Runge Nature Center
The Runge Nature Center is located on 112 Acres in the heart of central Missouri. It consists of 5 nature trails, an interpretive center, gift shop, live critters and Naturalist led programs. The Center is open year round. Contact them at 573-526-5544 for hours or current programs or visit them on line at mdc.mo.gov/runge.
Whenever I walk this area I can get a 3 mile workout in. I double back on one section to accomplish this. While visiting this area you might run into the resident flock of Wild- Turkeys, lots of birds, squirrels, and even a Black Snake. There are numerous trees some really large and old, and even a fire tower which you can climb.
Read MoreWhenever I walk this area I can get a 3 mile workout in. I double back on one section to accomplish this. While visiting this area you might run into the resident flock of Wild- Turkeys, lots of birds, squirrels, and even a Black Snake. There are numerous trees some really large and old, and even a fire tower which you can climb.
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea, commonly called purple coneflower, is a coarse, rough-hairy, herbaceous perennial that is native to moist prairies, meadows and open woods of the central to southeastern United States (Ohio to Michigan to Iowa south to Louisiana and Georgia). It typically grows to 2-4' tall. Showy daisy-like purple coneflowers (to 5" diameter) bloom throughout summer atop stiff stems clad with coarse, ovate to broad-lanceolate, dark green leaves. Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds.
