MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Hillside Prairies in Ionia County
Tyler Bassett
Conservation Scientist - Botanist
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Saturday July 25, 2026, 10am
Hillside Prairie is a grassland or savanna community that occurs on moderate to steep exposed slopes and crests of hills surrounded by oak forest or oak savanna. This natural community is almost always found on south- to west-facing slopes above streams, lakes, and wetlands, where exposure to sunlight is highest. The droughty soils are typically strongly acid to neutral loamy sand or sandy loam and often mixed with gravel. Due to the steep slopes of Hillside Prairies, soil erosion and slumping are common and contribute to maintaining the open conditions.
Descriptions of this community in Michigan are based on observations from the southern lower peninsula, although recent surveys have documented a northern Michigan variant. Prior to European settlement, the canopy layer was likely absent to sparse, with scattered open-grown trees of black oak (Quercus velutina), white oak (Q. alba), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and white pine (Pinus strobus). Due to fire suppression, many remnants have locally dense canopies of mesophytic tree species that thrive in low-light conditions and extensive shrub layers.
Remnant prairie openings, often very limited in extent, are typically dominated by little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), with Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) occasionally important in more mesic microhabitats on middle and lower slopes.
Other commonly occurring ground flora include thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica), milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata), flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), round-leaved hepatica (Hepatica americana), alum root (Heuchera spp.), cylindrical blazing star (Liatris cylindracea), northern blazing star (L. scariosa), hoary puccoon (Lithospermum canescens), hairy beard-tongue (Penstemon hirsutus), prairie ragwort (Packera paupercula var. pseudotomentosa), false Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), birdfoot violet (Viola pedata), and summer grape (Vitis aestivalis).
In Michigan, several rare plant species are nearly restricted to Hillside Prairie, including kitten-tails (Besseya bullii, state endangered), side-oats grama grass (Bouteloua curtipendula, state endangered), and prairie golden alexanders (Zizia aptera, state threatened); their close affinity to hillside prairies allows them to serve as potential indicators for this community.
Despite the steep slope, the sites we will be visiting are adjacent to hike-bike trails so are very accessible. However, scrambling across the slopes themselves will be an option, in which case the level will be difficult. Mosquito repellent and/or netting, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested.
Tyler Bassett is a Botanist and Plant Ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. He has 25 years of experience studying the plants and plant communities of the Upper Midwest. His work, in part, aims to document and conserve these species, and to restore, expand, and reconnect the diminishing fragments of habitat that they require for persistence. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Plant Biology, and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior from Michigan State University.
Carpool: If you are interested in carpooling from Kalamazoo, meet at the Oakland/Vincent Ave Park’n Ride lot on Saturday 25jul2026. We will depart at 8:00 am. The coordinates: 42.239108673721454, -85.6156874853463.
Directions: We will rendezvous at the Muir trailhead for the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawasee Trail (Railroad Street Park in Muir MI). The approximate address is 230 Superior St, Muir MI 48860. The coordinates are 42.99635084988905, -84.9429443455398. Directions from Kalamazoo, take I-94 east and then I-69 north to the Lansing area, then take I-96 west. Just west of Portland MI, take exit 73 and turn right (east) on to Portland Rd (E Grand River Ave). In 0.2 miles turn left (north) on to S Keefer Hwy. In 7.2 miles, in Lyons MI, Keefer Hwy becomes Libhart St and then bends to the east and becomes Bridge St. In 0.7 miles, turn left (north) on to Tabor St which becomes Prarie St in Muir MI. In Muir MI, turn left (west) on to W. Superior Street. In 300 feet, the parking lot for Railroad Street Park will be on your right. There is a restroom at the park.