All the bluestems flower in late summer and fall. Their fluffy inflorescences make them easy to recognize. Before the park was established, this prairie area was used to pasture cattle. Now that the area is protected, these weedy species have declined and the native grasses have staged a comeback. In addition to grasses, a healthy prairie supports many different herbs.
Legumes are usually an important part of the flora.
False Indigo, Baptisia bracteata , is common in local prairies and pastures. It's a member of the Fabaceae or Bean Family. Another common legume is Partridge Pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata , which blooms in late summer and early fall. It's one of the few local members of the Caesalpiniaceae. The Mimosaceae is represented in the park by several species of Schrankia and Mimosa .