Located in Moultrie County
Coneflower Hill Prairie gets its name from the spectacular display of pale purple and purple coneflowers which occurs in July. The presence of both species of this coneflower on the same prairie is unusual. Fifty-nine species of plants have been recorded from this 4 acre prairie. In addition to the coneflowers, other species present which are indicative of good quality prairie include false dragonhead, purple priarie clover, and prairie dropseed. In 1990, a rare butterfly, the Ottoe skipper, was discovered at this hill prairie. This butterfly is known from less than 10 sites in the state and is listed as a Threatened Species in Illinois. The adults feed on the abundant coneflowers. The continued management of the prairie vegetation at Coneflower should insure the continued existence of this rare butterfly as well as the prairie itself. Coneflower Hill Prairie is included in the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory - a list of high quality natural areas of statewide significance. It is the only known hill prairie on the Kaskaskia river north of shelbyville and the best quality hill prairie along the entire length of this river. It is an important part of Illinois' natural heritage.
What is a Hill Prairie?
History
Some Prairie Plants of Coneflower Hill Prairie
Some Pictures From Recent Workdays Here
