Wetland Names
An ephemeral pond named for a small frog whose DuPage County range at one time had shrunk to just Hidden Lake Forest Preserve.
What is Peeper Pond?
Named not for royalty, but rather for Sherman King, a veteran of the Blackhawk War, this large wooded area encompasses the Arboretum's East Woods and the woodlands of Hidden Lake forest preserve.
What is King's Grove?
After being frozen solid part of the winter, these amphibians' loud chirping calls mark the beginning of spring.
What is a Spring Peeper frog?
Brought from far east Asia, used to restore abandoned strip mines, we have this invasive red-berried plant in over-abundance, though it is considered threatened and endangered in Japan.
What is honeysuckle?
A glacier-dug pond tucked away among mature oaks and hickories that never dries up and gives the forest preserve its name.
What is the true Hidden Lake?
In settlement times, farmers had acres of fields on the prairie and if they were lucky one of these in King's Grove.
What is a woodlot.
The average percentage of Spring Peepers who actually sing.
What is 50?
This invasive shrub or small tree is named for branches that often end in clasping buds around a thorny tip, which together look something like a deer's hoof print.
What is buckthorn?
This channelized creek flowing along the southwestern edge of Hidden Lake Forest Preserve is named for one of the European settlers in this area.
What is Lacey Creek?
Arthur Cutten, grain speculator, bought 500 acres of land near Hidden Lake in 1912 as a country retreat and called it this.
What is Sunny Acres Farm?
Arachnids that come in mouse, dog, and horse varieties, and like Dracula feed on blood.
What are ticks?
An invasive spring biennial, originally a kitchen herb brought from Europe, this plant neither wards off vampires, nor would you want to spread it on a Chicago hot dog, but it makes passable pesto.
What is garlic mustard?
The name of this long marsh shows no imagination whatsoever.
What is Long Marsh?
The year of the first Star Wars movie and the first land purchase in Hidden Lake by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
What is 1977?
Our only marsupial, this animal can eat 1/4 of its body weight in ticks in a season.
What is an opossum?
Named for its jagged leaves, this native but invasive plant can reach 12 feet tall or more in one growing season and is also known as the hayfever weed.
What is Giant Ragweed?
This wetland lies just downstream from Long Marsh. It is named for the wet-legged bushes along its shore with flower heads that look like little buttons.
What is Buttonbush Marsh?
In this year, "twerk" and "selfie" were added to the dictionary, the world welcomed a new pope and a new royal baby, and the current work on restoration of Hidden lake began.
What is 2013?
This animal has been known variously as trickster, prairie wolf, ghost dog, or American jackal.
What is a coyote?
An invasive shrub with brilliant red leaves in fall, with wings on its stems and branches, its native cousin Wahoo is much preferred.
What is burning bush?