The West and East Meadows are representative of the Blackland Prairie before pioneers made their way west. The limestone bedrock is close to the surface so, though the meadows were occasionally mowed during the growing season, they were never plowed. The ancient plants miraculously survived. In 2010, they were given an opportunity to grow once again.
Two of the most notable plants in the prairie are big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides). Big bluestem is a tall (up to 8 ft) grass that grows each summer/fall while lilac-colored wild hyacinth grows each spring.
