| Home - Checklist of the Plants from the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge |
Cabombaceae
Brasenia schreberi; Watershield;
Native; Uncommon to rare. Neither Ulaszek (1988) nor CCP list this
plant. It occurs in quiet water along the west side of Devils Kitchen
Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cactaceae
Opuntia humifusa; Common Prickly
Pear; Native; Uncommon, on glades along east and west side of
Devils Kitchen Lake. Opuntia macrorhiza occurs at Ferne
Clyffe State Park, so it should be looked for on the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Campanulaceae
Campanula americana; Synonyms:
Campanulastrum americanum; Tall Bellflower; Native; A conspicuous, tall,
common summer and fall flowering plant in woods, woods edges, roadsides,
and thickets. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lobelia cardinalis; Cardinal Flower;
Native; This striking plant is uncommon to rare in moist or wet ground.
It can be found along the edges of Grassy Creek in the Rocky Bluff area.
Petersons Field Guide to the Wildflowers calls it Americas favorite.
Though attractive, it is a very poisonous plant. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lobelia inflata; Indian Tobacco;
Native; Locally common in thickets, along trails, woodland edges, and
disturbed areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lobelia siphilitica; Blue Cardinal
Flower, Great Blue Lobelia; Native; Uncommon to occasional in wet and
swampy areas. The odd specific scientific name reflects the mistaken
belief that the roots of this plant can cure syphilis. It can be
found in the swampy area along Old Carterville Road. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Triodanis perfoliata; Synonyms:
Specularia perfoliata; Common Venus Looking-Glass; Native; Common along
trails, woodland edges, roadsides, often disturbed soil throughout the
Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cannabaceae
Celtis laevigata; Sugarberry;
Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Celtis occidentalis; Common
Hackberry; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Celtis tenuifolia; Dwarf
Hackberry; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Caprifoliaceae
Lonicera japonica; Japanese
Honeysuckle; Introduced (Asia); Abundant in woods, roadsides, fields,
and plantations throughout the Refuge. Ulaszek (1988) rightly calls this
plant ubiquitous. One of the most destructive of the invasives in our
area. The leaves of young shoots are often lobed or pinnatifid. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lonicera maackii; Amur (Bush)
Honeysuckle; Introduced (Asia); Increasingly common in woodlands,
plantations, and woodland edges. Often abundant in the understory.
Another serious invasive. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lonicera sempervirens; Trumpet
Honeysuckle; Native; Uncommon to rare in pine plantations and on
abandoned homesites, according to Ulaszek (1988). It is native to the
southern U.S. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus; Coralberry;
Native;
Common in dry upland forests, thickets, and fields throughout the
Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Triosteum illinoense; Illinois Horse
Gentian; Native; Ulaszek (1988) rates this plant as occasional in dry
upland forest. Some authors consider this plant a subspecies of Triostemum
aurantiacum (Yellow-fruit Horse Gentian). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Triosteum perfoliatum; Late
Horse
Gentian; Native; Ulaszek (1988) rates this species, too, as occasional
in dry woods and thickets. The bases of the leaves of T. illinoense
are connate (united); the leaves of T. perfoliatum are tapered
at the base. I have not yet observed either one of these two species on
the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria serpyllifolia; Thyme-leaved
Sandwort;
Introduced (Europe); Occasional to common in disturbed soils, often
along roads and paths. Present in vicinity of Visitors Center. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cerastium brachypodum; Synonym: C.
nutans var. brachypodum; Short-stalked Mouse-ear Chickweed; Native; Both
Mohlenbrock (2014) and Yatskievych (2006) assign species status to
this plant. The short flower stalks and glandular pubescence are
distinctive. Scattered in fields and disturbed areas. It can be found in
fields west of Hwy 148. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cerastium fontanum; Synonyms:
Cerastium vulgatum; Common Mouse-ear Chickweed; Introduced (Eurasia); A
common plant in disturbed soils, including grassy areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cerastium glomeratum; Clammy
Mouse-ear Chickweed; Introduced (Eurasia); A very common weed in grassy
and disturbed places throughout the Refuge. Overlooked by CCP. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cerastium nutans; Nodding
Mouse-ear Chickweed; Native; Occasional to common in disturbed soils. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cerastium pumilum; European
(Curtis's) Mouse-ear Chickweed; Introduced (Europe); Occasional in
disturbed soils. Mohlenbrock (2014) judges it to be sparingly
adventive in grassy areas. Apparently easily overlooked due to its
outward resemblance to C. fontanum. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Dianthus armeria; Deptford Pink;
Introduced (Europe); A pretty, distinctive flower, common in fields,
roadsides and edges of woods. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Holosteum umbellatum; Jagged
Chickweed; Introduced (Europe); Uncommon. It occurs in grassy areas near
the Harmony Trail Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Paronychia fastigiata; Forked
Chickweed; Native; This plant is present in the Ulaszek (1988) list but
was not included in CCP. It is uncommon to rare. It occurs in dry wooded
slopes along the southern parts of Devils Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Saponaria officinalis; Bouncing Bet;
Introduced (Europe); Uncommon. Occurs in roadside of Ogden Road, east of
Hwy 148. The plant is not listed in Ulaszek (1988) or CCP. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Silene antirrhina; Sleepy
Catchfly; Native; Reported by Ulaszek (1988) and CCP as occasional in
roadsides and disturbed soils. Mohlenbrock (2014) rates three of its
four varieties as common to occasional. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Silene stellata; Starry Campion;
Native; Uncommon to common in dry upland forests. Common in the Rocky
Bluff area. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Stellaria media; Common
Chickweed; Introduced (Eurasia); An abundant plant in roadsides, woods,
and disturbed areas. This plant blooms virtually throughout the year. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Celastraceae
Celastrus orbiculatus; Oriental
(Round-leaved) Bittersweet; Introduced (Asia); Locally common in wooded
areas. Mohlenbrock (2014) considers this plant to be a common
escape. It is invasive and is poised to become a problem in the Refuge.
Apparently a recent introduction, as it is mentioned by neither Ulaszek
(1988) nor CCP. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Celastrus scandens; Bittersweet; Native; CCP lists this
species as common. However, the plant occurs rather infrequently in
wooded areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euonymus alatus; Burning Bush, Winged Euonymus;
Introduced (Asia); Photos PhytoImages;
USDA
Plants
Euonymus atropurpureus; Wahoo; Native; Occasional in woods
and thickets. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euonymus
fortunei; Synonyms:
Euonymus hederaceous; Wintercreeper, Climbing Euonymus; Introduced
(Asia); Uncommon to locally common in thickets and woodlands. Ulaszek
(1988) does not report it. This invasive species appears to be spreading
in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ceratophyllaceae
Ceratophyllum demersum; Hornwort,
Coontail;
Native; This aquatic plant is common to uncommon in shallow areas of all
three Refuge lakes. The plant does not root, but floats beneath the
water's surface. It can become a pest. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium album; Lambs
Quarters, Pigweed; Introduced (Eurasia); Although Ulaszek (1988)
considers this an occasional weed, it is common in fields and waste
places throughout the Refuge. Now widespread around the globe (even
cultivated in some areas). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Chenopodium berlandieri; Stinking
Lamb's
Quarters; Native; Uncommon in disturbed areas. It occurs at the
observation platform at the south end of Wolf Creek Causeway. The size
and texture of the seeds distinguish this species from C. alba.
Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Chenopodium standleyanum; Standleys
(Woodland)
Goosefoot; Native; Uncommon in woodlands. CCP lists as an alternative
name C. boscianum, however, this is one of a number of
varieties of C. berlandieri. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cistaceae
Lechea tenuifolia; Narrow-leaved
Pinweed; Native; Ulaszek (1988) reports this plant as occasional on
glades and in sandy soil. The plant is inconspicuous and easily
overlooked. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Convolvulaceae
Calystegia sepium; Hedge Bindweed;
Native; Common along roadsides in both wooded and open areas. Apparently
overlooked in CCP. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Calystegia silvatica; Trailing
Bindweed; Native; Very similar to C. sepium, this species should be
looked for on the Refuge. The peduncles of C. silvatica are
shorter than in C. sepium. In addition, the basal sinus of the
leaf is squared off, not U or V-shaped. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cuscuta campestris; Field Dodder;
Native; Occasional. Locally common along the shores of Crab Orchard
Lake, e.g., at the Spillway boat landing. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cuscuta gronovii; Common Dodder;
Native; Occasional. Locally common along the shores of Devil's Kitchen
Lake Lake, e.g., near the dam. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ipomoea hederacea; Ivy-Leaved
Morning-Glory; Introduced (tropical America); Occasional. I found a
late-blooming plant along Stringtown Road in early October. It also
occurs along Grassy Road across from the Fish Hatchery. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ipomoea lacunosa; Small White
Morning-Glory; Native; Occasional both in moist and in disturbed areas.
The leaves are either lobed or unlobed. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ipomoea pandurata; Wild Sweet
Potato Vine; Native; Uncommon in fields, woods and disturbed areas. A
striking white flower with purple center. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cornaceae
Cornus drummondii; Rough-leaved
Dogwood; Native; Uncommon to common in roadsides, edge of woods and
thickets. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cornus florida; Flowering
Dogwood; Native; Common in woods throughout the Refuge. Always a
spectacular (and photogenic) spring appearance. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cornus foemina; Stiff / Swamp
Dogwood; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cornus obliqua; Synonyms:
Cornus amomum subsp. obliqua; Pale Dogwood; Native; Locally common in
wet areas, e.g., along Wolf Creek causeway. Yatskievych (2006) and Jones
(2005) consider C. obliqua to be a subspecies of C.
amomum. Mohlenbrock (2014) lists both as distinct species. Cornus
obliqua can be recognized by the pale underside of its narrower
leaves. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cornus racemosa; Gray (Panicled)
Dogwood; Native; Ulaszek (1988) does not mention this species. CCP lists
it as occasional. There is debate about the status of this taxon. Both
Jones (2005) and Yatskievych (2006) treat it as a subspecies of C.
foemina [Stiff / Swamp Dogwood]. Mohlenbrock (2014) considers C.
foemina and C. racemosa to be distinct species, and
judges the latter to be occasional to common throughout the state. I
have not (yet) seen it in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Crassulaceae
Sedum pulchellum; Widow's Cross;
Native; Locally common in rocky woodlands and sandstone glades,
especially around Devil's Kitchen Lake. The common name apparently is
derived from the shape of the flower, a four-petaled cross. Why it
should be interpreted as a "widow's" cross is another question. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cucurbitaceae
Sicyos angulatus; Bur Cucumber;
Native; Ulaszek (1988) does not mention this plant. The CCP list leaves
its frequency blank. Rare to uncommon. A large colony can be found
around the bridge on Ogden Road, just west of Highway 148. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Dipsacaceae
Dipsacus fullonum; Synonyms:
Dipsacus sylvestris; Common Teasel; Introduced (Europe); Uncommon,
scattered here and there in disturbed areas throughout the Refuge.
According to Mohlenbrock (2014), this plant is becoming increasingly
common in Illinois. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ebenaceae
Diospyros virginiana; Persimmon;
Native; Common in thickets, fields, and dry upland forests. The CCP
lists it as abundant. Mohlenbrock (2014) recognizes four
varieties, some of which fruit in summer, and others in fall. This small
tree is easily identified by its peculiar bark. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Elaeagnaceae
Elaeagnus umbellata; Autumn Olive;
Introduced (Eurasia); Common to abundant in woods, thickets, and
roadsides. This highly aggressive shrub is one of our most invasive and
destructive plants. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Ericaceae
Vaccinium arboreum; Farkleberry;
Native; Locally common in dry forests and on sandstone cliffs. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbiaceae
Acalypha gracilens; Slender
Three-seeded Mercury; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acalypha rhomboidea; Three-seeded
Mercury; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Acalypha virginica; Three-seeded
Mercury; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Croton capitatus; Capitate (Woolly) Croton; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Croton glandulosus; Sand Croton; Native; At A-41 parking
lot off Grassy Road. Locally common in disturbed areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Croton monanthogynus; Croton, Prairie Tea; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Crotonopsis elliptica; Sand Croton, Rushfoil; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia commutata; Wood Spurge; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia corollata; Flowering Spurge; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia dentata; Synonyms: Poinsettia dentata; Wild
Poinsettia; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia humistrata; Synonyms: Chamaesyce humistrata;
Spreading Spurge; Native; This plant is very similar to E. maculata.
Its leaves tend to be wider, the stems are greenish rather than reddish,
and the style is cleft at least halfway to the base. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia maculata; Synonyms: Chamaesyce maculata,
Chamaesyce supina; Spotted Spurge; Native; Common in dry disturbed areas
throughout the Refuge. Often, but not always, shows reddish spot
in the center of the leaves. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Euphorbia nutans; Synonyms: Chamaesyce nutans; Nodding
Spurge; Native; Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants