This native perennial has a range that spans throughout the central and eastern United States, where it can be found growing in a variety of habitats with acidic to neutral soils. Its nodding flowers resemble a shooting star and are usually white or lilac in color.
This particular plant was growing in a dolomite glade, but I've also found this species growing in moist, open forests over sandstone before.
Queer Takeover: Garden of the Gods is THIS SUNDAY on May 7th! QT is a quarterly event where a bunch of local gays just hang out and wherever in Southern Illinois and enjoy queerness in numbers. Swing by with your chosen family and enjoy the outdoors (hiking not required if you just want to sit and chat ;) )
Rainbow Cafe will be at Garden of the Gods from 2 to 5 PM, and like all QT events, it's ALL AGES and open to EVERYONE! Plus, this one in particular is also FREE! The weather for Garden of the Gods/Pope County is currently a high of 81° and low of 62°, mostly cloudy with a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the morning and overnight - ~43% chance of rain as of right now. The rain date is still May 21st BUT we are still planning on the 7th right now!