Prairie Flower

Heliopsis helianthoides is a perennial flowering plant native to the central and eastern regions of the present-day United States. It grows in open habitats such as prairies, grasslands, woodland margins, and areas of disturbed soil. The plant tolerates high temperatures and periods of low moisture, and establishes stable populations in exposed environments. Ethnobotanical records document its use by Indigenous North American communities in traditional medicine. The roots were harvested and prepared as decoctions or infusions. These preparations were used in the treatment of pain, respiratory discomfort, and inflammatory conditions. Collection was carried out from wild-growing plants rather than from cultivated stands. Early settler herbals also record heliopsis among plants gathered locally for household remedies. Harvesting of the roots typically took place in late summer or early autumn, after the above-ground parts had fully developed.

Watercolor on paper, 2025
15x16 cm