This puff of flowering purple is Mistflower (Conoclinium coelstinum), a native to southern Illinois but an “introduced” perennial here in Chicago. I am uncertain if that makes it a native here in Chicago at this time or if it’s still considered a transplant. I am a similar true native of St. Louis, yet after residing 46 years in Chicago I do consider myself a native Chicagoan now. Such is the language I’d rather let alone in these days of explicit labeling and too often resulting mistreatments. Mistflower blooms late in the summer into autumn keeping some color among the fading summer natives. Copyright 2020 Pamela BreitbergSoft purple Mistflower adds a quiet pop of color to the prairelands in Lincoln Park. As the blooms begin to fade they get fuzzier and fuzzier in appearance. Copyright 2020 Pamela Breitberg
