Big bluestem grass is sometimes called "turkey feet" because of the way the seed heads look. The plant comes by its name honestly, growing from 3 to 10 feet in height. The seed heads are 3 inches and are either bronze, purple or green. In the summer, the slender stems take on a blue-green color. The plants grows densely, and this prevents other species from getting adequate sun. The razing of it by settlers is a big factor in what caused the dust bowl disaster in the 1930s because its roots had kept the dirt anchored.
The purple coneflower has a spiky, reddish center with purple, red or white petals that hang downward. The plant can grow to be 2 to 3 feet tall. It belongs to the same family as the dandelion and daisy. Extracts from it have antibacterial properties. It helps to activate macrophages in the body, which are tasked with destroying bacteria. It is also used to treat acne, boils, toothaches and insect stings. Native Americans used it for fighting snake bite effects.
In some ways the mascots of the prairie, these are squirrel-like animals that have a dog-like yip. They have light-brown fur, flat tails, large eyes and small ears. Adults weigh from 1 to 3 1/2 lbs. They are social, communal animals that live in a system of underground burrows, which are in turn broken up into family groups. They purposely live in areas with shorter grass so they can watch for predators. They eat the grass around them and sometimes consume insects.
A once common animal, the swift fox disappeared in Canada in the 1930s, and nearly all were gone in the United States by the 1990s. They are now considered endangered and are making a gradual comeback with the help of conservationists. It is the smallest canine in North America, standing 12 inches high and weighing about 5 lbs. They have noticeably large ears. On top they are dark gray in color and yellow-tan on the sides and legs. They are omnivorous but do most of their hunting, mainly of prairie dogs, at night. The name comes from the fox's ability to run up to 25 mph.
