Plants
Grasses are the most abundant vegetation. Trees and large shrubs are largely absent. Seasonal drought, occasional fires and grazing by large mammals all prevent woody shrubs and trees from growing. A few trees such as cottonwoods, oaks and willows grow in river valleys, and a few hundred species of flowers grow among the grasses. The various species of grasses include purple needlegrass, blue grama, buffalo grass, and galleta. Flowers include asters, blazing stars, coneflowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, clovers, psoraleas, and wild indigos. Because there are so many plants in the grasslands, there also has to be something to keep bringing new nutrients into the soil.
To do that job there are the decomposers like termites, beetles, and worms. There are also the consumers like deer, giraffes, and zebras, that eat plants to make room for new ones to grow. The plants they eat are known as producers because they produce the food the consumers eat. When either plants or animals die the decomposers are there to turn them back into rich soil for the grass to grow on and keep the cycle going.
To do that job there are the decomposers like termites, beetles, and worms. There are also the consumers like deer, giraffes, and zebras, that eat plants to make room for new ones to grow. The plants they eat are known as producers because they produce the food the consumers eat. When either plants or animals die the decomposers are there to turn them back into rich soil for the grass to grow on and keep the cycle going.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers have a large flowering head. The sunflower is named after its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and image look like the sun. It has a rough, hairy stem, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers. The heads consist of many individual flowers which mature into seeds, often in the hundreds. From the Americas, sunflower seeds were brought to Europe in the 16th century, where, along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. Leaves of the sunflower can be used as cattle feed, while the stems contain a fibre which may be used in paper production.
Wild Indigo
This native everlasting plants form a branched bush about 3-5' tall. The leaves can be green, bluish green, or greyish green. The flowering stalks are straight and organized. The flowers are varying shades of blue, about ¾-1" long. They bloom during the late spring for about 3 weeks. There is no scent to the flowers.The root system consists of a group of horizontal growing stems that help this plant to spread.
Iron Weed
The Ironweed can grow up to 3 metres. The leaves are alternate. It means it is a pattern going on and on. The leaves can grow up to 25cm. The flowers on it are deep purple. The individual flowers are very tiny and have 13 to 20 flowers per head.The head are about 1cm wide when fully opened. These flowers are mostly found throughout the south-east of the world. They are mostly seen in meadows and fallow fields. Some species of Ironweed can be used as medicines to treat stomach problems. Americans may have used the root to treat childbirth pain.