Category Archives: Know Your Natives

A series of articles profiling the many native plants found in Arkansas

Know Your Natives – Lady Fern

Posted on February 22, 2021 by ANPS Webmaster

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina*) of the Woodsiaceae (Lady Fern) family is a medium size fern of North America, Europe and Asia. The genus name originates from a Greek word referring to “door” in reference to the hinged indusia (protective spore … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Canada Rockcress

Posted on February 8, 2021 by ANPS Webmaster

Canada rockcress (Borodinia canadensis*) of the Mustard (Brassicaceae/Cruciferae) family has small white flowers and long pendent bean-like fruits. The genus name most likely commemorates the Russian botanist Ivan Parfenievich Borodin (1847-1930) who founded the Russian Botanical Society. The specific epithet … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Spring-Beauty

Posted on January 24, 2021 by ANPS Webmaster

Spring-beauty (Claytonia virginica), traditionally treated as a member of the Purslane (Portulacaceae) family but more recently as a member of the Miner’s-lettuce (Montiaceae) family, is a widespread, common, native wildflower, a perennial herb with lovely white, pink-veined flowers. The genus … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Yellow Meadow-Parsnip

Posted on January 11, 2021 by ANPS Webmaster

Yellow meadow-parsnip or smooth meadow-parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum var. aureum) of the Carrot (Apiaceae) family has small yellow flowers with in-turned petals, much like those of the golden-Alexanders (Zizia aptera and Zizia aurea) (see last paragraph). The genus name, coined by … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Bird’s-Foot Violet

Posted on December 25, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Bird’s-foot violet (Viola pedata) of the Violet (Violaceae) family, the paragon of the violets, has distinctive leaves and large, exquisite flowers in several colors. The genus name is the classical Latin name for violets. The specific epithet, the Latin for … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Two-Wing Silverbell

Posted on December 8, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Two-wing silverbell (Halesia diptera) of the Storax (Styracaceae) family is one of several understory trees in the family with pendant showy white flowers. The genus name recognizes English botanist Stephen Hales who authored Vegetable Staticks* in 1727. The specific epithet … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Ditch Stonecrop

Posted on November 26, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Ditch stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides) of the ditch stonecrop (Penthoraceae) family is a short-lived, herbaceous perennial of wetlands. The genus name originates from the Greek words for “five” and “marker” in reference to the pentamerous (five-part) floral structure. The specific epithet … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Southern Prairie Aster

Posted on November 13, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Southern prairie aster (Eurybia hemispherica) of the Aster or Sunflower (Asteraceae) family is a slender stemmed plant with spectacular, inch-wide, lavender composite flowerheads. The genus name is based on Greek words for “wide” and “few,” a reference to big-leaf aster … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Tall Thistle

Posted on October 26, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum) of the Aster, Sunflower or Composite (Asteraceae) family is a tall biennial thistle with weak spines and pink to lavender flower heads. The genus name derives from a Greek root for “swollen vein” in reference to … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Toothed Spurge

Posted on October 8, 2020 by ANPS Webmaster

Toothed spurge (Euphorbia dentata) of the Spurge (Euphorbiaceae) family is a drought-tolerant summer annual with milky sap and a complex, bizarre inflorescence called a cyathium. The genus name recognizes Euphorbus, a Greek physician.* The specific epithet is from the Latin … Continue reading →

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