Iliamna remota, commonly known as Kankakee Mallow, is a rare and beautiful native perennial wildflower found only in Illinois, specifically on Langham Island in the Kankakee River. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and prefers full sun to light shade, making it suitable for prairie restorations, native plant gardens, and conservation plantings in appropriate habitats.
This tall, upright plant typically grows 2.5 to 6 feet tall and features large, soft, maple-like leaves with shallow lobes and a velvety texture. In mid to late summer, it produces showy clusters of pale pink to lavender, hollyhock-like flowers that bloom along the upper stems. The blooms are attractive to a variety of pollinators, especially native bees.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Iliamna remota is a highly significant and state-endemic species, meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world. It adds ornamental and conservation value to native landscapes and is often used in efforts to preserve and restore Illinois’s unique botanical heritage. It pairs well with other tall prairie forbs such as Compass Plant, Blazingstar, and Prairie Dock, offering both height and soft floral color in sunny, well-drained settings.
Iliamna remota, commonly known as Kankakee Mallow, is a rare and beautiful native perennial wildflower found only in Illinois, specifically on Langham Island in the Kankakee River. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and prefers full sun to light shade, making it suitable for prairie restorations, native plant gardens, and conservation plantings in appropriate habitats.
This tall, upright plant typically grows 2.5 to 6 feet tall and features large, soft, maple-like leaves with shallow lobes and a velvety texture. In mid to late summer, it produces showy clusters of pale pink to lavender, hollyhock-like flowers that bloom along the upper stems. The blooms are attractive to a variety of pollinators, especially native bees.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Iliamna remota is a highly significant and state-endemic species, meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world. It adds ornamental and conservation value to native landscapes and is often used in efforts to preserve and restore Illinois’s unique botanical heritage. It pairs well with other tall prairie forbs such as Compass Plant, Blazingstar, and Prairie Dock, offering both height and soft floral color in sunny, well-drained settings.
Bloom: summer
Habitats: abandoned fields; open rocky woodlands; rocky riverbanks; woodland edges
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to mesic
Plant type (height): forb (2.5 to 6 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: some loam or rocky material
