Shallow wet bottom spots can form in the prairie grass lands where bison have wallowed for centuries. Many of these places with indistinct banks of a few inches up to two feet in depth can still be seen in the native stands in the Kansas Flint Hills. They were very numerous at the coming of Europeans but many were filled in order to plow up the ancient plains. I found this one with a rare stand of Blazing Star also called Thick stem Gayfeather mixed in with yellow and red centered Coreopsis.

I enjoy finding these places because a surprise of flowering plants is always part of the natural balance of contrasts in microclimates. Biologists are telling us it is the diversity and cooperation of large numbers of native plants which makes a healthy and vibrant landscape. A growing prairie retains moisture,
encourages soil development and gives us nice wildflowers to enjoy.

There are several small bison wallows at Maxwell Game Preserve in McPherson County where I go to study Bison and native plants. If you have not see a bison wallow or how one does such a thing the American Prairie Foundation has a short video of a bull rubbing the remnants of his winter fur in a dusty spot on the Wyoming Prairie.

American Prairie Foundation, Bison Wallow video

Blazing Star and Coreopsis in the Bison Wallow on display at the Strecker_Nelson Gallery, Manhattan, KS