Tucker Prairie Flora

This list includes some of the species of prairie plants that have been found on Tucker Prairie.

Tropicos list: For a list of species found at Tucker Prairie catalogued in the Tropicos database, go to the Specimen Search page on Tropicos and click on the “Advanced Search” link (to the right of the Collector Name and Number boxes). In the Advanced Search form, enter United States for Country, Missouri for Upper Political, and Callaway for Lower Political. In the keyword field, enter Tucker [without quote marks]. It will return a list of specimens marked for Tucker Prairie. This is what is currently in Tropicos.

For assistance in identification, we suggest Missouri Wild Flowers, by Edgar Denison; Steyermark’s Flora of Missouri (Vols. I & II) by George Yatskievych (both published by the Missouri Department of Conservation), and The Grasses of Missouri (2nd ed.) by Clair Kucera (University of Missouri Press).

Each species has a characteristic flowering season, which is marked on the list by Spring (April to mid-June), Summer (mid-June to mid-August), and Fall (mid-August to October).

Some woody forest and forest-edge species are not listed.

Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)
  • Ruellia humilis (Wild petunia)
Alismataceae (Arrow leaf Family)
  • Alisma subcordatum (Water plantain), Summer
  • Sagittaria rigida (Sessilefruit Arrowhead), Summer
Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
  • Rhus glabra (Smooth sumac), Spring
  • Rhus copallinum (Winged sumac), Spring
  • Toxicodendron radicans (Poison ivy), Spring
Apiaceae / Umbelliferae (Parsley Family)
  • Cicuta maculata (Water hemlock), Summer
  • Daucus carota (Queen Anne’s lace), Summer-Fall
  • Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake master), Summer
  • Sanicula canadensis (Canadian black snakeroot), Summer
Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
  • Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp), Spring
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
  • Asclepias hirtella (Tall green Milkweed), Summer
  • Asclepias purpurascens (Purple milkweed), Summer
  • Asclepias sullivantii (Prairie milkweed), Summer
  • Asclepias syriaca (Common milkweed), Summer
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

  • Achillea millefolium (Yarrow), Summer

  • Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Common ragweed), Summer

  • Ambrosia bidentata (Lanceleaf ragweed), Summer

  • Antennaria neglecta (Field Pussytoes), Spring

  • Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks), Summer

  • Arnoglossum plantagineum (Cacalia plantaginea) (Groovestem Indian plantain), Spring-Summer

  • Cirsium altissimum (Tall thistle), Summer

  • Cirsium vulgare (Bull thistle), Summer-Fall

  • Conyza ramosissima (Dwarf Horseweed), Spring

  • Coreopsis palmata (Prairie Coreopsis), Summer

  • Erechtites hieracifolius (American burnweed), Summer

  • Erigeron annuus (Eastern daisy Fleabane), Spring

  • Erigeron canadensis (Canadian Horseweed), Spring

  • Erigeron strigosus (Prairie Fleabane), Spring

  • Eupatorium perfoliatum  (Common boneset), Summer

  • Eupatorium serotinum (Late Flowering Thoroughwort), Summer

  • Euthamia graminifolia (Solidago graminifolia)  (Flat-top Goldentop), Summer

  • Euthamia gymnospermoides (Solidago gymnospermoides)  (Texas Goldentop), Fall

  • Helenium flexuosum (Purplehead sneezeweed), Summer

  • Helianthus grosseserratus (Sawtooth sunflower), Summer

  • Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy sunflower), Summer

  • Helianthus x laetiflorus (Cheerful Sunflower), Summer

  • Helianthus mollis (Ashy sunflower), Fall

  • Helianthus pauciflorus (Stiff sunflower), Summer-Fall

  • Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved woodland sunflower), Fall

  • Hieracium longipilum (Hairy Hawkweed), Summer

  • Krigia biflora (Two-flower dwarf dandelion), Spring-Summer

  • Lactuca canadensis (Canada lettuce), Summer

  • Lactuca serriola (Prickly lettuce), Summer

  • Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye daisy), Spring-Summer

  • Liatris pycnostachya (Prairie Blazing star), Summer

  • Parthenium integrifolium (Wild Quinine), Summer

  • Prenanthes aspera (Rough Rattlesnake root), Summer

  • Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (Rabbit-tobacco), Summer

  • Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Carolina desert-chicory), Summer

  • Rudbeckia hirta v. pulcherrima (Black-eyed Susan), Summer

  • Packera paupercula (Senecio pauperculus)  (Balsam groundsel), Spring-Summer

  • Silphium integrifolium (Wholeleaf Rosinweed), Summer

  • Silphium laciniatum (Compass plant), Summer

  • Solidago missouriensis v. fasciculata (Missouri goldenrod), Fall

  • Solidago nemoralis (Gray goldenrod), Fall

  • Symphyotrichum ericoides (White Heath aster), Fall

  • Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster), Fall

  • Symphyotrichum patens (Late purple aster), Fall

  • Symphyotrichum pilosum (Hairy white oldfield aster), Fall

  • Symphyotrichum praealtum (Willow-leaf aster), Fall

  • Vernonia baldwinii (Baldwin’s Ironweed), Summer

  • Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed), Summer-Fall

Balsaminaceae (Touch-me-not Family)
  • Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed), Spring-Summer
Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
  • Myosotis verna (Spring forget-me-not), Spring
Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
  • Barbarea vulgaris (Garden Yellow rocket), Spring
  • Brassica nigra (Black mustard), Spring
  • Cardamine parvifiora v. arenicola (Sand Bittercress), Spring
Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)
  • Campanula americana (American Bellflower), Summer
  • Triodanis perfoliata (Clasping Venus’ looking glass), Spring-Summer
  • Lobelia spicata (Pale Spiked lobelia), Summer
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
  • Sambucus nigra ssp. (American Black Elderberry), Summer
  • Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry), Summer
Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
  • Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare (Big Chickweed), Spring
  • Dianthus armeria (Deptford pink), Summer
  • Silene antirrhina (Sleepy Silene), Spring-Sumemr
Celastraceae (Staff-Tree Family)
  • Euonymous atropurpureus (Burningbush), Spring
Chenopodiaceae (Goose Foot Family)
  • Chenopodium album (Lamb’s quarters), Spring-Fall
Clusiaceae (St. John’s-wort Family)
  • Hypericum drummondii (Nits and lice), Summer
  • Hypericum mutilum (Dwarf St. John’s wort), Summer
  • Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John’s wort), Summer
Commelinaceae (Day Flower Family)
  • Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio Spiderwort), Spring
Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory Family)
  • Cuscuta glomerata (Rope Dodder), Summer-Fall
Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)
  • Cornus racemosa (Gray dogwood), Spring
Cupressaceae (Cedar Family)
  • Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar), Spring
Cyperceae (Sedge Family)

  • Carex amphibola (Eastern narrowleaf Sedge), Spring

  • Carex annectans v. xantlwcarpa  (Yellow fruit Sedge), Spring

  • Carex bicknellii  (Bicknell’s Sedge), Spring

  • Carex brevior  (Shortbeak Sedge), Spring

  • Carex bushii  (Bush’s Sedge), Spring

  • Carex cephalophora  (Oval-leaf Sedge), Spring

  • Carex complanata  (Hirsute Sedge), Spring

  • Carex conoidea  (Openfield Sedge), Spring

  • Carex festucacea  (Fescue Sedge), Spring

  • Carex grisea  (Inflated narrow-leaf Sedge), Spring

  • Carex hirsutella  (Fuzzy wuzzy Sedge), Spring

  • Carex meadii  (Mead’s Sedge), Spring

  • Carex scoparia  (Broom Sedge), Spring

  • Carex squarrosa  (Squarerosa Sedge), Spring

  • Carex trichocarpa  (Hairyfruit Sedge), Spring

  • Cyperus strigosus  (Strawcolored flat Sedge), Spring

  • Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa  (Slender Spike rush), Spring

  • Eleocharis wolfii  (Wolf’s Spike rush), Spring

  • Scirpus atrovirens  (Common Bulrush), Spring

  • Scirpus pendulus  (Rufous Bulrush), Spring

  • Scleria triglomerata  (Whip Nutrush), Spring

Dipsacaceae (Teasel Family)
  • Dipsacus fullonum (Fuller’s teasel), Summer-Fall
  • Dipsacus laciniatus (Cutleaf teasel), Summer-Fall
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
  • Acalypha virginica (Virginia Threeseeded mercury), Summer
  • Euphorbia nutans (Eyebane), Summer
  • Euphorbia corollata (Flowering spurge), Summer
Fabaceae / Mimosaceae (Mimosa Family)
  • Mimosa quadrivalvis v. nuttallii (Schrankia uncinata) (Nuttall’s Sensitive-briar), Summer
  • Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundleflower), Summer
Fabaceae (Cassia Family)
  • Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge pea), Summer
Fabaceae (Pea family)
  • Amorpha canescens (Lead plant), Summer
  • Baptisia alba v. macrophylla (Largeleaf wild indigo), Spring
  • Baptisia bracteata v. leucophaea (Longbract wild indigo), Spring
  • Crotolaria sagittalis (Arrowhead rattlebox), Summer
  • Desmodium illinoense (Illinois ticktrefoil), Summer
  • Kummerowia stipulacea (Lespedeza stipulaceae) (Korean lespedeza), Summer
  • Lespedeza capitata (Roundhead lespedeza), Summer
  • Lespedeza virginica (Slender lespedeza), Summer
  • Melilotus albus (White sweet clover), Spring
  • Melilotus officinalis (Sweet clover), Spring
  • Orbexilum pedunculatum (Psoralea psoralioides)  (Sampson’s snakeroot), Summer
  • Strophostyles helvola (Amberique-bean), Summer
  • Trifolium campestre (Field clover), Spring
  • Trifoium pratense (Red clover), Spring
  • Trifolium repens (White clover), Spring
Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
  • Gentiana puberulenta (Downy gentian), Fall
  • Sabatia angularis (Rosepink), Summer
Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
  • Geranium carolinianum (Carolina geranium), Summer
lridaceae (Iris Family)
  • Sisyrinchium albidum (White blue-eyed grass), Spring
  • Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass), Spring
  • Sisyrinchium campestre (Prairie blue-eyed grass), Spring
Juncaceae (Rush Family)
  • Juncus interior (Inland rush), Summer
  • Juncus marginatus (Grassleaf rush), Spring
  • Juncus tenuis (Poverty rush), Spring
  • Juncus torreyi (Torrey’s rush), Spring
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
  • Lycopus americanus (American water horehound), Summer
  • Monardafistulosa ssp. fistulosa (Wild bergamot), Summer
  • Prunella vulgaris v. vulgaris (Common self-heal), Summer
  • Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Narrowleaf mountain mint), Summer
  • Teucrium canadense (Canada germander), Summer 
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
  • Erythronium  albidum (White fawnlily), Spring
  • Erythronium mesochoreum (Midland fawnlily), Spring
  • Hypoxis hirsute (Yellow star-grass), Spring
  • Lilium michiganense (Michigan lily), Summer
  • Veratrum virginicum (Virginia bunchflower), Summer
Linaceae Flax (Flax Family)
  • Linum medium v. texanum (Stiff yellow flax), Summer
  • Linum sulcatum (Grooved flax), Summer
Lythraceae (Loosestrife Family)

  • Lythrum alatum v. alatum (Winged Lythrum), Summer

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)
  • Oenothera suffrutescens (Gaura coccinea) (Scarlet beeblossom), Summer
  • Ludwigia alternifolia (Seedbox), Summer
  • Oenothera biennis (Common evening primrose), Summer
  • Oenothera villosa (Hairy evening primrose), Summer
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
  • Platanthera lacera (Green fringed orchid), Summer
  • Spiranthes cernua (Nodding lady’s tresses), Fall
  • Spiranthes magnicamporum (Great plains lady’s tresses), Spring
Oxalidaceae (Wood Sorrel Family)
  • Oxalis stricta (Common yellow oxalis), Spring
  • Oxalis violacea (Violet wood sorrel), Spring
Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed Family)
  • Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed), Summer
Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)
  • Plantago aristata (Large bracted-plantain), Spring-Summer-Fall
  • Plantago patagonica (Woolly plantain), Spring-Summer
  • Plantago virginica (Virginia plantain), Spring
Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grass Family)
  • Agrostis gigantea (Redtop), Summer
  • Agrostis hyemalis (Winter bentgrass), Spring
  • Alopecurus carolinianus (Carolina foxtail), Summer
  • Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem), Fall
  • Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem), Fall
  • Aristida oligantha (Prairie threeawn), Summer
  • Bramus racemosus (Bald brome), Spring
  • Cinna arundinacea (Sweet woodreed), Summer
  • Dactylis glomerata (Orchardgrass), Spring
  • Danthania spicata (Poverty oatgrass), Spring
  • Echinochloa  muricata (Rough barnyard grass), Summer
  • Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye), Summer
  • Eragrostis pectinacea (Tufted lovegrass), Summer
  • Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple lovegrass), Summer
  • Festuca paradoxa (Clustered fescue), Spring
  • Glyceria striata (Fowl manna grass), Spring
  • Hordeum pusillum (Little barley), Spring
  • Koeleria macrantha (Prairie June grass), Spring
  • Leersia oryzoides (Rice cutgrass), Summer
  • Leersia virginica (Whitegrass), Summer
  • Muhlenbergia frondosa (Wirestem muhly), Fall
  • Muhlenbergia glabrifloris (Inland muhly), Fall
  • Dichanthelium acuminatum var. acuminatum (Tapered rosette grass), Spring-Summer
  • Dichanthelium  clandestinum (Deer tongue), Spring-Summer
  • Panicum dichotomiflorum), Fall panic grass), Spring-Summer
  • Dichanthelium oligosanthes v. scribnerianum (Scribner’s panic grass), Summer
  • Panicum rigidulum (Redtop panic grass), Spring-Summer
  • Panicum virgatum (Switch grass), Fall
  • Paspalum laeve (Field paspalum), Fall
  • Paspalum setaceum (Thin paspalum), Fall
  • Phleum pratense (Timothy), Spring
  • Poa compressa (Canada bluegrass), Spring
  • Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), Spring
  • Setaria glauca (Yellow foxtail), Summer-Fall
  • Setaria parviflora (Marsh bristlegrass)
  • Setaria viridis (Green bristlegrass), Summer-Fall
  • Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass), Fall
  • Spartina pectinata (Prairie cordgrass), Summer
  • Sphenopholis obtusata (Prairie wedgescale), Spring
  • Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie dropseed), Fall
  • Tridens flavus (Purpletop tridens), Summer-Fall
  • Vulpia octoflora (Sixweeks fescue), Spring
Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)
  • Polygala sanguinea (Purple milkwort), Summer
  • Polygala verticillata (Whorled milkwort), Summer
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
  • Polyganum aviculare (Prostrate knotweed), Summer-Fall
  • Persicaria punctata (Dotted smartweed), Summer-Fall
  • Rumex acetosella (Common sheep sorrel), Summer-Fall
  • Rumex crispus (Curly dock), Spring
Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
  • Anagallis minima (Chaffweed), Spring
  • Dodecatheon meadia (Eastern shooting star), Spring
  • Lysimachia ciliata (Fringed loosestrife), Summer
  • Lysimachia lanceolata (Lanceleaf loosestrife), Summer
Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot Family)
  • Ranunculus abortivus (Littleleaf buttercup), Spring
  • Ranunculus micranthus (Rock buttercup), Spring
Rhamnaceae (Buckthom Family)
  • Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), Spring
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
  • Agrimonia parviflora (Harvest lice), Fall
  • Crataegus  crus-galli (Cockspur hawthorn), Spring
  • Crataegus mollis (Downy hawthorn), Spring
  • Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry), Spring
  • Geum canadense (White avens), Spring
  • Geum vernum), Spring avens), Spring
  • Malus pumila (M. communis) (Paradise apple), Spring
  • Potentilla recta (Sulphur cinquefoil), Spring
  • Potentilla simplex (Common cinquefoil), Spring
  • Prunus americana (American plum), Spring
  • Rosa carolina (Carolina rose), Summer
  • Rubus flagellaris (Northern dewberry), Summer
  • Rubus pensilvanicus (Pennsylvania blackberry), Spring
Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
  • Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush), Summer
  • Diodia teres (Poor Joe), Summer
  • Galium aparine (Sticky willow), Summer
  • Galium circaezans v. circaezans (Bedstraw), Spring
  • Galium concinnum (Shining bedstraw), Spring
  • Galium obtusum ssp. obtusum (Bluntleaf bedstraw), Spring
  • Galium tinctorium (Stiff marsh bedstraw), Summer
  • Galium virgatum (Southwest bedstraw), Spring
Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)
  • Comandra umbellata (Bastard toadflax), Spring
Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
  • Heuchera richardsonii (Richardson’s alum root), Spring
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
  • Agalinis fasciculate (Beach false foxglove), Fall
  • Castilleja coccinea (Scarlet paintbrush), Spring-Summer
  • Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove beard tongue), Summer
  • Verbascum thapsus (Common mullein), Summer
  • Veronica peregrina (Neckweed), Spring
  • Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root), Summer-Fall
Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
  • Physalis heterophylla (Ground Cherry), Summer
  • Physalis virginiana (Ground Cherry), Summer
  • Solanum carolinense (Horse Nettle), Summer
Typhaceae (Cat-tail Family)
  • Typha latifolia (Broadleaf Cattail), Summer
Ulmaceae (Elm Family)
  • Ulmus americana (American elm), Spring
  • Celtis occidentalis v. occidentalis (Common hackberry), Spring
Valerianaceae (Valerian Family)
  • Valerianella radiata (Beaked corn salad), Spring
Verbenaceae (Vervain Family)
  • Verbena hastata (Swamp verbena), Summer
  • Verbena urticifolia (White vervain), Summer
Violaceae (Violet Family)
  • Viola sagittata (Arrowleaf violet), Spring
(Additional taxa:)
  • Malus ioensis (prairie crab apple)
  • Solidago altissima (tall goldenrod)
  • Symphyotrichum parviceps (Small head aster)
  • Viola bicolor (Field pansy)