Temperate+Grasslands+prairie

Temperate Grasslands/Prairie

By Charlie Pettis and Clay Stewart

__Biome__
Annual Rainfall: ‍10 - 20 in. ‍

Average Temperature: 18° C

Websites: [] []

__Animals__
Common and scientific name: Prairie Dog: (//Cynomys ludovicianus //) Description: Small rabbit sized rodents that live in burrows. Adaptations: Sometimes will share burrows with Snakes, owls, and ferrets.

Bison Description: Large, buffalo-like oxen that graze large areas of grass. Adaptations: Bison have not adapted much to their environment for their time in temperate grasslands.

Websites: [] []

__Plants__


Common Name: Turkey Feet

Scientific Name: Andropogon

Description: The Turkey Feet plant seed heads look like Turkey Feet, hence the given name, Turkey Feet! They can grow anywhere from 3 to 10 feet and blossom from June to September. It is very important for bison, because it is the largest growing plant and grows best in moist areas.

Adaptations: Turkey Feet has not had many adaptations, but we did do a google search and the only thing that came up was 'Turkey Foot' which was a Indian Tribe that adapted to survive better in the wilderness.

 Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua) Blue Grama Grass is a warm season tufted perennial grass. It makes up 75% to 90% of grasses found in the prairie. They can grow up to 18 inches tall.

Buffalo Grass (Buchloe) Buffalo Grass is a very hardy grass. It grows from about 2-5 inches tall. It is one of the most important grasses on the prairie because it feeds buffalo, and is used a forage for prairie dogs, livestock, jackrabbits, and other animals.

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum) Indian Grass is a perennial bunchgrass that grows from May to July/August. In sunlight, the seed heads (small, yellow spikelets) appear silver and gold due to tiny white hairs on them. The plant also has long, flat, narrow leaves known as blades that are used for forage.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica) The Stinging Nettle is an interesting plant. When you look at it, it looks like an ordinary, hairy weed with attractive little flowers. It can actually be very dangerous, because when you touch it with bare skin, it will give you a sharp, very painful sting. You may need treatment if you are stung if it is bad enough. The stinging is caused by formic acid that covers the tiny hairs on the plant. It can grow from 2-4 feet tall.

//1st Image//-Fleabane (Erigeron) //2nd Image//-Milkweed (Asclepias) //3rd Image//-Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
 * Floral Plants**

Websites @http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie_plants_page.htm ***Charlie contributed the information and pictures on Animals, the Turkey Feet, and the basic Biome information. Clay contributed the image of the world and where the prairie was on it, and the rest of the plants and foliage.