Tradescantia (ohiensis) (virginiana)

Tradescantia ohiensis, Ohio Spiderwort or Bluejacket spiderwort has smooth, bluish to silver stems and  leaves topped with spidery clusters of bright blue flowers. It grows best in light to moderate shade for dark green foliage or in full sun for more flowers.  When cut back to the ground after blooming it will have renewed growth and bloom a second time in the autumn.  It is beautiful when grown on an open wooded hillside with Wild Geraniums or a open meadow with Penstemon (Foxglove Beardtongue), and Monarda (Wild Bergamot).  Ohio spiderwort can be planted in a prairie meadow with Big Bluestem grass, Liatris (blazing Star), Echinacea (Coneflower), Ratibida (Prairie coneflower), Monarda (Bergamot, and other prairie wildflowers and grasses.  Ohio Spiderwort may grow aggressively in rich soil.  Seeds germinate in a few weeks without pretreatment.  Tradescantia ohiensis is a native wildflower occurring naturally  in open woods, prairies, and savannas from Massachusetts to Minnesota and Nebraska, south to Florida and Texas.  Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

The blue hairs on the stamens are distinctive. These hairs are blue even on the rare white flowered plants and are composed of a chain of single large cells that can be seen clearly with low magnification and turn pink when exposed to even low levels of nuclear radiation.

The Cherokee used Spiderwort as an ingredient in several preparations for female and kidney problems. They used a tea for digestive problems and would rub crushed leaves on insect bites (stings). A root poultice was used for cancer.

This species of spiderwort is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial which grows up to 3' tall. Violet-blue to purple, three-petaled flowers (.75-1.5" diameter) accented by contrasting yellow stamens open up, a few at a time, each for only one day, from terminal clusters (umbels) containing numerous flower buds. Flowers bloom in succession from late May into early July. Arching, iris-like, dark green leaves up to 1' long and 1 inch wide are folded lengthwise forming a groove. A Missouri native plant that is commonly found on open wooded slopes and moist shaded bluff ledges in the eastern part of the State. When the stems of spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening (like a spider's web), hence the common name.

An interesting and long-blooming perennial for native plant gardens, woodland or shade gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas. Also can be grown in borders, but mid-summer foliage decline is a potential disincentive for this placement.

This relative of the Cyclamen is truly one of our finest native wildflowers. Delicate white to pink petals surround a yellow and red center, and actually give the appearance of a shooting star. The lush green foliage makes a perfect background for the striking flowers. A spring bloomer, it makes its appearance while most other prairie flowers are just waking from their winter slumbers. Goes dormant by early August to make way for summer and fall blooming flowers. Shootingstar grows well in any good soil, in sun or light shade, and positively exults in rich garden soil! Fall transplanting is recommended, but planting in early spring is also fine.

Polygonatum canaliculatum 

The gracefully arching stems of Great Solomon’s Seal lend a strong architectural element to the prairie garden or meadow. The subtle, cream-colored flowers appear in May and June, but it is the deep purple berries that put on the real show in autumn. The attractive foliage turns a striking gold in fall, and is reason enough alone to plant this long-lived denizen of prairies and open woodlands. Grows between two and four feet tall on any well-drained soil, from rich sand to loam and clay. Spreading slowly by rhizomes, it will form nice patches. Seeds are "double dormant", and often require two years after planting to germinate. Well worth the wait!

These lovely perennials are found wild in shady hollows and forests from Siberia to Japan. Dicentras are commonly known as Bleeding Hearts. The varieties of these plants range in height from 12 to 30 inches and spread up to 18 inches or more. D. spectabilis var. alba is a clump-forming plant with light green, deeply divided leaves resembling those of the fern. Its pure white, heart-shaped flowers hang pendulous from arching stems in late spring and early summer. It is sometimes hard to distinguish this variety from the pink-flowered kinds when not in bloom, so to avoid disappointment, purchase this plant during its flowering period. D. 'Bacchanal' is more of a spreading plant, growing from 12 to 18 inches high. Its foliage is also fern-like and a pretty green color. The small, heart-shaped flowers of this variety also grow from arching stems in late spring and early summer; they are very dark red. D. 'Spring Morning' forms mounds of bright grayish-green, feathery foliage up to a foot high. Its small, heart-shaped flowers are pink.

This wild geranium is a clump-forming, Missouri native, woodland perennial which typically occurs in woods, thickets and shaded roadside areas throughout the State. Forms a mound of foliage that grows to 24" tall and 18" wide. Features 1 1/4" diameter, pink to lilac, saucer-shaped, upward facing, 5-petaled flowers in spring for a period of 6-7 weeks. Deeply cut, palmately 5-lobed, dark green leaves (to 6" across). Flowers give way to distinctive, beaked seed capsules which give rise to the common name of crane's bill (geranium in Greek means crane).

Young Native American men mixed the seeds with their smoking tobacco to give it a more pleasant aroma and this may have been considered a love charm. It was considered to possess a persuasive power and was so used in council meetings.

Columbine is a native spring wildflower which occurs in rocky woods, slopes, ledges and open areas throughout the State. Features drooping, bell-like, 1-2", red and yellow flowers (red sepals, yellow-limbed petals, 5 distinctive red spurs and a mass of bushy yellow stamens). Delicate, biternate foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue (Thalictrum) and remains attractive throughout the summer as long as soils are kept moist. Flowers are quite attractive to hummingbirds.

Mayapple is a rhizomatous, native wildflower that occurs in both moist and dry woodland areas throughout the State. From a single stem, each plant grows 12-18" tall and features one or two, deeply-divided, palmately-lobed, umbrella-like, pale green leaves (to 12" diameter). Plants with only one leaf will not flower. From the crotch (leaf axil) on two-leafed plants, a single, nodding, waxy, 6-9-petaled, white flower (3" diameter) appears on a short, thin stem in early spring. Flowers are quite showy, but usually hidden by the umbrella-like leaves. Each flower gives way to an edible, fleshy, greenish fruit (mayapple) which turn golden when ripe and may be used to make preserves and jellies. Leaves and roots are poisonous, however.

Excellent for naturalizing in woodland settings, wild or native plant gardens. Because plants naturalize freely but go dormant in summer (foliage disappears), mayapple is not considered a good border plant.

Perennial growing to 0.4m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 4. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Virginia bluebells is a native wildflower that occurs statewide in moist, rich woods and river floodplains. An erect, clump-forming perennial which grows 1-2' tall and features loose, terminal clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped, blue flowers (to 1" long) which bloom in early spring. Flower buds are pink and flowers emerge with a pinkish cast before turning blue. Smooth, oval, bluish green leaves (to 4" long). Foliage dies to the ground by mid-summer as the plant goes dormant.

Best massed and left undisturbed in moist, shady woodland, wildflower or native plant gardens. Clumps may be sprinkled in borders or rock gardens, but, since plants go dormant in summer, they must be overplanted with annuals or used in conjunction with perennials (as ferns or hostas) which will expand as the growing season progresses.

Sanguinaria Canadensis

Lore: The juice from the root was used as a body paint and dye by Native Americans. Warriors painted their faces with it and maidens their bodies. Reportedly a woman was given as a bed mate to a colonist at Jamestown by a local tribe and was presented wearing only a coat of red body paint made from Bloodroot.^(Dobelis) The root juice has been used as a dye for fabrics producing a yellow orange color that is very fast. It has also been used as a charm. Young men of the Ponca tribe would put the juice of the root on their palm and contrive to shake hands with the maiden they desired to marry and in five or six days she would be willing to marry him.^{(Foster & Duke)} Applying the root or juice to the skin is a questionable activity as the plant is known to be an escharotic, a substance that kills tissue. See warnings below.

Bloodroot is a stemless, rhizomatous, wildflower which blooms in early spring in rich woods and along streams throughout the State. Typically rises 6-10" tall and spreads over time in the wild to form large colonies on the forest floor. Each flower stalk typically emerges in spring wrapped by one palmate, deeply-scalloped, grayish-green, basal leaf. As the flower blooms, the leaf unfurls. Each flower stalk produces a solitary, 2" wide, 8-10 petaled, 1.5" diameter, white flower with numerous yellow center stamens. Flowers open up in sun but close at night, and are very short-lived (1-2 days). Leaves continue to grow in size after bloom (sometimes to as much as 9" across) and remain attractive until mid to late summer when the plant goes dormant. All parts of the plant exude a bright reddish-orange sap when cut, hence the common name. Sap was once used by Native Americans for dyes. Rootstock is caustic and poisonous if ingested, but has been used medicinally for its antiseptic and emetic properties.

The distinctive feature of this violet is its leaves -- some of them are cut or divided into lobes. The prototypical early blue violet has lobed leaves, usually with five to eleven lobes others have a mixture of lobed leaves and unlobed, heart-shaped leaves. This marks it as Viola palmata var. triloba, which was once considered a separate species (Viola triloba). Birdfoot violet and coast violet look somewhat similar, but their leaves are cut into deeper, narrower lobes.

Asteraceae Family - "Short's Aster"

From the Greek, "Aster" in reference to the shape of the flower and its bracts. At least 200 species are found across North America with dozens in the Tallgrass Praire region alone.

Found throughout the Tallgrass Prairie region in a dizzying array of habitats from marshes to woodlands. Aster colonies frequently cover large areas. Often quite striking in color, the asters bloom from July through the first hard frost.

Several tribes used the smoke from burning aster plants to assist in reviving persons who had fainted. Some other Native American tribes brewed a tea from aster plants to relieve headaches. In our area, the Meskwaki would make a smudge from Aster laeteriflorus to treat insanity.

This native perennial plant is 2—3_' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half. It is more or less erect, although the weight of the inflorescence often causes the stems to lean sideways. The stems are round and slender, often with lines of small white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 2" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. Their petioles are very slender and about 1" long on the lower leaves, while the upper leaves are nearly sessile. The petioles are often hairy. The lower leaves are narrowly cordate with heart-shaped bases, while the upper leaves are narrowly cordate or lanceolate. The upper surface of each leaf is smooth and hairless (not rough), while the lower surface is often covered with fine short hairs, especially along the central vein. The lower surface of the leaves also has a reticulated network of fine secondary veins. The leaf margins are smooth, or nearly so.

The upper stems terminate in panicles of composite flowers up to 1' long. Each composite flower is about _—1" across, and consists of 10-20 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The ray florets are lavender or pale blue-violet, while the disk florets are initially yellow, becoming reddish purple with age. On unusual specimens, the ray florets are light pink or white. The overlapping involucral bracts are narrow and finely pubescent. Each bract has a small dark green diamond toward its tip. The blooming period occurs from late summer through the fall, and lasts about 1—1_ months. Both the ray and disk florets can produce fertile seeds, each equipped with a small tuft of light brown hair. They are distributed by the wind. On mature plants, the root system consists of a caudex with coarse secondary roots, and short rhizomes are occasionally produced. This plant can form small vegetative colonies.

Asteraceae Family - "Elm-leaved Goldenrod"

Solidago comes from the Latin word solido meaning "to strengthen; to make solid". Ulmifolia is the Latin word for "with leaves like an elm (Ulmus)".

Yellow to yellow-orange flowers in spreading clusters at the top of the plant bloom from August to October. Leaves resemble an elm leaf, coarsely toothed and soft with hairy undersides. Stem is smooth and hairless but flower stems are usually hairy. Reaches 2 to 4 1/2 feet and prefers dry woodlands and thickets through the northern Tallgrass region and eastward to Vermont.

This native perennial plant is about 1-3' tall and little branched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is slender and glabrous. The alternate leaves are up to 3_" long and 1_" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lanceolate or ovate, serrated along their margins, and pinnately veined. The upper surface of each leaf is glabrous, while the lower surface has a few hairs along the major veins. The central stem terminates in a spreading panicle of flowering racemes. This panicle is rather lanky and often causes the entire plant to lean over because of the weight of the flowerheads. Each flowerhead is about 1/8" across; it consists of several yellow ray florets that surround the yellow disk florets. At the base of each flowerhead, there is an overlapping series of floral bracts; these bracts are green and narrow. In addition to these flowerheads, small leaves (or leafy bracts) are interspersed along the racemes; these racemes are often pubescent. Short secondary racemes of flowers often develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Each floret is fertile and develops into a small achene with a tuft of hair. These achenes are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a branching caudex and secondary fibrous roots; rhizomes are also produced, which enable this plant to form vegetative colonies.

Notable for its brilliant yellow flowers, this shade-loving goldenrod also sports attractive, finely-serrated oval leaves. Named for the way the flowers zig and zag their way up the stem, it grows two to four feet tall on dry to medium woodland soils with a good humus content. This is a great plant for adding color and interest to the late fall woodland.

The Penstemon calycosus Small more commonly known as longsepal beardtongue can be referenced under the symbol PECA7.The botany heiarchy of the longsepal beardtongue is classified within group Dicot of the Scrophulariaceae family. The growth habit of the longsepal beardtongue is found growing as a Forb/herb. This plant is considered Native to the United States of America. The longsepal beardtongue is a Perennial plant which means it lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not. The longsepal beardtongue can currently be found within 11 states in the United States, please see the information posted above to find out what state this plant currently resides.

This native perennial plant is about 1-3' tall and unbranched, except for a few flowering stems near the apex. The central stem may have fine white hairs, otherwise it is glabrous. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. They are cordate or lanceolate, devoid of hairs, and have widely spaced sharp teeth. These leaves are sessile, or clasp the stem. A panicle of flowers occurs at the apex of the central stem, and smaller panicles of flowers may occur on upper side stems. The stems of each inflorescence (peduncles and pedicels) are usually covered with fine white hairs. Each tubular flower is about 1" long, with 2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes; the lower lobes do not project outward any further than the upper lobes. On the outer surface, the corolla is light violet or purple and covered with conspicuous hairs, while the inner surface is white. The lower inner surface of the corolla is smooth and lacks ridges. The dark anthers within the corolla are hairless. The calyx of this penstemon has 5 linear sepals that are about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers are replaced by capsules containing numerous seeds. These small seeds can be carried several feet by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot. The flowering stalk tends to die down after the blooming period.

Lungwort is the unattractive common name of a very attractive and useful group of plants that grow best in shaded areas. It is also known as Bethlehem sage. The main attraction of lungwort is the dark green, silver-spotted leaves. It blooms early in the spring, just as new foliage emerges. Its flower buds are pink but open to bright blue. The flowers grow eight to 12 inches in high before fading, but the foliage remains attractive throughout the summer, providing an attractive accent for other shade-loving plants.

Ferns are among the world's oldest living plants and lower on the evolutionary scale than seed plants. Some common fern types are Boston, maidenhair, staghorn, rabbit's foot, and pteris. Plants in the genus Asparagus such as A. setaceus and A. densiflorus are called ferns, but are not true ferns since they produce seeds and not spores. Plants discussed in this publication are called ferns and may not be true ferns. The Florida Exotic Plant Council has reported A. densiflorus to be an invasive plant.

Hundreds of different fern types can be grown both indoors for interior decoration and outdoors as part of the landscape in Florida. Ferns are popular because of their graceful foliage and ability to grow in areas of dense shade and low light intensity. Ferns are well adapted for use on north sides of buildings where light intensity is low, under trees and in shaded sites near water features. Inside the home ferns are useful in low light areas as a complement to interior decorating.

Celandine poppy is a Missouri native wildflower which occurs most often in moist woodlands and along streambanks in the central and southeast portions of the State. Features 4-petaled, yellow flowers which bloom in spring in small clusters atop stems typically growing 12-18" tall. Blue-green, pinnately lobed foliage is silvery below. Stems contain a bright yellow sap which was formerly used as a dye by Native Americans.

Naturalize in shaded areas of woodland, shade, wildflower or native plant gardens.