| Home - Checklist of the Plants from the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge |
Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea polystachya; Synonyms:
Dioscorea oppositifolia, Dioscorea batatas; Chinese Yam; Introduced
(Asia); CCP lists this invasive plant as uncommon. Ulaszek (1988) did
not report it. Chris Evans states that "it occurs mostly in the
disturbed second-growth woods in the northern portions of the
Refuge." Readily found along the trail behind the Visitors'
Center. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Dioscorea quaternata; Wild Yam;
Native; Common in woods and thickets throughout the Refuge. Its lower
leaves are in conspicuous whorls of 3 to 9, allowing easy
identification. Mohlenbrock (2014) considers this taxon to be
occasional. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Dioscorea villosa; Wild Yam;
Native; Uncommon to locally common in woods and thickets. Its lower
leaves are alternate. The plant can be found along Rocky Bluff Trail.
Some botanists consider this species to be a variety of D.
quaternata (e.g., Jones 2005). Both Mohlenbrock (2014) and
Yatskievych (1999) describe C. villosa as a distinct taxon.
Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hemerocallidaceae (or Asphodelaceae)
Hemerocallis fulva; Orange
Day-Lily; Introduced (Eurasia); Locally common along roadsides,
woodlands, and disturbed areas at various locations within the Refuge.
Grows in dense stands. In keeping with its name, each individual flower
of this plant apparently lasts just one day. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hyacinthaceae
Ornithogalum umbellatum; Star-of-Bethlehem;
Introduced
(Europe); Locally common in thickets, fields and roadsides. It can be
found along Rocky Bluff Trail. The lovely white flowers of this plant
close in the late afternoon and night. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hydrocharitaceae
Egeria densa; Synonyms:
Elodea densa; Giant / Brazilian Waterweed; Introduced (South America);
]. Chris Evans reports that this invasive plant has been documented at
the Line 13 boat ramp on Devil's Kitchen Lake. He says: "We found two
small subpopulations of this invader in 2008 and aggressively treated
them. It is assumed to be eradicated at this point, though we continue
to survey for it" (personal communication). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Elodea canadensis; Anacharis,
Waterweed; Native; Uncommon. Ulaszek (1988) found this plant in shallow
water of Devil's Kitchen Lake. Mohlenbrock (2014) considers it rare in
southern Illinois. Frequently used as a choice aquarium plant. Not yet
relocated. Native (but naturalized in Europe and Australia). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Limnobium spongia; Frog's-Bit,
Sponge Plant; Native; Rare. Thus far the only confirmed location
in the Refuge for this interesting plant is the shore of South Grassy
Bay. Native. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Hypoxidaceae
Hypoxis hirsuta; Yellow Star
Grass; Native; CCP and Ulaszek (1988) report this striking plant as
locally common. It occurs on the border between the Refuge and areas
adjacent to the southern boundary (e.g., Touch of Nature). Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Iridaceae
Belamcanda chinensis; Blackberry
Lily; Introduced (Asia); Uncommon to rare. It can be found near the
canoe-launching site at Grassy Creek, off Tacoma Lake Road. Its fruit
resembles a blackberry. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Iris germanica; German
(Bearded) Iris; Introduced; Occasional in roadsides, grassy areas, and
sometimes in the forest. Origin uncertain (probably southern Europe).
Yatskievych (1999) describes a very similar species, Iris pallida,
introduced from eastern Europe and naturalized sporadically in both
western and eastern Missouri. The bracts surrounding the flower of this
species are gray, rather than green. Possibly to be expected in the
Refuge, although Mohlenbrock (2014) does not mention it. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Sisyrinchium albidum; Pale Blue-eyed
Grass; Native; CCP and Ulaszek (1988) consider this plant to be
"occasional." It occurs in wooded areas. Mohlenbrock (2014) regards it
as common. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Sisyrinchium angustifolium; Stout
Blue-eyed
Grass; Native; Locally common in woodland edges and thickets. In the
Refuge this species is the more common and tends to be the taller of the
two Sisyrinchia. Easily found along the Rocky Bluff Trail. The flowers
of S. angustifolium are stalked whereas those of S.
albidum emerge at the tip of the central stalk. Native. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncaceae
Juncus acuminatus; Pointed Rush;
Native; Locally common. Can be found along the margins of Devil's
Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus biflorus; Two-flowered
Rush; Native; Locally common in wet areas. Abundant along Pigeon Creek
Road and A-41 areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus brachycarpus; Short-fruited
Rush; Native; CCP and Ulaszek (1988) regard this species as locally
abundant. Mohlenbrock (2014) reports it as occasional throughout the
state. It is locally common in the Refuge. Occurs in moist areas across
from Harmony Trail and near Crab Orchard Lake, e.g., the
Greenbrier area. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus dudleyi; Dudley's Rush;
Native; Very similar to the abundant Juncus tenuis, so it is easily
overlooked. Both CCP and Mohlenbrock (2014) report it as occasional in
moist areas. Careful searching will no doubt confirm its presence in the
Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus effusus; Soft Rush;
Native; CCP and Ulaszek (1988) consider this species as occasional.
Mohlenbrock (2014) regards it as common in the southern half of
Illinois. It is locally common in the Refuge, e.g., in moist ground
along Pigeon Creek Road, where it occurs in dense stands. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus interior; Inland Rush;
Native; Though common according to Mohlenbrock (2014), CCP and Ulaszek
(1988) agree that it is uncommon in the Refuge. We can find it in the
grassy field across from Harmony Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus marginatus; Grass-leaved
Rush; Native; Ulaszek (1988) refers to a report of this species by D.G.
Stookey published in 1964. Ulaszek (1988) did not see it and could not
locate a voucher specimen. This plant is very similar to the locally
common J. biflorus. I list it as "hypothetical." Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus nodatus; Stout Rush;
Native; Uncommon. Occurs here and there along the shores of Devil's
Kitchen Lake and Little Grassy Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus secundus; One-sided Rush;
Native; Occasional. Can be found along Harmony Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus tenuis; Path Rush;
Native; The most abundant rush. Occurs in all kinds of habitat, from
moist to dry ground and in disturbed, traveled areas. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Juncus torreyi; Torrey's Rush;
Native; Locally common, according to Ulaszek (1988) and CCP, in moist
areas. I have not yet seen this plant in the Refuge. Possibly
overlooked. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Luzula echinata; Prickly Wood
Rush; Native; Common in wooded areas throughout the Refuge. A
spring flower. Yatskievych (1999) considers L. echinata, L. bulbosa
and L.
multiflora to be subspecies of L. campestris.
Mohlenbrock (2014), as does Jones (2005), lists all three as
distinct species. Jones (2005) reports that L. campestris is a
European plant. Morphologically it is quite easy to distinguish between
L. echinata and L. multiflora. I suspect that L.
bulbosa also occurs in the Refuge, since it is widespread
throughout the state, but has been overlooked. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Luzula multiflora; Common Wood
Rush; Native; Less common than the previous taxon, but can be found on
wooded slopes along Devil's Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Liliaceae
Erythronium albidum; White Trout
Lily; Native; Not included in the CCP list. Ulaszek (1988) reports it as
rare. And in the Refuge rare indeed it is. Chris Evans located it both
in the woods some distance from and along the northeastern section of
the Rocky Bluff Trail. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Erythronium americanum; Yellow
Trout
Lily; Native; Locally abundant in upland woods. One of the most common
(and most photographed) spring flowers along Rocky Bluff Trail. Native.
Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lilium lancifolium; Tiger
Lily; Introduced (Asia); Not listed in the CCP or in Ulaszek (1988). The
plant can be found in woods west of the Tacoma Lake Road boat dock. In a
personal communication John Schwegman informed me that he had not found
this plant in the wild in southern Illinois. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lilium michiganense; Turk's-cap
/ Michigan Lily; Native; Ulaszek (1988) reports this taxon as uncommon
in mesic upland forest and thickets. Mohlenbrock (2014) views the
plant as "rather common" throughout the state. I have not yet found it
in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Lilium superbum; Superb
(Turk's-cap) Lily; Native; Rare. Ulaszek (1988) found a colony of 90-100
stems on a terrace in a mesic upland forest. In 1981 Sheviak listed it
as endangered. Its current presence in the Refuge is in doubt. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Stenanthium gramineum; Grass-leaved
Lily; Native; In a personal communication, Ulaszek reports that in 1983
he found a small population of this state endangered plant in the
Devil's Kitchen area, but at the time could not identify it. Subsequent,
familiarity with the plant convinced him of the true identity of the
1983 observation. Hence I list it here (even if only in a hypothetical
category) as an addition to the Refuge Flora. Note: S. gramineum is
listed as endangered on the 2011 Illinois Endangered Species Protection
Board Checklist. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Najadaceae
Najas gracillima; Slender
Water-Nymph; Native; Ulaszek (1988) reports this plant as occasional in
shallow water of Devil's Kitchen Lake. Not listed in CCP. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Najas guadalupensis; Southern
Water-Nymph; Native; Ulaszek (1988) reports this species, too, as
occasional in shallow water of Devil's Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Najas minor; Eutrophic
Water-Nymph; Introduced (Eurasia); Chris Evans reports this plant as
listed on an aquatic survey of Little Grassy Lake. Its thin wiry leaves
and aquatic habit cause it to be easily overlooked. Both Ulaszek (1988)
and Chris Evans report it as locally common in shallow water of Devil's
Kitchen Lake. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Orchidaceae
Aplectrum hyemale; Puttyroot
Orchid; Native; Locally common in upland forests. The leaves of this
species emerge in the fall and overwinter. Along Rocky Bluff Trail their
pale greenish color with bright white stripes are very conspicuous in
winter. Once it flowers the leaves disappear, and the plant is more
difficult to find. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Corallorhiza wisteriana; Wister's
Coral-root
Orchid; Native; Rare. Ulaszek (1988) reports its occurrence in mesic
upland forest. I have not yet observed it in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Cypripedium calceolus; Synonyms:
Cypripedium
parviflorum var. pubescens; Large Yellow Ladys Slipper; Native; A
cluster of this lovely flower was discovered by Chris Benda and Chris
Evans in the Prison RNA. Ulaszek (1988) did not report it. The exact
taxonomy of this striking plant remains a subject of ongoing study. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Galearis spectabilis; Synonyms:
Orchis spectabilis; Showy Orchis; Native; Ulaszek (1988) reports this
small but showy orchid as occasional in mesic upland forest. For some
reason, CCP does not list it. This orchid can be found in the nearby
woods in Johnson county. I have not yet seen it in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Goodyera pubescens; Rattlesnake
Plantain; Native; Ulaszek (1988) found this rare plant in a pine
plantation. All manuals consider it uncommon. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Liparis liliifolia; Large (Purple)
Twayblade; Native; Occasional in upland forests. It can be found in the
Prison RNA area. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Platanthera peramoena; Synonyms:
Habenaria peramoena; Purple Fringeless Orchid; Native; Ulaszek (1988)
reports this orchid as uncommon in "floodplain forest, lowland thicket,
seep." Not listed in CCP. I have not yet found it in the Refuge. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Spiranthes cernua; Nodding Ladies'
Tresses; Native; Ulaszek (1988) and CCP report this showy plant as
occasional to locally common. It occurs along the southern border of the
Refuge (e.g., on the border between the Refuge and Touch of Nature).
This species frequently occurs in colonies. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Spiranthes ovalis; Oval Ladies's
Tresses; Native; Uncommon. Can be found near junction of Rocky Bluff and
Wild Turkey Trails and in the wilderness woods along the River-to-River
Trail area. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Spiranthes tuberosa; Little Ladies'
Tresses; Native; Apparently uncommon in dry upland forests. Not yet
relocated. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Spiranthes vernalis; Spring Ladies
Tresses; Native; Rare. In grassy area between Observation Pond and Hwy
148. Jack White reported his observation of this species on the
east side of Devil's Kitchen Lake. Note: S. vernalis is listed
as endangered on the 2011 Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board
Checklist. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants
Tipularia discolor; Crane-fly
Orchid; Native; Uncommon. It occurs along Rocky Bluff Trail. Like Aplectrum
hyemale, its leaves overwinter. These can be recognized by the
deep purple undersides. Photos
Phytoimages; USDA
Plants