8 Native Plants in Illinois

Written by Alan Lemus
Updated: July 9, 2023
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Illinois has a diverse climate, punctuated with warm summers, cold winters, and fluctuating temperatures. Described as continental, this climate supports a wide range of flora that can be found in farmlands, forests, wetlands, parks, and yards.

If you are an Illinois resident, there is a high chance you have encountered several native plants that you might not find in other parts of the country. You may want to know about these plants for educational purposes, as a hobby, or to have a home garden featuring Illinois native vegetation.

When talking about native plants, we refer to the flora that has been around a particular area for a long time, typically a thousand years. In the case of Illinois, we’re focusing here on plants that were present before European settlement. They differ from invasive or exotic plants, which came later.

Plants native to Illinois are well-adapted to its extreme climate. You may also find these plants in various midwestern states with environments similar to Illinois.

Infographic of 8 Native Plants in Illinois
The Indian paintbrush, purple prairie clover, and cup plant are native to Illinois.

Illinois’ plants are still flourishing, even in the face of increased urbanization that encroaches into their habitats and competition from exotic and invasive species. The plants are hardy and their adaptations allow them to thrive.

The state and various organizations in Illinois do their best to preserve the original flora. The Illinois Native Plant Society is one of the prominent bodies dedicated to educating people about the significance of Illinois flora.

Read on to learn more about plants native to Illinois, popularly known as the Land of Lincoln.

1. Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)

The common blue violet thrives in sunny and shaded conditions.

©Nikolay Kurzenko/Shutterstock.com

Starting our list is Illinois’ state flower, also known as the purple violet or wooly blue violet. It is a perennial plant native to the eastern regions of North America, extending from Canada, the U.S., and parts of Mexico. This flower is widespread in Illinois; hence, its adoption as the state flower. It is also the state flower of Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

The common blue violet mainly grows on forest floors and can thrive in sunny and shaded conditions. This plant is recognizable due to its broad, heart-shaped leaves.

An impressive characteristic of the common blue violet is its double flowering: it produces different flowers twice a year. In spring, the violet shows off its signature bright purple bloom with whitish throats. Later, it will develop small enclosed flowers resembling buds that produce most of its seeds.

The blue violet is edible and has been extensively used for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans. You can eat the leaves and flower buds, which are rich in vitamins A and C. Preparation methods of this flower include cooking, using it raw in salads, or processing it into tea, candy, and jelly.

This flower is an excellent pollinator. As it is deer-resistant you can include it in your home garden if you want to repel deer, which can be destructive to plants.

Despite its importance, some people consider the blue violet a weed due to its fast growth and spreading rate. It may compete with other plants in areas where it is not native.

2. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)

Indian paintbrush

As the Indian paintbrush is a hemiparasite it can convert light to food as well as rely on other plants for nutrients.

©iStock.com/leekris

A member of the broomrape family, the Indian paintbrush is another Illinois native known for its parasitism and mainly grows in the state’s sandy areas.

The Indian paintbrush is a hemiparasite, meaning it can convert light to food like other plants, but it can also rely on other plants for nutrients.

One notable characteristic of this plant is its bright red to orange flowers that resemble spikes. It blooms late spring to early summer around May to June and grows to a maximum height of two feet. Its fiery reddish-orange flowers are edible, and the Native Americans used them as a condiment. However, you should avoid other parts of this plant as it absorbs high levels of selenium, which can be toxic.

The Indian paintbrush is a worthy addition to your perennial garden and is a source of nectar for many pollinators, primarily bees. In addition, it is significant in plant dynamics, courtesy of its parasitism, where it controls aspects like competition, thus balancing the flora ecosystem.

3. Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)

Nodding onion

The nodding onion has distinct bluish-purple blooms that may at times be pink.

©Flower_Garden/Shutterstock.com

Are you looking for the ideal native herb for your Illinois kitchen garden? If so, look no further than the nodding onion. It belongs to the genus Allium, which includes onions, garlic, and chives. Like most of its allium cousins, the nodding onion has a strong scent, and you may use it to flavor and spice up your food.

It grows in open areas of North America and is widely distributed throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. It has simple leaves, capsule-like fruits, and distinct bluish-purple blooms that at times be pink. 

It is very similar to the toxic death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum). These toxic plants are also known as meadow death camas and are native to western North America, so be careful not to confuse them with the nodding onion.

4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Field of purple coneflowers

Purple coneflowers are easy to grow and attract many pollinators.

©Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock.com

Native to Illinois and several eastern and midwestern states of the U.S., the purple coneflower is known for its appearance of purple petals surrounding a yellowish-brown head.

The bright flowers of this midwestern native make it popular as a yard plant. Additionally, it is easy to grow and suitable for beginner florists.

This perennial herb grows to a height of about 47 inches and a width of 10 inches when mature. The achene fruit of the purple coneflower is highly sought-after by birds. The plant also attracts several pollinators, including monarch and swallowtail butterflies, bumblebees, and honeybees. In addition, the young foliage is a source of food for slugs and rodents. 

Generally, Native Americans considered the purple coneflower a botanical miracle that could cure many ailments. As a result, it was the most used medicinal plant in the Native American culture. Native Americans used it as a remedy for various conditions, including:

  • Colds
  • Sore throats
  • Inflammation
  • Toothaches
  • Poisonous stings and bites.

5. Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

The purple prairie clover is a food source for various herbivores, such as the pronghorn.

©Sean Xu/Shutterstock.com

It seems there is a strong relationship between Illinois and the bluish-purple color! The purple prairie clover occurs naturally in the northern and central parts of the state and is notable for its unique conical purple flowers.

It grows to heights between eight and 35 inches, with large taproots that can extend up to 6.5 feet below the surface. Its fruit is a leguminous two- to three-seeded pod. 

This summer bloomer attracts many pollinators, such as butterflies, wasps, bees, and birds. It hosts the larva of the southern dogface and other species eat the leaves and stems.

The purple prairie clover is crucial for revegetation when rejuvenating land formerly used for strip mining. It prevents soil erosion supported by its long taproot system and adds nitrogen to the soil.

It is a food source for various herbivores, such as the pronghorn, and is hay for livestock. In addition, the leaves and roots are edible: you can eat, chew or make tea out of these parts.

The purple prairie clover has therapeutic properties courtesy of its active components, such as pawhuskin A. This component binds to opioid receptors.

6. Spiderwort (Tradescantia)

wandering jew

Spiderworts may resemble long grasses or lilies, depending on their flowering season.

©iStock.com/Debu Durlav

Another plant native to the Land of Lincoln and suitable for your garden is the spiderwort. It is native to the eastern part of the U.S., extending to parts of Canada such as Ontario. This plant grows one to two feet tall and adapts well to sunny and shaded areas. 

Spiderworts may resemble long grasses or lilies, depending on their flowering season. The flowers are blue, with the middle part appearing pale.

These ornamental plants are easy to grow due to their sturdiness. Unfortunately, spiderworts are weeds in some areas due to their fast growth rate. 

The spiderwort can form hybrids with other species under the Tradescantia genus. However, you should be cautious when handling this plant, as some hybrids can be toxic, leading to allergic reactions, primarily in pets.

Native Americans have long used parts of these plants as food or medicine for stomachaches. Furthermore, the leaves are crucial for bioassay to test for radiation levels. 

7. Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)

The cup plant has adapted well to the extreme winters experienced in Illinois.

©weha/Shutterstock.com

The cup plant brightens its surroundings with its radiant flowers that resemble daisies, although with a yellowish-brown center. It has toothed leaves and grows up to three to eight feet.

This hardy plant native to eastern and central North America has adapted well to the extreme winters experienced in the midwestern region. For instance, its roots turn dormant when the temperatures dip.

The cup plant is attractive to pollinators, especially birds that feed on its seeds. It is resistant to herbivores and when harvested makes excellent animal food. It is also more favored than corn in biomass production due to lesser associated production costs.

8. Bergamot Flower (Monarda fistulosa)

closeup of lavender bee balm flowers

Wild bergamot is a good source of thyme oil, which can be used to get rid of internal parasites.

©damann/Shutterstock.com

Wild bergamot, or bee balm, grows extensively in Illinois and neighboring states. It occurs in large clumps, growing up to three feet tall, with two to three-inch-long toothed leaves. 

This perennial herb blooms in summer, showing off pink or lavender blossoms. It is a honey plant, attracting many bee and bird species that love its nectar.

It is a member of the mint family and possesses a rich fragrance. It is a good source of thyme oil, which has several uses including getting rid of internal parasites. Many Native Americans appreciate the medicinal value of this plant, which they use as a tea to treat colds. In addition, it is an antiseptic and can handle infections and simple wounds.

Summary of 8 Native Plants in Illinois

Here’s a recap of the eight plants native to Illinois that we took a look at.

NumberPlantScientific NameRangeFlowers
1Common Blue VioletViola sororiaWidespread in Illinois; native to the eastern regions of North AmericaProduces different flowers twice a year: bright purple blooms in spring and later small enclosed flowers resembling buds
2Indian PaintbrushCastilleja coccineaMainly grows in Illinois’ sandy areasFiery reddish-orange flowers that resemble spikes
3Nodding OnionAllium cernuumWidely distributed throughout the U.S., Canada, and parts of MexicoBluish-purple blooms that may at times be pink
4Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpureaNative to Illinois and several eastern and midwestern states of the U.S.Purple petals surrounding a yellowish-brown head
5Purple Prairie CloverDalea purpureaNorthern and central parts of IllinoisUnique conical purple flowers
6SpiderwortTradescantiaNative to the eastern part of the U.S., extending to parts of CanadaResemble long grasses or lilies, depending on the flowering season; flowers are blue, with the middle appearing pale
7Cup PlantSilphium perfoliatumNative to eastern and central North AmericaFlowers resemble daisies but with a yellowish-brown center
8Bergamot FlowerMonarda fistulosaGrows extensively in Illinois and neighboring statesPink or lavender blossoms

Final Thoughts

Illinois is home to several native plant species, as highlighted in this piece. The plants we listed can withstand harsh weather, with most flourishing in sunny and shaded conditions. They are also easy to grow and maintain due to their hardy nature. The flowering plants have beautiful blossoms, making them ideal additions to gardens and yards.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

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Sources
  1. Illinois Plants, Available here: https://illinoisplants.org/
  2. Pro Flowers, Available here: https://www.proflowers.com/blog/illinois-state-flower-the-violet
  3. Wildflower, Available here: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALCE2
  4. Colorado State University, Available here: https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/36