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![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
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Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Wildflowers
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NPS Photo |
Orange milkweed, or butterfly weed, is one of the brilliant flowers of the tallgrass prairie. |
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![Yellow Cone Flower in bloom Yellow Cone Flower in bloom](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/heho/naturescience/images/epc9d2ry.jpg) |
NPS Photo | Yellow coneflowers and wild bergamot raise their seed heads high above the tall grasses. |
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Park natural resource managers sowed 17 forb (wildflower) species in the tallgrass prairie during the spring of 1982 and a mix of 26 other forb species in the spring of 1983. The result today is a colorful array of flowers mixed with the green, purple, and golden hues of native grasses from April until late October. Numerous other species have appeared by natural reintroduction from outside the park. Exotic species, some attractive wildflowers, have escaped into the park as well.
Prairie wildflowers benefit from fire management. The National Historic Site discourages the intrusion of exotics by either physically removing them or by using prescribed fire to manage the prairie. Fire returns nutrients, particularly potassium which is critical to blooming, back to the soil. It reduces competition from exotic species, and in some cases, prepares seeds for germination.
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Inventory & Monitoring Reports and Data
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Two bright yellow flowers in a green field. Two bright yellow flowers in a green field.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/HEHO_yellow_coneflowers_65x65.jpg) Tallgrass Prairie The 81-acre restored tallgrass enhances the commemorative setting of the historic site. more... | | ![Scientists monitor plants in the tallgrass prairie. Scientists monitor plants in the tallgrass prairie.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/HEHO_nf0pm8vw.jpg) Inventory & Monitoring Natural resources inventory and monitoring at Herbert Hoover NHS more... | | ![A firefighter sets a prescribed fire in the tallgrass prairie. A firefighter sets a prescribed fire in the tallgrass prairie.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/HEHO_prescribed_fire_65x65.jpg) Prescribed Fire Herbert Hoover NHS uses fire as a tool to restore the tallgrass prairie. more... | | ![A volunteer collects prairie seeds surrounded by blossoming yellow goldenrod. A volunteer collects prairie seeds surrounded by blossoming yellow goldenrod.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/HEHO_p9wccfy4_npld_65x65.jpg) Prairie Restoration Volunteer Projects Volunteer to restore native tallgrass prairie on National Public Lands Day. more... | |
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![Black and white photo of the mustached Charles Curtis. Black and white photo of the mustached Charles Curtis.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090512091353im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/HEHO_ccurtis_130x65.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
Herbert Hoover's vice president Charles Curtis was of almost half American Indian ancestry? Curtis’ mother was one quarter Kaw, one quarter Pottawatomie and one quarter Osage.
more...
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Last Updated: December 29, 2008 at 12:03 EST |