is an intriguing name, because there’s debate over what part of the plant it refers to,” Peto explains. “The leaves look like a squatting spider to some. There are tiny blue hairs around the stamen, or male part of the flower, that could resemble the strands of a web. Spiderwort also produces a thick sap that turns white when dry like a spider’s silk.”

Wild columbine also blooms late in the spring, and is known for its showy, drooping bell-like red and yellow flowers with spurs. “These spurs contain nectar that attracts long-tongued insects and hummingbirds especially adapted for reaching the sweet secretion,” according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s website (WildFlower.org).

Look for wild columbine in rocky open woodlands, sandy savannas and thinly wooded bluffs, as well as along old railroad tracks. Good viewing spots include the oak savannas at Glacial Park, in Ringwood, and Eggers Grove, in Chicago.

“While spring is a lovely time to see gorgeous woodland wildflowers, the petal party doesn’t stop after May,” Peto acknowledges. “Treat yourself to a walk in your local forest preserve or natural area and enjoy the beauty of early summer in the woods.”

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as nature, health and environment stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.WordPress.com.