| Home - Checklist of the Plants from the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge |
Acanthaceae
Justicia americana; Water-Willow;
Native; A very common plant, intermittently lining the shores of Crab
Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, and Little Grassy Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ruellia humilis; Hairy Ruellia,
Wild Petunia; Native; Common along dry woods and in open places
throughout the Refuge. CCP lists this species as occasional. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ruellia pedunculata; Stalked
Ruellia, Wild Ruellia; Native; Although both CCP and Ulaszek (1988) list
this species as common in upland dry forests and along roadsides, I have
not yet been able to document its presence on the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ruellia strepens; Smooth Ruellia; Native; The plant
can be found just south of the gate to A 41 Pond off Grassy Road. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Aceraceae
Acer barbatum; Southern Sugar Maple; Native;
Ulaszek (1988) does not report this taxon whereas CCP says its
occurrence is occasional. Still to be documented on the
Refuge. Mohlenbrock (2014) reports the tree as rare in the
southern 1/6 of Illinois. Yatskievych (2006), following the ITIS
Standard Report, treats this taxon as a subspecies of A. saccharum.
Acer barbatum is distinguished by smaller leaves that are
pubescent on the underside. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acer negundo; Boxelder; Native; Common to abundant
along roadsides and in woods throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acer rubrum; Red Maple; Native; Common to
abundant along roadsides and in woods throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acer saccharinum; Silver Maple; Native; Common to
uncommon in lowland woods and along streams throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acer saccharum; Sugar Maple; Native; Common in dry
mesic and upland forest throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Adoxaceae
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis. Synonyms: Sambucus canadensis;
Elderberry; Native; Common in woods, thickets, and along roads.
Throughout the Refuge. The fruit is relished by birds. Sambucus
nigra ssp. nigra is European. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Viburnum lentago; Nannyberry; Native; As to frequency
of occurrence, the CCP list shows a question mark. Ulaszek (1988) does
not mention the plant at all. Mohlenbrock reports this shrub as
occasional in the northern Ό of Illinois, although apparently the plant
has been found in Jackson County. I suspect a CCP misidentification. I
recommend that, pending further research, this taxon be deleted from the
flora listings of the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Viburnum nudum; Southern Wild-Raisin; Native; Again,
as to frequency of occurrence, CCP posits a question mark. Neither
Ulaszek (1988) nor Mohlenbrock mention this plant. Jones (2005) lists it
as endangered in Kentucky. I suspect another CCP misidentification. I
recommend that, pending further research, this taxon, too, be deleted
from the flora listings of the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Viburnum prunifolium; Black Haw,
Nannyberry; Native; Uncommon to rare in upland forests and thickets. The
shrub can be found at the edges of the woods along Tacoma Lake Road. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Viburnum recognitum; Smooth
Arrowwood; Native; Ulaszek (1988) does not report this shrub. There
appears to be considerable confusion about this taxon. CCP lists both Viburnum
dentatum (V. recognitum), reporting it as common, and V.
recognitum (the latter followed by a question mark). Which is
which? Jones (2005) thinks V. recognitum is but a synonym of V.
dentatum. Both Yatskievych (2006) and Mohlenbrock (2014)
recognize them as closely related but distinct species. Mohlenbrock
(2014) describes three varieties of V. dentatum, all of them
rare, however, he reports V. recognitum as occasional in the
southern half of Illinois. I found a plant of this genus along the trail
behind the Visitors Center. The absence of pubescence between the veins
on the underside of the leaves suggests V. recognitum. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Viburnum rufidulum; Rusty
Nannyberry; Native; Uncommon to rare in upland rocky woods and thickets.
It occurs along Rocky Bluff Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Altingiaceae
Liquidambar styraciflua; Sweet
Gum;
Native; A common tree in woodlands. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amaranthaceae
Achyranthes japonica; Japanese Chaff
Flower; Introduced
(Asia);
Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amaranthus hybridus; Green Pigweed;
Introduced
(tropical
America); Ulaszek (1988) mentions Amaranthus sp only once, reporting
that it was not present in the recently abandoned cornfields in his
study area. CCP lists Amaranthus sp with no reference to species or
frequency of occurrence. This and the following three species are
present in varying abundance in abandoned or fallow fields on the
Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amaranthus palmeri; Palmers
Amaranth; Introduced
(W
US); Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amaranthus retroflexus; Rough
Pigweed;
Introduced
(tropical America); Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amaranthus tuberculatus; Water
Hemp;
Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Froelichia gracilis; Cottonweed;
Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Anacardiaceae
Rhus aromatica; Fragrant Sumac; Native; ]: Both
Ulaszek (1988) and CCP list this shrub as occasional. It occurs in dry
and xeric upland forests and sandstone glades. I have not yet observed
it in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Rhus copallinum; Winged Sumac; Native;
Common in woods and fields throughout. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Rhus glabra; Smooth Sumac; Native; Common to
abundant in woods, fields, road edges throughout. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Toxicodendron radicans; Synonyms: Rhus radicans; Poison Ivy;
Native; Abundant in most habitats of the Refuge. Commonly occurs as a
thick ground cover. A plant that every outdoors person should be able to
identify (and for most, avoid). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Annonaceae
Asimina triloba; Pawpaw; Native; This large-leaved
small tree or shrub is locally common in low woods throughout the
Refuge. It tends to form conspicuous patches in the woods because
it is clonal (sprouts from the roots). It is the only Illinois
representative of a large tropical family. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Apiaceae
Angelica venenosa; Wood Angelica; Native; Not yet
confirmed. Both Ulaszek (1988) and CCP consider it rare. Ulaszek reports
it from dry, upland forests. Mohlenbrock (2002, 2014) includes prairies
and rich, rocky woods as potential stations. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Chaerophyllum procumbens; Wild (Spreading) Chervil; Native;
Locally common along roadsides. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Chaerophyllum tainturieri; Southern Chervil; Native; Locally
common along roadsides. This species is pubescent whereas T.
procumbens is glabrous (or nearly so). Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Cicuta maculata; Water Hemlock; Native; Locally
common in wet or moist areas. A poisonous plant. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Conium maculatum; Poison Hemlock; Introduced (Europe);
Uncommon. Patches can be found along Broken Handle Road towards Grassy
Bay, off Spillway Road. An extremely poisonous plant! Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Cryptotaenia canadensis; Honewort; Native; Common in both
upland woods and lowland areas. Not yet observed, but doubtlessly
overlooked. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Daucus carota; Queen Annes Lace; Introduced
(Europe); Common to abundant in roadsides, prairies and fields, and
disturbed areas throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Erigenia bulbosa; Harbinger-of-Spring]; Native; A
welcome sight in early spring, displaying its pretty flowers amid the
leaf litter. Common in mesic forests. Easily found along the short Rocky
Bluff Trail. Photos
Phytoimages;
USDA
Plants
Eryngium prostratum; Creeping
(Spreading) Eryngo; Native; Uncommon to rare. Presumed to be locally
common in wet fields. It occurs in grassy wetland area between Hwy 148
and Observation Pond. Native. Listed as endangered in Illinois. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Eryngium yuccifolium; Rattlesnake
Master; Native; Uncommon. In prairies along Pigeon Creek Road. Native. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides; Water
Pennywort;
Introduced (S US); Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Osmorhiza claytonii; Sweet Cicely;
Native; Uncommon. Not mentioned by Ulaszek (1988). Can be found along
Rocky Bluff Trail. This plant is very similar to O. longistylis.
Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Osmorhiza longistylis; Anise-root,
Sweet Cicely; Native; Locally common in upland forests and thickets. Can
be distinguished from the previous taxon by its distinctly longer styles
and stronger anise fragrance. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Pastinaca sativa; Wild Parsnip;
Introduced (Europe); Uncommon. Locally common in area near Observation
Pond at Heron Flats, off Hwy 148. Touching this plant may cause
blisters (chemical from plant becomes reactive in sunlight, symptoms
called photodermatitis). Introduced from Europe. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Sanicula canadensis; Canada Black
Snakeroot; Native; A common plant in wooded areas throughout the
Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Sanicula odorata; Synonym:
Sanicula gregaria; Cluster Sanicle / Snakeroot; Native; In wilderness
area along trail from the bridge across Grassy Creek along Tacoma Lake
Road. Neither Ulaszek (1988) nor CCP list this plant. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Thaspium trifoliatum; Meadow Parsnip;
Native; Occasional to rare, according to CCP and Ulaszek (1988). The
plant is fairly common in surrounding wooded areas and should be readily
found at CONWR. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Torilis arvensis; Hedge Parsley;
Introduced and naturalized (Europe); Most likely misidentified as T.
japonica. Yatskievych (2006) explains that Steyermark and many
earlier authors mistakenly treated this species under the name of T.
japonica. Neither CCP nor Ulaszek mention this taxon. The plant
is abundant in roadsides and disturbed areas in most of the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Torilis japonica; Japanese Hedge
Parsley; Introduced (Eurasia); Listed by Ulaszek (1988) and CCP as
locally common, however, I have not yet found it. Mohlenbrock (2014)
lists it as occasional throughout the state. The two Torilis
species are very similar; T. japonica differs from T.
arvensis by having umbels subtended by 4 to 12 bracts where as T.
arvensis has no bracts, or, at most, one or two. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Apocynaceae (including
Asclepiadaceae)
Ampelamus albidus; Synonyms: Cynanchum laeve; Bluevine;
Native; Common to uncommon on shrubbery along roadsides and disturbed
areas throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Amsonia tabernaemontana; Blue Star; Native; A colony of these
pretty flowers occurs near the observation deck at the west end of
Harmony Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Apocynum cannabinum; Indian Hemp; Native; Locally common
to abundant in roadsides, fields, woods and disturbed soil. Its flowers
attract numerous insects. Native (Native Americans used the stems to
make nets and baskets). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias hirtella; Tall Green Milkweed; Native;
Uncommon in fields and prairies. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias incarnata; Swamp Milkweed; Native; Locally
common in margins of ponds and lakes, ditches, and moist areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias purpurascens; Purple Milkweed; Native; Occasional
in upland forests, thickets, and fields. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias syriaca; Common Milkweed; Native; Common
along roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias tuberosa; Butterflyweed;
Native; A familiar, unmistakable plant, common along edges of woods,
prairies, and disturbed areas throughout the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias variegata; Variegated,
White Milkweed; Native; Occasional to rare in dry upland forests. Most
easily found along south and west side of Devils Kitchen Lake. A very
striking plant! Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asclepias verticillata; Whorled
Milkweed;
Native; Occasional in dry woods and fields. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Matelea decipiens; Synonyms:
Gonolobus decipiens; Climbing Milkweed; Native; Very rare. Reported by
John White (2013) and Eric Ulaszek (1990-91) at the south end of Devil's
Kitchen Lake. On the Illinois Endangered Species List. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Aquifoliaceae
Ilex decidua; Possum Haw;
Native; Rare in dry upland forests. It can be found along Rocky Bluff
Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ilex opaca; American Holly;
Native; Rare. Mohlenbrock (2014) reports it only from Union County. At
least one plant occurs in the woods off Harmony Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Araliaceae
Aralia racemosa; American
Spikenard; Native; Ulaszek (1988) found this rare plant on a sandstone
cliff. Not yet confirmed. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Aralia spinosa; Devils Walking
Stick; Native; A distinctive but uncommon plant. Occurs in dry woods
around Devils Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hedera helix; English Ivy;
Introduced (Europe); ]: Rare. Climbs on trees near the Spillway boat
landing off Spillway Road. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Panax quinquefolius; Ginseng;
Native; Uncommon to rare in rich, rocky woods. Continued harvesting of
this plant for medicinal purposes has caused this species to decline
sharply. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Aristolochiaceae
Aristolochia serpentaria; Synonyms:
Endodeca
serpentaria; Virginia Snakeroot, Birthwort; Native; Occasional in both
dry upland forests and rich woods. Not yet confirmed. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Asarum canadense; Wild Ginger;
Native; Common to locally abundant in rich woods. An interesting, shy,
low-growing plant that hides its flowers under its leaves. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants