Content by Lora Perkins
Native Plants to Know: Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica)
Anemone cylindrica (Ranunculaceae), also known as thimbleweed or candle anemone, is a perennial, herbaceous plant native to prairies and woodlands of central and northern North America.
Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Fireweed and Purple Loosestrife?
Fireweed and purple loosestrife are often confused with one another due to their similar appearances, but the two plants have dramatically different impacts on the environment. Learn some key characteristics to help tell them apart.
Native Plants to Know: Small-Flowered Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla)
Aquilegia brevistyla, or small-flowered columbine, is a native, perennial, herbaceous plant in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family) that grows in cool, shaded, canyons in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
A Quick Start Guide to Selling Native Seeds
Guide that details what you need to know to sell seeds of native flowering plants (forbs) in South Dakota.
Planting for Specialist Butterflies
Monarchs are not the only specialist pollinators in South Dakota. Many other butterflies also require a specific plant or family of plants to lay eggs on. Learn about some important host plants to help specialist butterflies in your yard!
Generalist Host Plants in South Dakota
Many butterflies and moths are generalists, meaning that their larva can use a variety of host plants as food. Learn about some of the best host plants you can grow in your yard to support butterflies, moths, and everything that relies on them!
How do we describe biodiversity? It's multidimensional!
Fact sheet on the importance of biodiversity
Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Phlox and Dame’s Rocket?
Distinguishing between native phlox flowers and the invasive dame's rocket can be challenging due to their similar appearances. Learn some key characteristics that can help you tell dame's rocket apart before it invades your property.
Common Flowering Plants (Forbs) of South Dakota
This guide focuses on forbs, or flowering “broad-leaved” herbaceous plants, but forbs can be narrow-leaved as well.
Five Range Management Principles: #3 Ecosystem Biodiversity
Milkweed can help make rangelands a better environment for both cattle and neighboring plants and animals by having a shielding effect on companion plants, preventing erosion and accelerating the decomposition process, whole also providing nectar, habitat and organic material for ecosystem services.