Indicator Species

Identifying Grassland Species

Whether you are interested in planting a tallgrass prairie garden, preserving a remnant savanna or just visiting a nearby tallgrass nature reserve, learning some of the key or indicator plants will make it more enjoyable and rewarding.

Ontario’s grasslands and savannas contain many plants and animals you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere. This section outlines 10 plant indicators and 4 animal species that rely to some degree on tallgrass prairie and savanna habitats.

More information about the indicator species listed below can be found on the Summer Flowers, Summer Grasses and Grassland Animals pages.

• Big Bluestem
• Little Bluestem
• Indian Grass
• Switch Grass
• Black Oak
• Showy Tick-trefoil
• Round-head Bush-clover
• Butterfly Milkweed
• New Jersey Tea
• Slender or Cylindrical Blazing-star
• American Badger
• Mottled Duskywing
• Northern Bobwhite
• Eastern Fox Snake