Iron Horse Prairie SNA

35 Acres Located from Hayfield 2 miles S on MN Hwy 56, then 0.5 miles E on Co Rd M to the old railroad grade. Dodge County Twp 105N Rng 17W Sec 27 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Oak Savannah

Description:

Iron Horse Prairie is a triangular shaped site between two diverging railroad spurs. The "iron horses" of the railroad protected this 35-acre site, now the largest contiguous example of mesic tallgrass prairie remaining in southeastern Minnesota. Species diversity is very high on this site and includes the rare plant species Sullivant's milkweed, Indian plantain, wild quinine, and valerian. This is the finest mesic prairie known in this area of Minnesota. Visit in late spring to view blooming swamp saxifrage, valerian, and prairie smoke. Summer is a great time to see the milkweed, rattlesnake master, and other prairie flowers, while late summer offers wild quinine, blazing stars, and sunflowers, among others.

Plant List