Category Archives: Wildflowers

Wildflowers that are native to Arkansas

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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Know Your Natives – Violet Wood Sorrel

Posted on April 10, 2018 by

Violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea) of the Wood Sorrel (Oxalidaceae) family is a small bulb-plant that bears shamrock-style leaves. The genus name is based on a Greek word for “acid”, in reference to the plant’s pleasantly sour taste. The specific … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Wild Ginger

Posted on March 26, 2018 by

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense*) of the Dutchman’s-pipe (Aristolochiaceae) family is a low-growing woodland spring ephemeral. It occurs throughout the eastern U.S. from Louisiana and Oklahoma to North Dakota thence eastward to the Atlantic Coast, except Florida. In Arkansas, it occurs … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Green Trillium

Posted on March 7, 2018 by

Green trillium (Trillium viridescens), of the Trillium (Trilliaceae) family is a spring ephemeral. It has a limited distribution in the U.S., occurring along eastern borders of Texas and Oklahoma, in southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri, and throughout western Arkansas. In … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Rose Vervain

Posted on February 13, 2018 by

Rose vervain (Glandularia canadensis, formerly Verbena canadensis) of the Vervain (Verbenaceae) family is an herbaceous, low-growing plant with spikes of showy flowers. The genus name refers to glands found on many of the species. The specific epithet refers to the species’ … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Eastern Prickly Pear

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa, formerly Opuntia compressa)* of the Cactus (Cactaceae) family is a mostly prostrate stem-succulent with large, bright yellow, spectacular flowers. Like most members of its family, the species is adapted to thrive in arid habitats. Interestingly, … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Jerusalem Artichoke

Posted on December 29, 2017 by

Jerusalem artichoke* (Helianthus tuberosus) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is a large, tuber-producing perennial that was an important food source for Native Americans and early settlers. The genus name combines two Greek words for “sun” and “flower”. The specific epithet … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Drummond’s Aster

Posted on November 16, 2017 by

Drummond’s aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is a herbaceous perennial with disk flowers that change color with age. Preferred habitats are partially sunny upland sites in open deciduous woodlands and woodland borders along streams and roads. This … Continue reading →

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Know Your Natives – Blue Sage

Posted on November 2, 2017 by

Blue sage (Salvia azurea var. grandiflora) of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family is a long lived herbaceous perennial with sky-blue flowers. Variety grandiflora occurs throughout a large portion of the central U.S. stretching from Utah to Ohio, and from South Dakota … Continue reading →

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