Graduate Program

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2013

Thesis Director

Gordon C. Tucker

Thesis Committee Member

Andrew S. Methven

Thesis Committee Member

Diane M. Burns

Abstract

Illinois has been named the "Prairie State" for good reason. When the pioneers discovered a vast sea of grasses and forbs, they thought the prairie infertile. However, they soon found out that the blacksoil prairie was composed of a rich diversity of plant species that could provide much of the medical and nutritional needs of everyday life. The medicinal uses of many prairie species have not only been tested throughout history, but today modern science has also discovered their therapeutic importance.

The purpose of this study was to survey prairie species growing in the central Illinois counties of Coles and Clark, and compare flowering or fruiting species collected with those of James Hefley's 6-county study (Hefley, 1987). The collected species were stored in the Stover-Ebinger Herbarium on the Eastern Illinois University campus. An analysis was performed of the medicinal properties of these herbs, by researching their functional uses based on the presence of chemical constituents within the tissues of the species in this study. In addition, the species collected were analyzed for their Coefficient of Conservatism and Floristic Quality as an indication of the resulting Natural Quality of the areas in all three studies.

It was determined that species found in the 7 counties researched revealed a Mean Conservatism of native species collected in the C to D grade range. The highest value of 4.393 was from Hefley's study. Woodyard and Coleman Farms coefficient of conservatism was 3.423 and 3.226 respectively. Floristic Quality for the natives in both Woodyard Conservation Area and Coleman Farm was ranked as degraded with restoration potential. Of all species researched in this study, 70% showed medicinal properties.

This study presents the richness of resources within the central Illinois prairie and the importance of preserving tall-grass prairie remnants. With a very small part of the tall-grass prairie remaining in Illinois, it is crucial that conservation efforts be utilized in an effort to save the last remaining ecosystem: the "Grand Prairie of Illinois."

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