Category: Wildflowers

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Helianthus giganteus (Giant Sunflower):

Appearance: Giant sunflower is a tall and robust herbaceous perennial plant with a commanding presence. It can reach heights of 5 to 12 feet (1.5 to 3.6 meters) or even more.

Leaves: The leaves of Helianthus giganteus are large, broad, and heart-shaped, with serrated margins. They are arranged alternately along the stem.

Flowers: The plant produces large, bright yellow flowers with a characteristic brown central disk and yellow ray florets. The flowers are borne at the top of the tall stems and can be several inches in diameter.

Blooming Period: Giant sunflower typically blooms in late summer to fall, from August to October, depending on the region and climate.

Habitat: This species is native to various regions of North America and can be found in wetlands, marshes, meadows, and along the edges of streams and ponds. It prefers moist and well-drained soils.

Distribution: Giant sunflower is found in regions ranging from central Canada to the central and eastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Helianthus giganteus is not considered a threatened species, and its towering presence adds to the ecological diversity of wetland habitats.

Other Species: Helianthus giganteus is part of the Helianthus genus, which includes other sunflower species with diverse characteristics.

Giant sunflower is admired for its impressive height and the sunny disposition of its bright yellow flowers. Its ecological significance as a nectar source for pollinators and as a food source for birds and other wildlife contributes to its popularity in native plant gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Occurrence
Found in some of the grassy areas that were formerly field

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster):

Appearance: New England aster is a herbaceous perennial plant with multiple stems and a bushy growth habit. It can reach heights of 2 to 6 feet (60 to 180 centimeters).

Leaves: The leaves of Symphyotrichum novae-angliae are alternate, lance-shaped, and serrated along the margins. They are medium to dark green in color.

Flowers: The plant produces large, daisy-like flowers with vibrant purple, pink, or sometimes white ray florets and a yellow central disk. The flowers are borne in dense clusters at the top of the stems.

Blooming Period: New England aster typically blooms in late summer to fall, from August to October, depending on the region and climate.

Habitat: This species is native to eastern North America and can be found in meadows, prairies, open woodlands, and along roadsides.

Distribution: New England aster is found in regions ranging from eastern Canada to the central and northeastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is not considered a threatened species, and its late-season blooming provides essential nectar for pollinators during the fall.

Other Species: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is part of the Symphyotrichum genus, which includes other aster species with diverse characteristics.

New England aster is cherished for its profusion of late-season blooms, which make it a valuable addition to native plant gardens, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and wildlife habitats. Its attractiveness to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators enhances its ecological importance in supporting biodiversity.

Occurrence
Found in tall grass areas in various places.

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Solidago rigida is a herbaceous perennial plant characterized by its erect stems and dense clusters of yellow, composite flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are lance-shaped and serrated along the margins.

Flowers: Stiff goldenrod produces small, bright yellow flowers arranged in densely packed, pyramidal-shaped clusters at the tips of the stems.

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

Distribution: This species is native to various regions of North America.

Occurrence
Widespread in grassy areas, though not as common as the other golden rods

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Polygonatum biflorum is a perennial herb known for its arching stems and pairs of dangling, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are elliptical and alternate along the stem, and they have smooth margins.

Flowers: The flowers are typically borne in pairs (hence the name “biflorum”) and hang from the leaf axils.

Habitat: It is commonly found in shaded woodlands and forest understories.

Distribution: This species is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Found throughout the wooded areas

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Lycopus americanus is a herbaceous perennial with square stems and clusters of tiny white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped, and toothed.

Flowers: The flowers are small, white, and arranged in dense whorls in the leaf axils.

Habitat: It is typically found in wetland areas, along stream banks, and in moist meadows.

Distribution: This species is native to eastern and central North America.

Occurrence
Found in prairie section

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description
Crowded globe shaped clusters of white flowers on long leaning stems with 3-way compound leaves that are alternate on the stem.

Appearance: Lespedeza capitata is a perennial herb known for its erect stems and globe-like clusters of small, pink to lavender flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with three leaflets.

Flowers: The flowers are pink to lavender and arranged in dense, round clusters at the tips of the stems.

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

Distribution: This species is native to eastern and central North America.

Occurrence
Found in prairie section

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Corydalis sempervirens is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and spurred, tubular flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are finely divided and have a lacy appearance.

Flowers: The flowers are spurred and typically pink to lavender in color.

Habitat: It is commonly found in rocky or gravelly soils, often in woodland or forested areas.

Distribution: Rock harlequin is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Accidentally introduced into the fern outcropping

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Agastache foeniculum is a herbaceous perennial known for its fragrant leaves and spikes of tubular flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped, and have a strong anise or licorice scent when crushed.

Flowers: The plant produces spikes of tubular flowers that can vary in color from lavender to purple.

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

Distribution: Anise hyssop is native to central and eastern North America.

Occurrence
Widespread in the grassy areas of the property

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Sanicula marilandica is a herbaceous perennial plant known for its compound leaves and clusters of small, greenish-white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are compound with three leaflets, and they often have toothed margins.

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

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands, especially in rich, moist soils.

Distribution: Maryland black snakeroot is native to eastern and central North America

Occurrence
Found in various places in the wooded areas

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Agastache scrophulariifolia is a herbaceous perennial known for its spikes of tubular, lavender to purple flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped, and have a minty fragrance when crushed.

Flowers: The plant produces spikes of tubular flowers with a distinctive lavender to purple color.

Habitat: It is commonly found in open woodlands, meadows, and along roadsides.

Distribution: Purple giant hyssop is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Found in several places, but particularly in the prairie section