Places › States › Illinois › Plants

Plants of Illinois

The plants most often spotted in Illinois, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

289,738
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 289,738 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the Common Milkweed, with 13,412 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Illinois

Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
13,412 observations
Prairie Trillium
Trillium recurvatum
11,012 observations
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
11,000 observations
Virginia Springbeauty
Claytonia virginica
10,356 observations
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
9,079 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
8,702 observations
White Snakeroot
Ageratina altissima
8,193 observations
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
8,077 observations
Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
7,665 observations
Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
7,496 observations
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
7,453 observations
Ground-ivy
Glechoma hederacea
7,019 observations · iNaturalist
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
6,742 observations
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
6,660 observations
Tall Bellflower
Campanulastrum americanum
6,521 observations · iNaturalist
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
6,200 observations
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Cardamine concatenata
5,973 observations
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
5,778 observations
Grey-headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
5,450 observations
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
5,366 observations
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
5,144 observations
Dutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
5,137 observations
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
4,951 observations
Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium
4,932 observations
Box Elder
Acer negundo
4,846 observations
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
4,793 observations
Butterweed
Packera glabella
4,752 observations · iNaturalist
White Clover
Trifolium repens
4,745 observations
White Fawnlily
Erythronium albidum
4,713 observations
Common Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
4,678 observations
American Black Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
4,645 observations
Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum
4,618 observations
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
4,558 observations
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
4,532 observations
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
4,518 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
4,352 observations
Eastern Shooting Star
Primula meadia
4,296 observations
Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
4,180 observations
Common Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
4,168 observations
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
4,163 observations
American Jumpseed
Persicaria virginiana
4,052 observations · iNaturalist
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
4,042 observations
Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
3,921 observations
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
3,910 observations
Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
3,903 observations
Prairie Dock
Silphium terebinthinaceum
3,844 observations
Purple Crownvetch
Securigera varia
3,816 observations · iNaturalist
Mock Strawberry
Potentilla indica
3,804 observations · iNaturalist
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
3,802 observations
Common Ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
3,769 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Plants in nearby places

Out spotting plants in Illinois?

Take Huck with you. Identify any plant you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.