The roots of D. illinoensis have been found to contain N,N-DMT, NMT, N-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, 2-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, and gramine.

The plant can be found in many areas of the south, central, and midwestern United States.

[4] The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas has done extensive research into the food uses of the seeds of this plant.

Studies found the dry seeds composed of 38% protein, compared to 40% for soybeans.

[5] To produce prairiehuasca, the roots are ground up with a native source of beta-Carbolines (e.g., passion flower in North America) to produce a hallucinogenic plant concoction analogous to the shamanic South American brew ayahuasca.