Prairie dock is a classic and easily recognizable prairie plant. Its giant, oversized leaves stand out on the early summer landscape like exclamation points on the prairie.

Like other members of the Silphium genus, it grows extemely tall, putting up a sturdy flower stalk at maturity where small, sunflower-like blooms reside.

Look for prairie dock in a variety of places at Anderson Prairie Park, especially near the beginning of the wildflower trail.

Prairie dock can also be see in the prairie bordering the Lincoln Prairie Bike Trail which parallels Illinois Route 29 between Taylorville and Pana. Due to the large size of the leaves, this plant can even be identified from the car.