Blanket Flower Prairie SNA 

About

Blanket Flower Prairie straddles the ecotone between the prairies to the west and the eastern deciduous forest. Hill's thistle (Minnesota special concern) and sky-blue aster are found here at the western edge of their range, while Hooker's oat-grass and blanket flower (both listed as Minnesota special concern species) are at their eastern most distribution. Dry prairie dominates the upper slopes of the rolling hills with mesic prairie in low areas interspersed with small groves of aspen.

From spring through fall, watch for horned larks as the air is filled with their high, ringing songs. Find the SNA's namesake native wildflower blooming in June and July with showy, yellow petals and deep red/purple centers. The Blanket Flower is listed as a state special concern species due in part to habitat loss related to gravel mining. As the growing season unfolds, the slopes host pasque flowers, purple prairie clover, dotted blazing star, and silky aster blooming among the native grasses with their own distinctive, delicate forms: prairie dropseed, blue grama grass, and porcupine grass.

This site has no maintained trails or other recreational facilities.