Minnesota Scientific & Natural Areas

It’s !

Meet Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), one of Minnesota’s weirdest woodland wildflowers. Named for its resemblance to a preacher (Jack) in his pulpit. This native wildflower can actually switch from a jack to a jill throughout its lifetime, depending on how much energy it has stored (shock emoji)
To make this plant even weirder…male plants have a tiny escape hole at the bottom of their spathe, the leaf-like structure over Jack, that lets pollinators crawl out easily. But the female plants? Nope. The pollinators are trapped longer to make sure pollination gets done.

Later in the season, bright red berries appear where the flower once stood. They’re toxic to humans but loved by birds.

You’ll find Jack-in-the-pulpit hiding in shady forests across Minnesota from spring to early summer.

Have you ever spotted one on a hike? We’d love to see your photos in the comments!



mndnr.gov/snas/sna01034

Photo: Jack in the Pulpit at Chamberlain Woods SNA in LeSueur County, Minnesota.

Happy birthday to the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area! (party emoji) This site became an SNA on June 1, 1995.

Today, the Lost 40 stands as a reminder of the importance of protecting wild places for future generations.

Want to learn more about the story behind this special place and Minnesota’s SNAs? Check out this new documentary from Lakeland PBS:

lptv.org/local-show/the-lost-40-a-story-of-minnesotas-scientific-and-natural-areas/

Have you visited the Lost 40? If so, we’d love to hear your stories and pictures in the comments!

The Lost Forty: A Story of Minnesota’s Scientific and Natural Areas About The Documentary: Hidden in northern Minnesota, the Lost Forty is a rare old-growth pine forest that survived the logging era by accident more than a century ago. Today, it offers a window into the state’s Scientific and Natural Areas program and the effort to protect Minnesota’s most remar...

Blink, and you might miss it! 🌸

Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) is one of Minnesota’s shortest-blooming spring wildflowers, lasting only 1-3 weeks.

These delicate flowers are part of a group called “spring ephemerals,” plants that rush to bloom before the forest canopy fills in overhead. Once the trees leaf out and the forest becomes shaded, rue anemone quickly disappears back underground until next spring.

Have you seen any spring ephemerals yet this year?



Photo: Rue anemone at Chimney Rock SNA in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Did you know parts of the Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA are slowly disappearing? 🏖️

A couple of weeks ago, SNA staff helped teach more than 500 sixth graders from the Duluth/ Superior area about the issue during the St. Louis River Quest.

Students learned how shoreline erosion is caused by waves, storms, and changing water levels that continue to shape Minnesota Point’s beaches along Lake Superior.

Learn more about the “Disappearing Beach” learning station here: https://stlouisriverquest.org/learning-station/the-disappearing-beach/



Photo: SNA staff leading demonstrations of a shoreline erosion model.

A parasitic prairie flower?! 😲

Meet wood betony (Pedicularis canadensis), one of Minnesota’s most unusual native prairie plants. It may look like a somewhat normal wildflower, but underground, it attaches to the roots of nearby plants to steal extra nutrients.

Wood betony is considered “partially parasitic,” meaning it still makes its own energy from sunlight while also tapping into neighboring plants for additional support.

Surprisingly, this relationship may actually help increase prairie diversity by keeping dominant plants from taking over.

Wood betony is blooming right now across Minnesota’s prairies.



Photo: Wood betony at Lost Valley Prairie SNA in Washington County, Minnesota.

In his quest to depict all of northeastern Minnesota’s orchids, Ken Hupila has found floral wonders from subtle to showy.

“Over the years, I just kept adding and adding, trying to find one that I didn’t have or getting some intel as to where I might find it,” he says.

One of the resources he used to learn about orchid's habitats and blooming season was the guidebook: Native Orchids of Minnesota by Welby Smith, botanist with DNR's Minnesota Biological Survey.

See a selection of these artful orchid images created by Ken in the most recent issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: www.mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine/issues/2026/mar-apr/orchid.html

Photo: Round-leaved orchid by Ken Hupila.

Did you know some SNAs are located within Minnesota State Parks and Trails?

Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA is located within Itasca State Park. This SNA protects one of Minnesota’s finest remaining old-growth pine forests. Towering red and white pines create an open canopy overhead, offering a glimpse into what much of the region once looked like.

Have you ever explored this SNA?

mndnr.gov/snas/sna00958



Photos: Hike led by SNA staff at Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA in Clearwater County, Minnesota.

It’s the International Day for Biological Diversity 🌳

Take a moment to look around… how many different plants, animals, and insects share the same space?

Every Scientific and Natural Area is home to hundreds of species, all connected and depending on each other. When we protect these habitats, we protect so much more than what we can see.

What would we lose if these spaces disappeared?

Curious what’s growing in your favorite SNA? Check out the full plant and bird lists on the website and see the diversity for yourself.

dnr.state.mn.us/snas/list.html



Photo: LeConte’s sparrow at Norris Camp Peatland SNA in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota.