Category Archives: Native Plants
Know Your Natives – Spring Spider-Lily
Spring Spider-lily One of the most spectacular sights along the roads of central and southern Arkansas is the Spring Spider-lily (Hymenocallis liriosme). Hymenocallis is a member of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), and ranges from southern North America through the Caribbean … Continue reading
Native Plant Report – Warren Prairie
These photos were taken last week at Warren Prairie Natural Area. Of special interest is the tiny Geocarpon minimum, one of the world’s rarest plants, and the slightly larger carnivorous sundew plant (watch your toes!). This area will be featured … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Bloodroot
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) of the Papaveraceae (Poppy) Family occurs in eastern Canada and, in the U.S., from eastern Texas to North Dakota and eastward. In Arkansas, the species occurs primarily in the highlands in the northwestern half of the state, with … Continue reading
Know Your Natives: Coralberry
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) of the Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) Family occurs in the U.S. from Texas to South Dakota and Minnesota, eastward to central New England and southward, though it is infrequent to absent throughout much of the East Gulf Coastal and Southern Atlantic Coastal … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – American Bluehearts
American Bluehearts Buchnera americana, commonly known as American Bluehearts, is a species in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) family. It is found in prairies, glades, moist areas, wet depressions, and open woods. It favors high quality habitats. It is found in widely … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Mistletoe
As many as twenty-three species of mistletoe in the genus Phoradendron, of the Santalaceae (Sandalwood) Family, have been identified in the U.S. (though some authorities lump them together into fewer species). Only one mistletoe of the genus is known to occur in Arkansas: Phoradendron leucarpum (in … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Crane-Fly Orchid
Crane-fly orchid (Tipularia discolor) of the Orchidaceae (Orchid) Family is the only species of the genus found in North America. This perennial plant is found in the eastern US (except New England), west to Illinois and south to Texas. In … Continue reading
Trees of Arkansas Is Now User-Friendly with Full Color Pictures
The tried and true handbook of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Dwight Moore’s Trees of Arkansas, has been reissued (2014) in a smart, new, user-friendly, and full-color edition. Moore’s book dates back to 1950, when the author revised Lewis M. Turner’s … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Blanketflower
Gaillardia aestivalis is a lovely Arkansas native. It shares the common name of blanketflower with several different Gaillardia species. There are at least two forms of Gaillardia aestivalis in Arkansas. One has red ray flowers (“petals”) and one has yellow … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Missouri Gooseberry
Missouri Gooseberry Missouri Gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) is one of four species of gooseberries in Arkansas. Sometimes called currants, the genus is found across most of the northern hemisphere, extending down into South America via the Andes. It is the only … Continue reading
