Bovines, Buffalo and Botany

Old #106 has really inspired some thought on several bovine issues. Ok, I am sure you are saying, "But what do bovines have to with botany? I thought this was a botany blog?"

Plants and cows are related topics, far more than one might think. After all there is a whole grass-fed beef moo-vement out there. All cows, or bovines, are ruminants. They evolved to eat grass. But sometime after World War 1, farmers learned to fatten beef very quickly on corn. This reduced the time-to-market by several years. Unfortunately, it plays havoc on the cattle's digestive system, requiring constant doses of antibiotic. You can't fool Mother Nature. Cows weren't designed to eat corn.

...

Now we know grass-fed beef is a much healthier and more sustainable way to raise beef. There is a ton of info out there, but we can confirm it personally, it is all we eat at home. Thanks to our neighbor and his organic, grass raised cows.

American Bison, photo Wiki

But again, what does that have to do with botany? So cows should eat grass... but cows didn't even exist in America until the settlers brought them! At least cows as we think of them.

...

Another species of bovine did live in America, the American Bison. Bison bison is a bovine but not a true buffalo. But who would argue that point with the likes of Buffalo Bill? The common name stands. American Bison and American prairies were a part of the great mystic of the old West, and places like... Ohio.

The last bison recorded in Ohio was shot 1803.

...

Yesterday I traveled down to Battelle Darby Creek, a Columbus Metro Park, in hopes of seeing the bison that have taken up residence on a prairie restoration. These big beasts were laying low, probably literally, in a driving rain. I plan to make a trip back though, as I can't imagine any sight more magnificent than these creatures- designed to consume prairie grasses.

...

Their presence on the prairie also provided a benefit for the plants. These giant seed spreaders also cultivated the soil, and created disturbance required for some of the now rare botanical species like Running Buffalo Clover, Trifolium stoloniferum.

The next time you see prairie grasses in Ohio, remember - it used to be where the buffalo roamed.

Running with the Buffalo...

Running Buffalo Clover, Trifolium stoloniferum

It is always a privilege to go botanizing with Rick Gardner, Ohio's Heritage Botanist. Rick keeps the data base for all the rare and endangered plant species in Ohio, and is a most knowledgeable chap.

Wednesday he assembled a crew to seek out any new or rare finds in a newly minted Division of Natural Areas and Preserves acquisition, Boch Hollow. And we looked high (for birds and butterflies) and low for plants, lichens and mosses.

It is a thrill to report we found Running Buffalo Cover, Trifolium stoloniferum a plant that requires disturbance to propagate and thrive. Our find was along a road/trail, right in the path of traffic. It is a large and robust clover, with 1.5 inch heads and long stoloniferious rhizomes. Although believed common when there were buffalo trails throughout the Midwest, the Running Buffalo Clover has been nearly extirpated. With only a few remaining holdouts, it appears the clover is becoming as rare as the buffalos.

Martin McAllister also had a recent finding of Running Buffalo Clover along a ATV trail in southern Ohio. Perhaps they are the new buffalo, grinding up the prairie and producing corridors for the Buffalo Clover to roam.