Category Archives: Native Plants
Know Your Natives – White-Nymph
White-nymph (Trepocarpus aethusae) of the Carrot (Apiaceae) family is the only species worldwide of the genus Trepocarpus––the genus is “monotypic.” Etymology of the generic name is uncertain. The specific epithet is a reference to Arethusa, a water nymph of Greek … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Snoutbean
Snoutbean (Rhynchosia latifolia) of the bean or legume (Fabaceae) family is a perennial herbaceous plant with large trifoliate leaves. The genus name is from the Greek for “beak,” referring to the shape of the keel petals. The specific epithet is … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Sundrops
Sundrops* (Oenothera fruticosa) of the Evening Primrose (Onagraceae) family has bright yellow flowers open during the day. The genus name may be from Latin (oenothera) for a sleep inducing plant or from Greek (onothera) a hypnotic plant added to wine. … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Forest Pea
Forest pea or bushy vetch (Lathyrus venosus) of the Bean or Legume (Fabaceae) family is a perennial deciduous vine with pea-like flowers. The genus name is based on the Greek Lathyros, the ancient name for a leguminous plant. The specific … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Yellow Pimpernel
Yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima) of the Parsley or Carrot (Apiaceae) family is an elegant and attractive herbaceous perennial with twice-compound leaves and compound umbels of tiny yellow flowers. The genus name comes from the Greek taenidion, “a small band,” referring … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Wild Quinine
Wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium) of the Aster, Sunflower or Composite (Asteraceae) family is an herbaceous perennial with frosty composite flowerheads. The genus name is from the Greek word parthenos, for virgin––only the pistillate ray florets are fertile. The specific epithet, … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Round-leaf Ragwort
Round-leaf ragwort (Packera obovata, formerly Senecio obovata), of the Aster, Sunflower, or Composite (Asteraceae) family, is an herbaceous clonal species that bears bright yellow daisy-type flowerheads in early spring. The genus name honors John G. Packer, author of Flora of … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Crow Poison
Crow poison (Nothoscordum bivalve) of the Onion (Alliaceae) family (formerly of the Lily (Liliaceae) family) resembles a wild onion and is often called “false garlic,” but the species has neither garlic nor onion scent or taste. The genus name is … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Deerberry
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) of the Heath (Ericaceae) family is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that has small bell-shaped flowers with flared corolla lobes. The species occurs from east Texas and Oklahoma, northeast to the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. In Arkansas, it … Continue reading
