30 Beautiful Native Missouri Flowers and Crops

Missouri is house to a variety of gorgeous flowers and vegetation. The Present-Me State actually exhibits off in summer season due to swathes of wildflowers showing on plains and alongside roadsides. On this article, we’ll discover 30 gorgeous Missouri native flowers and vegetation.

Missouri Native Vary & Rising Zones

Missouri is a Midwestern state with a number of numerous habitats for flowers and vegetation. Missouri’s Northern Plains is a haven for wildflowers like black-eyed Susan and purple coneflower. Within the south, the Ozark Mountains present a highland ecosystem. Southeastern Missouri is a part of an alluvial plain with heat, humid circumstances.

Missouri’s totally different climates correspond to USDA Rising Zones 5b to 7. Most of Missouri has a Zone 6 local weather, though northern Missouri experiences Zone 5b. Southern Missouri’s local weather corresponds to Zones 7a and 7b.

How are Missouri’s Native Flowers Outlined

Missouri’s native flowers are usually outlined as vegetation that grew in Missouri earlier than the arrival of European settlers. A lot of Missouri’s native flowers have been used as meals and medication by Native American cultures. Do not forget that many flowers present in Missouri could also be naturalized species which can be really non-native.

30 Sorts of Native Missouri Flowers

1) Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan is a perennial wildflower from the aster household (Asteraceae). They thrive on Missouri’s plains and roadsides and develop in Zones 3 to 7. Black-eyed Susan produces brilliant yellow flowers with darkish brown facilities from summer season to fall. Native Individuals used black-eyed Susan flowers medicinally, and the roots are nonetheless used to make tea right this moment.

2) Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

Blue vervain is a herbaceous perennial that thrives in moist habitats. They arrive from the verbena household (Verbenaceae) and is discovered all through Missouri. Nonetheless, it not often grows within the Ozark Mountains.

Blue vervain produces tall spikes of blue flowers from July till September. It grows greatest in Zones 3 to eight and reaches as much as 6 toes tall.

3) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is a tuberous perennial from the milkweed genus (Asclepias) within the dogbane household (Apocynaceae). They develop in prairies and woodlands all through Missouri. In summer season, butterfly weed produces orange to yellow flowers.

Butterfly weed flowers appeal to butterflies and are essential meals vegetation for monarch butterfly larvae. Butterfly weed doesn’t produce milky sap like different milkweeds.

4) Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal flowers produce stunning pink tubular flowers from July till September. These herbaceous perennials come from the bellflower household (Campanulaceae). Cardinal flowers choose rising close to water sources comparable to lakes and river banks.

These flowers have been used medicinally by Native Individuals however could also be poisonous. Cardinal flowers develop greatest in Zones 3 to 9.

5) Widespread Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Widespread milkweed is a herbaceous perennial from the dogbane household that thrives in Missouri’s fields and plains. Widespread milkweed produces clusters of small pink, mauve, or white flowers with 5 petals.

These vegetation can unfold rapidly utilizing underground rhizomes. The stems produce a milky sap that will trigger pores and skin irritation. Widespread milkweed is a crucial meals plant for monarch butterfly larvae.

6) Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea)

Foxglove penstemon is one among Missouri’s most stunning native flowers. These herbaceous perennials develop in clumps on plains and in rocky areas, particularly within the Ozarks. Foxglove penstemons produce purple flowers with white markings that resemble foxgloves.

Foxglove penstemon flower spikes are in full bloom in Could. They arrive from the beardtongue (Penstemon) genus inside the plantain household (Plantaginaceae).

7) Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

Golden Alexanders are engaging herbaceous perennials from the carrot household (Apiaceae). They produce flat-topped umbels lined with small yellow flowers. Golden Alexanders develop in Missouri’s woodland glades and meadows.

Golden Alexanders are in style with butterflies and hoverflies due to their accessible flowers. They’re additionally important meals vegetation for Missouri woodland swallowtail butterfly larvae.

8) Clean Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

Clean ironweed is an upright herbaceous perennial from the daisy household (Asteraceae). It thrives in wetlands and prairies in northern and western Missouri. These vegetation produce tall stems topped with clusters of purple flowers.

Clean ironweed has clean leaves and stems, therefore its frequent title. The seeds and fading flowers have a rusty coloration just like iron.

9) Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)

Jacob’s ladder is a herbaceous perennial from the Polemoniaceae household. These wildflowers develop in moist woodlands and river banks throughout Missouri. These vegetation self-seeds prolifically, spreading all through its habitat.

Jacob’s ladder produces panicles of pale blue bell-shaped flowers on the finish of weak, delicate stems. These woodland wildflowers bloom from April to June.

10) Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)

Also referred to as kingcups, marsh marigolds are small, clump-forming herbaceous perennials from the buttercup household (Ranunculaceae). These engaging flowers develop in moist, boggy areas across the fringes of ponds.

Marsh marigolds produce brilliant yellow flowers from April to June in Zones 3 to 7. The rounded, peltate leaves are edible as soon as boiled.

11) Missouri Night Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)

Also referred to as Ozark sundrops, Missouri night primroses develop in rocky areas and mountain glades within the Ozarks. These herbaceous perennials produce giant yellow flowers with 4 petals from Could till August. Every flower will be as much as 5 inches large and produces a delicate scent. Nonetheless, every flower solely lasts for a single day.

12) New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

New England asters are one among North America’s most recognizable wildflowers. These herbaceous perennials come from the Asteraceae household. These flowers develop in meadows and prairies throughout Missouri.

New England asters are clump-forming vegetation with purple daisy-like flowers and yellow central florets. The stems and lanceolate leaves are lined in hairs.

13) Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

Prairie coneflowers are brilliant, tall wildflowers present in Missouri’s woodlands and prairies. Also referred to as gray-headed coneflowers, these herbaceous perennials come from the daisy household (Asteraceae). They thrive in Zones 3 to eight.

Prairie coneflowers have giant flowers with brilliant yellow petals and central grey cones. The petals level downwards and will be as much as 3 inches lengthy.

14) Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflowers are one among North America’s most iconic wildflowers. These wildflowers thrive on Missouri’s plains and grasslands and within the Ozarks. These vegetation have tall, upright stems bearing flowers with purple petals and orange-brown central cones.

Purple coneflowers have been essential medicinal vegetation in Native American societies. These vegetation have been used to deal with burns, colds, and different illnesses.

15) Fame Flower (Phemeranthus calycinus)

Fame flowers are elegant herbaceous perennials from the montia household (Montiaceae). Fame flowers are also referred to as rock pinks. These wildflowers develop in glades and rocky areas throughout Missouri.

Fame flowers produce pink flowers with hints of pink or purple in July. Every flower has 5 petals and distinguished stamens topped with yellow anthers. The leaves are skinny and succulent-like.

16) Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)

Wild petunias are stunning wildflowers native to most components of Missouri. Wild petunias are herbaceous perennials from the acanthus household (Acanthaceae). They thrive in grasslands, prairies, and woodland glades.

Wild petunias produce attractive lavender or lilac bell-shaped tubular flowers from Could till October. Every flower opens within the morning earlier than dropping off within the night.

17) Capturing Star (Dodecatheon meadia)

Capturing stars are herbaceous perennials from the primrose household (Primulaceae). These vegetation produce clusters of chic nodding white, pink, or purple flowers on prime of upright stems. Every flower has 5 petals which can be swept again and several other yellow stamens.

These engaging blooms resemble a capturing star falling by the sky. Capturing stars thrive in prairies, woodlands, and rocky slopes throughout Missouri.

18) Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)

Showy goldenrod is a spectacular flowering perennial native to Missouri. Showy goldenrod produces panicles of small, showy yellow flowers from July till September. Every panicle can maintain as much as 300 particular person flowers.

Showy goldenrod thrives in prairies and woodland areas throughout Missouri however doesn’t develop within the Ozarks. It grows greatest in full solar and well-draining, nutrient-poor soils.

19) Clean Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)

Also referred to as clean beardtongue, clean penstemon is a perennial wildflower from the plantain household. The stems maintain a number of panicles of tubular white flowers with 5 petals. The flowers bloom from April till June.

Clean penstemon grows alongside roadsides, railway tracks, and in prairies and woodlands throughout Missouri. The gorgeous flowers appeal to butterflies and different pollinators.

20) Wild Senna (Senna marilandica)

Wild senna is a lovely member of the legume household (Fabaceae) native to Missouri. These herbaceous perennials develop in meadows and woodlands all through Missouri. Wild senna prefers moist soils in Zones 4 to 9.

Wild senna produces tall stems with alternating branches of pinnate leaves. Clusters of yellow flowers just like candy peas additionally emerge from the stems.

21) Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Swamp milkweed is one other member of the Asclepias genus native to Missouri. As its title suggests, swamp milkweed thrives in boggy wetlands and swamps. These clump-forming herbaceous perennials present nectar and meals for butterflies and their larvae.

Swamp milkweed produces umbels of small, scented pink flowers from July till August. Swamp milkweed stems have a milky sap that may trigger pores and skin irritation.

22) Missouri Coneflower (Rudbeckia missouriensis)

Missouri coneflowers are a few of the Present-Me State’s showiest wildflowers. These herbaceous perennial flowers come from the daisy household. Missouri coneflowers develop in limestone glades inside the Ozark Mountains.

Missouri coneflowers have giant brilliant yellow flowers with a number of lengthy petals. The flowers even have darkish brown central florets. Missouri coneflowers bloom from June till October.

23) Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Virginia bluebells are a few of Missouri’s most stunning native woodland wildflowers. These bluebells come from the borage household (Boraginaceae). Virginia bluebells develop in moist, shady woodlands and floodplains throughout Missouri.

Virginia bluebells produce clusters of nodding trumpet-shaped flowers on arching stems. The unopened buds are pink however flip blue because the flowers open. These bluebells bloom from March till April.

24) Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Also referred to as bee balm, wild bergamot is a perennial wildflower from the mint household (Lamiaceae). Wild bergamot produces giant, crown-like clusters of aromatic tubular flowers from July till September.

Wild bergamot attracts many pollinators, together with bees and butterflies, due to its robust perfume. It grows in rocky woodlands and prairies throughout Missouri.

25) Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Also referred to as woodland phlox, wild blue phlox is a low-growing perennial from the Polemoniaceae household. Wild blue phlox has bluish-pink flowers with 5 petals. The flowers launch a pleasing perfume.

Wild blue phlox grows in moist deciduous woodlands and fields all through Missouri. Wild blue phlox additionally has lance-shaped leaves and furry, sticky stems.

26) Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Wild columbine is a lovely perennial wildflower from the buttercup household. Wild columbines are identified for his or her nodding bell-shaped brilliant pink flowers. Every tubular flower has 5 noticeable spurs on the rear and distinguished clusters of yellow stamens.

Wild columbine thrives on rocky woodland slopes throughout Missouri. The versatile stems even have three-pointed, fern-like leaves.

27) Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild geraniums are engaging herbaceous perennials from the Geraniaceae household. These clump-forming wildflowers thrive in moist, shady woodlands throughout Missouri. Wild geraniums flower between April and Could.

Wild geraniums have cup-shaped pinkish-purple flowers with 5 petals. The darkish inexperienced palmate leaves have both 5 or seven distinctive lobes. Wild geraniums develop greatest in Zones 3 to eight.

28) Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Regardless of its frequent title, wild ginger is unrelated to the ginger utilized in cooking. As an alternative, wild ginger is a herbaceous perennial from the birthwort household (Aristolochiaceae). It thrives in woodland areas and forested slopes all through Missouri.

Wild ginger has kidney-shaped leaves and grows in clumps. Wild ginger has purplish-brown flowers with three triangular sepals. The stems are furry, and the roots produce an identical scent to culinary ginger.

29) Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

Woodland sunflowers are perennial flowering herbs from the aster household. These sunflowers like dry, shady woodland habitats and are primarily present in jap Missouri. Woodland sunflowers bloom from July till September.

Woodland sunflowers produce brilliant yellow blooms with yellow central florets on the top of clean, upright stems. Every flower can develop as much as 2 inches large.

30) Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

Also referred to as clean hydrangeas, wild hydrangeas are deciduous flowering shrubs from the Hydrangeaceae household. Wild hydrangeas develop on rocky woodland slopes all through Missouri.

Wild hydrangeas have spherical, darkish inexperienced leaves and tall, upright stems. These hydrangeas produce flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers from June till September. Every flower cluster will be as much as 6 inches large.

Missouri Native Flowers FAQs:

Wrapping Up

Missouri’s numerous habitats present the right ecosystems for a surprising vary of flowers. All through the summer season, Missouri enjoys native wildflowers like black-eyed Susan and prairie coneflowers. Missouri’s woodland areas are house to wild columbines and wild geraniums. Missouri’s state wildflower is the gorgeous hawthorn blossom.

Edd is a budding content material author and gardener residing in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Inventive and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s captivated with nature and sustainability with a deal with gardening and wildlife.