By Katie Markheim, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Let’s take a moment to call out some prairie plants we love, not only for their rich history here on the Great Plains and their beauty but for their resourcefulness too. A common one is the purple coneflower or Echinacea angustifolia. Echinacea is widely used today but had once been widely used as a medicinal plant by the Plains Indians. Its root system was used as a painkiller and helpful for coughs, colds, bites, and burns. As seed heads dried, natives used them as combs. Another great native is the elderberry. While a beautiful shrub-like plant in the landscape, it too has medicinal properties making it great for use in teas as the blossoms dry. For a listing of prairie plant uses, check out online resources provided by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.