Plants

Short grasses predominantly grow in the western, unglaciated regions of North Dakota, often on rolling plains with buttes or badlands, such as those in the Little Missouri National Grasslands. The shortgrass prairie features a semi-arid climate, short- to mid-height grasses, and forbs (flowering plants) adapted to limited moisture.

Dominant grasses include blue grama (Figure 1), buffalo grass, and threadleaf sedge. These species also grow in the mixed prairies of the National Grasslands along the Grand River, Cedar River, and Little Missouri.

Shortgrass prairie is an essential habitat for many animals. Prairie dogs and pronghorn depend on short grasses for food, directly linking plant abundance to herbivore survival. Birds such as the Western meadowlark and burrowing owl use shortgrass areas to nest and search for insects, demonstrating their reliance on the structure and resources of the grassland. Predators in the prairie, including raptors and mammals, benefit by hunting the herbivores that depend on these grasses, further connecting native plants to the entire ecosystem.

Tallgrass prairie contains a diverse ecosystem dominated by tall native grasses and abundant forbs. This grassland has flat or gently rolling terrain, fertile soils, and moderate precipitation. Tallgrass prairie soils are deep, dark, and contain thick layers of organic matter from the decay of deep-rooted grasses.

Dominant grasses include Big Bluestem (Figure 2), Little Bluestem, Indiangrass, Switchgrass, Prairie Cordgrass, and Side-oats grama. Large grazers such as deer feed on these grasses. Insects and grassland birds, like the greater prairie chicken, rely on native forbs and grasses for food, cover, and nesting sites among dense tallgrasses.

Sheyenne National Grassland is the only National Grassland in the United States within the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Due to fertile soil, most of the tallgrass prairies were converted to agriculture; today, less than 4% of the original tallgrass prairies remain.

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Mixed-grass prairie consists of a blend of tall, mid, and short grasses along with a wide range of forbs. Healthy mixed-grass prairie soil is both fertile and resistant to erosion due to the robust roots of prairie grasses.

Prevalent grasses include Western Wheatgrass, Needle-and-thread, Blue grama, Little Bluestem, and Needleleaf sedge (Figure 3). Mixed-grass prairies support diverse wildlife: mule deer feed on grasses and forbs, coyotes hunt small mammals, and sharp-tailed grouse use the grass structure for cover, displays, and nesting.

Mixed-grass prairie is found in central and western North Dakota and South Dakota. It forms a boundary where species shift between tall- and short-grass prairies. The National Grasslands, including the Grand River, Cedar River, Sheyenne, and Little Missouri, all contain mixed-grass prairie.

Warm-season grasses are essential to prairie ecosystems. These grasses thrive in the heat of early to late summer and are highly adapted to the hot, dry climate of the Great Plains. Many grow in clumps, providing open spaces for wildlife movement and ample overhead cover.

Examples of common warm-season grasses on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands include switchgrass (Figure 4), Indiangrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, and blue grama.

Cool-season grasses flourish during spring and fall, when temperatures are lower and moisture is higher. They adjust well to regional temperature swings and become dormant in summer’s heat and drought, resuming growth in fall. These grasses grow in soils ranging from shallow to deep and from coarse to fine textures, as long as drainage is moderate to good.

Examples of cool-season grasses include western wheatgrass (the state grass of both Dakotas), green needlegrass, and needle-and-thread grass (Figure 5).

The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara) (Figure 6) stands out with large, creamy white blossoms forming an open, spike-like cluster on a single, smooth stem with alternate leaves. Its lower petals are distinctly fringed. The plant grows 15 to 33 inches tall from a tuberous root and can produce more than two dozen flowers. Appearing in May and blooming in July, it needs direct sunlight and grows in moist tallgrass prairies and sedge meadows. 

At night, large sphinx moths pollinate their fragrant flowers. A video of the sphinx moth pollinating the orchid is available here.

The western prairie fringed orchid is federally protected as a threatened species. Please do not pick these flowers. One of the largest populations is in the Sheyenne National Grassland, visible along ND Highway 27 in early July.