List of flora of Arkansas facts for kids

Arkansas is a state in the United States with amazing natural beauty. It's especially famous for its diverse plant life, also known as its flora. Geobotanically, which means looking at plants and geography together, Arkansas is part of the North American Atlantic Region. This means it shares many plant types with other states along the Atlantic coast.

Rare and Special Plants

Arkansas is home to many unique plants, some of which are very rare. These plants are special because they might only grow in certain parts of Arkansas, or they are becoming harder to find. Protecting these rare species helps keep Arkansas's natural environment healthy and beautiful for everyone.

Rare Plants Starting with A

• Amorpha ouachitensis - This plant is called the Ouachita leadplant.
• Amorpha paniculata - This is known as the Panicled indigobush.
• Amsonia hubrichtii - You might know this as the Ouachita blue star.
• Astragalus soxmaniorum - This plant is called Soxmans' milk-vetch.

Rare Plants Starting with C

Cunila origanoides

• Calamagrostis porteri ssp. insperata - This is Ofer hollow reed grass.
• Calamovilfa arcuata - This plant is a type of sandgrass.
• Carex decomposita - This is an epiphytic sedge, meaning it grows on other plants.
• Carex latebracteata - This sedge is sometimes called Waterfall's sedge.
• Carex shinnersii - This plant is Shinner's sedge.
• Carex timida - Another type of sedge found in Arkansas.
• Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis - This is the Ozark chinquapin, a type of tree.
• Chelone obliqua var. speciosa - This flower is called Rose turtlehead.
• Cunila origanoides - You might know this as American dittany or mountain oregano.
• Cyperus grayoides - This is a type of umbrella sedge.
• Cypripedium kentuckiense - This beautiful flower is the Southern lady's-slipper.

Rare Plants Starting with D

• Delphinium newtonianum - This is Moore's larkspur.
• Delphinium treleasei - This plant is Trelease's larkspur.
• Dodecatheon frenchii - This flower is French's shootingstar.
• Draba aprica - This small plant is Open-ground whitlow-grass.
• Datura - A group of plants with trumpet-shaped flowers.

Rare Plants Starting with E

• Echinacea paradoxa - This is Bush's yellow coneflower.
• Echinacea sanguinea - Another type of coneflower.
• Eriocaulon koernickianum - This tiny plant is Dwarf pipewort.

Rare Plants Starting with F

• Fothergilla major - This shrub is known as Witch-alder.

Rare Plants Starting with G

• Galium arkansanum - This plant is a type of bedstraw.

Rare Plants Starting with H

Hamamelis vernalis

• Hamamelis vernalis - This shrub is the Ozark Witch Hazel.
• Harperella nodosa (syn. Ptilimnium nodosum) - This rare plant is called Harperella.
• Helianthus occidentalis ssp. plantagineus - This is Shinner's sunflower.
• Heuchera villosa var. arkansana - This plant is Arkansas alumroot.
• Houstonia ouachitana - This small flower is the Ouachita bluet.
• Hydrophyllum brownei - This plant is Browne's waterleaf.

Rare Plants Starting with L

Lobelia siphilitica

• Leitneria floridana - This tree is called Corkwood.
• Liatris squarrosa var. compacta - This is a type of blazing star.
• Lobelia siphilitica - This striking flower is the Great Blue Lobelia.
• Lysimachia quadriflora - A type of loosestrife.

Rare Plants Starting with M

• Mespilus canescens - This small tree is Stern's medlar.
• Minuartia godfreyi - This tiny plant is Godfrey's sandwort.

Rare Plants Starting with N

• Neviusia alabamensis - This shrub is the Alabama snow-wreath.

Rare Plants Starting with O

• Oenothera heterophylla ssp. orientalis - This is a type of evening primrose.
• Oenothera pilosella ssp. sessilis - This is the Prairie evening primrose.

Rare Plants Starting with P

• Polymnia cossatotensis - This plant is the Cossatot leafcup.

Rare Plants Starting with Q

• Quercus acerifolia - This is the Maple-leaved oak.
• Quercus arkansana - This tree is the Arkansas oak.

Rare Plants Starting with S

• Schisandra glabra - This is a Climbing magnolia.
• Schoenolirion wrightii - This flower is the Texas sunnybell.
• Scutellaria bushii - This plant is Bush's skullcap.
• Silene ovata - This flower is the Ovate-leaf catchfly.
• Silene regia - This bright flower is the Royal catchfly.
• Solidago ouachitensis - This plant is the Ouachita goldenrod.
• Streptanthus maculatus ssp. obtusifolius - This is a type of twistflower.
• Streptanthus squamiformis - Another type of twistflower.

Rare Plants Starting with T

• Thalictrum arkansanum - This plant is Arkansas meadow-rue.
• Tradescantia longipes - This is Dwarf spiderwort.
• Tradescantia ozarkana - This flower is Ozark spiderwort.
• Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum - This is the Ozark least trillium.
• Trillium viridescens - This flower is the Ozark trillium.

Rare Plants Starting with V

Vernonia arkansana

• Valerianella nuttallii - This plant is Nuttall corn-salad.
• Valerianella palmeri - This is Palmer's corn-salad.
• Valerianella ozarkana - This plant is Ozark corn-salad.
• Vernonia arkansana - This tall plant is Arkansas ironweed.
• Vernonia lettermannii - This is Narrowleaf ironweed.

Common Trees in Arkansas

Arkansas has many different types of trees that you can see almost everywhere. These trees form the forests and woodlands that are a big part of the state's landscape.

• Pinus echinata - This is the Shortleaf Pine, a very common pine tree.
• Other Pinus species - Many other types of pines also grow here.
• Juglans nigra - This is the Black Walnut tree.
• Carya ovata - This tree is the Shagbark Hickory.
• Other Carya species - Other types of hickory trees are also common.
• Betula nigra - This is the River Birch, often found near water.
• Quercus alba - This is the White Oak, a very important tree.
• Other Quercus species - Many other kinds of oak trees grow in Arkansas.
• Sassafras albidum - This tree is Sassafras, known for its unique leaves.
• Liquidambar styraciflua - This is the Sweetgum tree.
• Platanus occidentalis - This large tree is the American Sycamore.
• Malus sylvestris - This is the Common Apple tree. The Apple Blossom is Arkansas's State Flower!
• Acer negundo - This tree is the Box Elder.
• Acer species - Many different types of Maples are found here.
• Cornus florida - This is the Flowering Dogwood, famous for its beautiful blooms.
• Juniperus virginiana - This evergreen tree is the Eastern Redcedar.
• Rhus glabra - This shrub or small tree is the Smooth Sumac.
• Other Rhus species - Other types of Sumacs are also common.
• Diospyros virginiana - This tree is the American Persimmon.
• Prunus serotina - This is the Black Cherry tree.
• Prunus virginiana - This tree is the Chokecherry.
• Prunus americana - This is the Wild Plum.
• Other Prunus species - Many other types of plum and cherry trees grow here.
• Ulmus alata - This tree is the Winged Elm.
• Ulmus americana - This is the American Elm.
• Other Ulmus species - Other types of elm trees are also common.
• Salix nigra - This tree is the Black Willow.

Common Shrubs in Arkansas

Shrubs are smaller than trees but bigger than herbs. They add to the beauty and variety of Arkansas's plant life.

• Euonymus - This group includes plants like Euonymus and Marble Queen.
• Rubus species - These are Brambles, which include Blackberries and Dewberries.
• Rhus species - These are different types of Sumacs.
• Rosa species - These are the Wild roses.
• Sambucus species - These are different types of Elderberries.