Category: Wildflowers

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved Coneflower) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Appearance: Narrow-leaved coneflower is a herbaceous plant with a single, erect stem that can reach heights of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters). The stem is typically unbranched and rises from a basal rosette of leaves.

Leaves: The leaves of Echinacea angustifolia are narrow and lance-shaped, giving rise to the plant’s common name. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and have toothed margins.

Flowers: The plant produces striking daisy-like flowers with prominent spiky, reddish-brown central disks and ray florets that are pink to purple in color. The ray florets are drooping and have a slightly reflexed appearance.

Inflorescence: The flowers are held on top of the stem in solitary heads, each surrounded by a ring of green bracts.

Blooming Period: Narrow-leaved coneflower blooms from late spring to mid-summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to its nectar-rich flowers.

Habitat: This species is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. It prefers well-drained soils.

Distribution: Narrow-leaved coneflower is found in regions ranging from the central United States to the western parts of Canada.

Conservation: While not considered a threatened species, preserving its natural habitats is important for maintaining healthy populations of narrow-leaved coneflower.

Other Species: Echinacea angustifolia is part of the Echinacea genus, which includes other coneflower species with diverse characteristics.

Narrow-leaved coneflower is admired for its showy and distinctive flowers, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens and wildflower meadows. Its ecological importance in supporting pollinators and its ornamental value contribute to its popularity in horticulture and landscape design.

Occurrence
In both the original prairie section and the new seeded plot.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Anaphalis margaritacea is a herbaceous perennial known for its woolly stems and clusters of white, button-like flower heads.

Leaves: The leaves are linear to lance-shaped and covered in woolly hairs.

Flowers: The plant produces compact clusters of small, button-like, white or cream-colored flower heads.

Habitat: It is commonly found in meadows, open woodlands, and disturbed areas.

Distribution: Pearly everlasting is native to North America.

Occurrence
Small population found near the original prairie section.

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Epipactis helleborine is an orchid species known for its tall stem, broad leaves, and small, purple to reddish-brown flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are broad and lance-shaped, often with purple spots.

Flowers: The plant produces small, purple to reddish-brown, orchid-like flowers.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Distribution: Broad-leaved helleborine is native to Eurasia and has become naturalized in North America.

Occurrence
A few plants found naturalized in former pasture area.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Coreopsis palmata is a herbaceous perennial known for its tall, slender stems and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are deeply lobed and palmate, giving the plant its name.

Flowers: The plant produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with a darker center disk.

Habitat: It is commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open areas.

Distribution: Prairie coreopsis is native to North America.

Occurrence
Growing in the original prairie section

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Impatiens capensis is a herbaceous annual known for its succulent stems, opposite leaves, and distinctive orange, spurred flowers. Orange irregular shaped flowers give rise to elongated seed capsules which pop open when touched.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, oval, and often have toothed margins.

Flowers: The plant produces orange, spurred flowers with a distinctive shape.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, along stream banks, and in damp woods.

Distribution: Orange jewelweed is native to North America.

Note: The juice of the stems of this plant is said to alleviate the sting from nettles.

Occurrence
Found in wetter areas where there is some shade.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Circaea lutetiana is a herbaceous perennial known for its delicate, opposite leaves and small, white to pale pink flowers. Tiny white flowers give rise in the fall to sticky burrs which will attach to passers-by.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, heart-shaped, and often have serrated margins.

Flowers: The plant produces small, white to pale pink, two-petaled flowers in loose clusters.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands, shady areas, and along stream banks.

Distribution: Enchanter’s nightshade is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found throughout the wooded areas.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Smilax tamnoides is a woody vine known for its thorny, climbing stems and clusters of greenish-white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are alternate, oval to heart-shaped, and often have thorny stipules.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers in clusters.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands, thickets, and along forest edges.

Distribution: Bristly greenbrier is native to North America.

Occurrence
At least one plant in fern area, another in large brush island.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Iris versicolor is a herbaceous perennial known for its sword-shaped leaves and showy, violet-blue to purple flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are long, narrow, and sword-shaped, emerging from the base of the plant.

Flowers: The plant produces large, showy, violet-blue to purple flowers with three petal-like sepals and three smaller petals.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, along the edges of ponds and streams.

Distribution: Blue flag iris is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found in the low marshy areas sporadically.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Ratibida columnifera is a herbaceous perennial known for its tall, slender stems and distinctive, drooping, red to brown flower heads.

Leaves: The leaves are alternate and deeply divided, giving them a fern-like appearance.

Flowers: The plant produces cone-shaped flower heads with drooping, red to brown petals and a central, upright disc.

Habitat: It is commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open fields.

Distribution: Mexican hat is native to North America.

Occurrence
Seeded in the forbes bed in the south field.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Coreopsis lanceolata is a herbaceous perennial known for its upright stems and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are lance-shaped, opposite, and often have serrated margins.

Flowers: The plant produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with a darker center disk.

Habitat: It is commonly found in open areas, including roadsides and meadows.

Distribution: Lanceleaf coreopsis is native to North America.

Occurrence
Seeded and growing in the forbes bed in south field.