Know Your Natives – Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) of the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family has clear sap (not milky) and showy orange (reddish orange to uncommonly yellow) flowers. The genus name honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. The specific epithet is Latin for “swollen,” a reference to the roots. The species is widespread and…
Know Your Natives – Trumpet Vine
Trumpet Vine or Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) of the Trumpet Creeper (Bignoniaceae) family is a non-twining, tendril-free, woody vine with spectacular, large, orange to red, trumpet-shaped flowers. The genus name is Greek for “curved,” a reference to the curved stamens. The specific epithet is from Latin for “taking root” in…
Know Your Natives – Trumpet Honeysuckle
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) of the Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family is a twining vine with spectacular, red and orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. The genus name honors Adam Lonicer,* a German botanist and herbalist. The specific epithet from the Latin for “always” and “green,” denotes the plant’s evergreen foliage in warmer climates. Occurrence…
Know Your Natives – Eastern Prickly Pear
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, the cactus family (with the exception of a single species)…
Know Your Natives – Spotted Jewelweed
Spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) of the Touch-Me-Not or Balsam (Balsaminaceae) Family is a tall annual found in wet soils. In the US, it occurs throughout the eastern half of the country and also in the Pacific Northwest. The species occurs throughout Arkansas, in areas of partial shade with consistently wet…
Know Your Natives – Ozark Witch Hazel
Ozark (or vernal) witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) of the Hamamelidaceae (Witch Hazel) Family is a suckering, multi-stemmed, medium-size shrub. This winter-blooming deciduous shrub favors riparian habitats of mountainous areas of Arkansas, southern Missouri and limited sections of Oklahoma and Texas. Plants grow 10-12 feet tall. Leaves are alternate, simple, three…
