Restoring Bottomland Prairie: April 2016, Part 1. Smoke & Buttercups!

 Almost 4 weeks after the burn--4 weeks of cold nights--and the Creek Field is just starting to green up.

Geary County has put a ban on burns this week, but smoke still hangs heavy on the hills.  

Early Wood Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus
Native biennial or short-lived perennial
Volunteer.

Meanwhile, this sweet little moisture-loving buttercup decided to bloom this week.   Ron took this photo by the gate, just outside the Stone House.    This species confused me so much at first--
Now I know there a numerous plants whose basal leaves look completely different from their stem leaves.

Note to self:  Gather seeds to scatter in wetland areas of the Creek Field!