Don’t pick the sunflowers at Matthiessen State Park

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding residents it is illegal to remove flowers from a state park, including the sunflowers in bloom at Matthiessen State Park.

A sign posted by conservation police officers at the sunflower field says it is a $195 fine if someone is cited for removing the flowers.

Sunflower seeds first were planted at the state park more than 25 years ago in an effort to attract doves for hunting season. The flowers bloom through July, and by August they begin to seed and wilt through early September, all while attracting pollinators and providing shade for deer, opossums and raccoons.

The 60 acres of field dedicated to the flowers have been a popular draw to La Salle County.