Xeric and Mesic
Sandhills Prairie
Along the larger rivers of western and central Kansas large areas with sandy soils exist. An anomaly in the dry west, they produce tallgrass communities and are rich in prairie wildflowers. Sand bluestem, sand lovegrass, and little bluestern dominate the well-attended pastures of the Mesic Sandhills Prairie. Sand sagebrush dominates much of the Xeric Sandhills Prairie due to fire suppression and nocontrol efforts. Sandy areas are excellent for prairie wildflowers in the late spring and summer.
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