1. Swamp Milkweed Purple Coneflower

2. Big Bluestem Black eyed Susan

3. Prairie Grass

4. Pasqueflower

5. Shooting Stars

6. Rattlesnake master

7. Stiff Goldenrod

8. Prairie Coneflower

10. Filipendula rubra Venustra Queen of the Prairie

11. Prairie White-Fringed Orchid

12. Characteristics of Prairie Plants Leaves of prairie plants tend to be long and narrow to prevent overheating Many prairie plants are adapted for a dry, windy, hot climate. Prairies need fire. Plants also have buds at or below the soil surface and a lot of root mass below ground--an adaptation to the natural fires. Without it, invading trees and shrubs gradually turn grasslands into woodlands. Prairie soil is rich soil.