Native Plant Triptych

A faux stained glass triptych depicting three plants native to Missouri. From left to right, they are common milkweed plant, Ozark Chinquapin tree, and narrow-leaved purple coneflower. The triptych is made of several different colors and opacities of cast acrylic plastic that were laser cut and then assembled and adhered together with solvent cement. Each plant was chosen based on ecological importance and Indigenous usage. Common milkweed is an essential plant in the life cycle of monarch butterflies and can be eaten in various stages of growth. The Ozark Chinquapin tree used to be the dominant tree in southern Missouri's forests before being decimated by chestnut blight. Its hardwood is useful in building projects, and its nuts are nutritious and can be used to dye fabrics. Narrow-leaved purple coneflower is an important pollinator plant, and can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments. The triptych was selected as a winner of the Society of Illustrators Student Competition in 2024.