The stiff straw stays erect and dominant on road cuts during winter; provides cover for
wildlife.
indicator status FACU
habitat Old fields, hillsides, and open ground with dry, infertile soils; pH
4.9-7.0.
characteristics A short warm season bunch grass; grows from 18”-3’ tall; 14” minimum root depth; full
sun; high drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from August to October; straw colored
through winter.
Native
Herbaceous Perennial
Aquilegia canadensis
eastern columbine
One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring; the nectar attracts
hummingbirds.
indicator statusFAC
habitat Cliffs, rocky slopes, and dry woods; usually calcareous; pH
5.0-8.0.
characteristics A flowering species; grows to 2’ tall; shade
tolerant; blooms from April to June; red and yellow flowers have yellow stamens.
Native
Herbaceous
Perennial
Asclepias incarnata
swamp milkweed
A
decorative species; provides essential food for monarch butterfly
caterpillars.
characteristics A rhizomatous flowering species; grows to 5’ tall; 18” minimum root depth; full sun;
no drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from June to August; pale purple to greenish white
flowers.
Native
Herbaceous Perennial
Asclepias tuberosa
butterfly
milkweed
A decorative species; provides essential food for monarch butterfly
caterpillars.
characteristics A multiple-stemmed flowering species with
underground tubers; grows from 1’-3’ tall; 16” minimum root depth; full sun; high drought
tolerance; no salt tolerance; grows best in well-drained soils; blooms from June to August; very
attractive, showy yellow, red, or orange flowers.