Category Archives: Native Plants

Native Arkansas Plant Photos and Descriptions

Know Your Natives – Hairy Blazing Star

Posted on September 15, 2018 by

Hairy blazing star (Liatris hirsuta*) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family has vibrant violet to lavender flowers, typical of many species in the genus. In the U.S., hairy blazing star is reported from Texas and northward to Nebraska and Iowa, with … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Fly poison

Posted on August 24, 2018 by

Fly poison (Amianthium muscitoxicum*) of the Bunchflower (Melanthiaceae) family, the only species in the genus, bears white flowers that change to green. The genus name originates from Greek words for “pure” and “flower”. The specific epithet is from Latin words … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Green Milkweed

Posted on August 10, 2018 by

Green milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora) of the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family, formerly of the Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) family, is one of 14 Asclepias species found in Arkansas. It occurs across the U.S. except for six western states and five northeastern states. In Arkansas, … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Clammy groundcherry

Posted on July 24, 2018 by

Clammy groundcherry (Physalis heterophylla) of the Nightshade (Solanaceae) family is one of eleven species (with one having two varieties) of the genus occurring in Arkansas, with a twelfth species currently being described new to science. It occurs naturally throughout much … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Heart-leaf Skullcap

Posted on July 11, 2018 by

Heart-leaf skullcap (Scutellaria ovata*) of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family is one of 11 skullcaps** found in Arkansas that have blue to purple, two-lipped tubular flowers. Heart-leaf skullcap occurs from Texas and Minnesota east to the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, as … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Sensitive Brier

Posted on June 27, 2018 by

Sensitive brier (or briar) (Mimosa quadrivalvis var. nuttallii*) of the Bean (Fabaceae) family is a sprawling perennial legume that is covered with prickles. The genus name is from a Greek word for “mime” or “mimic,” in reference to leaves in some … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Foxglove Beardtongue

Posted on June 12, 2018 by

Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) of the Plantain (Plantaginaceae) family, formerly of the Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family, is the largest of five white-flowered beardtongues in Arkansas. It is found throughout much of the eastern U.S. The genus name is from Greek words … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Death Camas

Posted on May 30, 2018 by

Death Camas (Toxicoscordion nuttallii) of the Bunchflower (Melanthiaceae) family* is a white-flowered, poisonous spring ephemeral. The genus name is from Greek for “poisonous garlic”. The specific epithet honors Englishman Thomas Nuttall who, beginning early in the 19th century, published books … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Wild Comfrey

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

Wild comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum) of the Borage (Boraginaceae) family is a short perennial with large leaves and pale blue flowers. In the US, it occurs from Texas to Illinois to New York to the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. In Arkansas, … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Eastern Bluestar

Posted on April 23, 2018 by

Eastern bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) of the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family is an herbaceous, long-living perennial with blue flowers. The genus name honors 18th-century Virginian physician Dr. Charles Amson. The specific epithet honors Jacob Tabernaemontanus, a 16th-century German physician and botanist and … Continue reading →

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