Anderson Prairie Park is home to the only known wood lily to be found in Illinois south of the Chicago area. Although it is unusual in this area, it is not listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois.

So why are individual specimens of a particular plant so important, when another can be transplanted from elsewhere?

They are important because they are genetically adapted to grow and thrive in a certain climate and soil type. Plants in northern climates may be better adapted to short growing seasons and surviving bitter cold winters.

Plants that have evolved to survive in our area are part of our unique natural heritage.

Many feel that transplanting or seeding from stock originating more than 50 miles away from a prairie site is gardening, rather than true restoration and preservation. Take the example of restoring an old home. True restorations require replacement parts made with original materials by original methods.

For this reason, specimens like this wood lily are an important link to our central Illinois prairie past.