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Central Corn Belt Plains

Ecoregion in IL, IN, WI

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Extensive prairie communities intermixed with oak-hickory forests were native to the glaciated plains of the Central Corn Belt Plains; they were a stark contrast to the hardwood forests that grew on the drift plains of Ecoregions 55 and 56 to the east. Ecoregions 40 and 47 to the west were mostly treeless except along larger streams. Beginning in the nineteenth century, the natural vegetation was gradually replaced by agriculture. Farms are now extensive on the dark, fertile soils of the Central Corn Belt Plains and mainly produce corn and soybeans; cattle, sheep, poultry, and, especially hogs, are also raised, but they are not as dominant as in the drier Western Corn Belt Plains (47) to the west. Agriculture has affected stream chemistry, turbidity, and habitat.

— EPA

Plants

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana (species), “Virginian Pokeweed”, “Pokeweed”, “Inkberry”, “American Nightshade”, “Cancer Jalap”, “Coakum”, “Garget”, “Pigeon Berry”, “Pocan Bush”, “Poke Root”, “Red Ink Plant”, “Redweed”, “Scoke”

Central Corn Belt Plains

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