Indian Bluffs State Preserve, Jones Co.
(by common name)


Explanatory Notes

COMMON NAME
SPECIES
FAMILY
ORIGIN
COMMENTS
PTERIDOPHYTES (FERNS & ALLIES)        
Bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller Dennstaedtiaceae native  
Bulblet bladder fern Cystopteris bulbifera (L.) Bernh. Aspleniaceae native Rocky bluffs and outcrops.
Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott Aspleniaceae native  
Common horsetail Equisetum arvense L. Equisetaceae native Stream bank, sandy floodplain opening.
Creeping fragile fern Cystopteris protrusa (Weath.) Blasdell Aspleniaceae native  
Dissected grape fern Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. dissectum Ophioglossaceae native Both forms usually found together.
Ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron (L.) Oakes ex DC. Aspleniaceae native Sandy open woods and thickets.
Goldies fern Dryopteris goldiana (Hooker) Gray Aspleniaceae native  
Interrupted fern Osmunda claytoniana L. Osmundaceae native Nice, large stands locally.
Maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum L. Adiantaceae native  
Narrow-leaved spleenwort Athyrium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Tidestrom [=Diplazium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Broun] Aspleniaceae native Lower slopes of rocky bluffs in rich soil, also along streams. Proposed as a special concern species in 1998.
Northern lady fern Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth var.angustum (Willd.) Moore Aspleniaceae native  
Oblique grape fern Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. obliquuum (Muhl.) Fern. Ophioglossaceae native Both forms usually found together.
Ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro var. pensyvanica (Willd.) Morton Aspleniaceae native Also growing in opening under electrical transmission lines.
Rattlesnake fern Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Ophioglossaceae native  
Scouring-rush Equisetum hyemale L. var. affine (Engelm.) A.A. Eaton Equisetaceae native Alluvial woods, riparian.
Sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis L. Aspleniaceae native  
Silvery spleenwort Athyrium thelypterioides (Michx.) Desv. [=Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M. Kato ined.] Aspleniaceae native Rich, wooded slopes.
Smooth cliff-brake Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn Adiantaceae native Infrequent, steep rock outcroppings, exposed rock in prarie/savanna area.
Spinulose wood fern Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs [=D. spinulosa (O.F. Muell.) Watt] Aspleniaceae native Base of bluff with northern orientation, rich woodland.
Walking fern Asplenium rhizophyllum L. [=Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link] Aspleniaceae native Very common on rocky bluffs and rock outcroppings.
         
GYMNOSPERMS (CONIFERS)        
American yew Taxus canadensis Marsh. Taxaceae native Limited to the rims of the larger bluffs where it is locally common.
Red cedar Juniperus virginiana L. Cupressaceae native  
         
ANGIOSPERMS: DICOTYLEDONS        
Agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala Wallr. Rosaceae native Open woods, Shrubby areas.
Alternate-leaved dogwood Cornus alternifolia L. f. Cornaceae native  
Alumroot Heuchera richardsonii R. Br. Saxifragaceae native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area.
Amaranth Amaranthus rudis Sauer Amaranthaceae native Riparian (sandbars).
American elm Ulmus americana L. Ulmaceae native  
Anise root Osmorhiza longistylis (Torrey) DC. Apiaceae native  
Appendaged waterleaf Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Michx. Hydrophyllaceae native Northern oriented slopes, under rock outcrops in rich, moist soil.
Aromatic aster Aster oblongifolius Nutt. Asteraceae native Open woods, bluff with southern orientation.
Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Elaeagnaceae e. Asia Sandy open soil under power lines, bluff tops, woodland edges; infrequent.
Basswood Tilia americana L. Tiliaceae native  
Beggar-ticks Bidens frondosa L. Asteraceae native Riparian.
Beggar-ticks Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae native Sandbars and mudflats.
Big-tooth aspen Populus grandidentata Michx. Salicaceae native Wooded slope by prairie/savanna.
Bindweed Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. Convolvulaceae native Usually in moist open alluvial soil.
Bird's-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus L. Fabaceae Europe Disturbed openings, pastures.
Bishop's cap Mitella diphylla L. Saxifragaceae native Common on the larger rock bluffs
Bitter cress Cardamine penslyvanica Muhl. ex Willd. Brassicaceae native Riparian.
Bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis (Wang.) K. Koch Juglandaceae native  
Black ash Fraxinus nigra Marsh. Oleaceae native Base and lower slopes of bluffs.
Black nightshade Solanum americanum P. Miller Solanaceae native Disturbed soil, riparian..
Black oak Quercus velutina Lam. Fagaceae native Uplands.
Black raspberry Rubus occidentalis L. Rosaceae native  
Black snakeroot Sanicula canadensis L. Apiaceae native  
Black walnut Juglans nigra L. Juglandaceae native  
Black willow Salix nigra Marsh. Salicaceae native Alluvial woodland.
Blackberry Rubus allegheniensis Porter ex Bailey Rosaceae native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta L. Asteraceae native Pastured openings in woodland, and prairie/savanna area.
Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia L. Staphyleaceae native Locally common, forming thickets on rocky slopes and bluffs.
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis L. Papaveraceae native  
Blue beech Carpinus caroliniana Walter Betulaceae native Infrequent to locally common.
Blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Berberidaceae native Rich woodland, also under electric transmission line.
Blue lettuce Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertner Asteraceae native Woodland edges.
Blue Verbain Verbena hastata L. Verbenaceae native Alluvium.
Blue wood aster Aster cordifolius L. [=A.cordifolius L. var. sagittifolius (Wedem. ex Willd.) A.G. Jones] Asteraceae native Upland woods and bluffs.
Bog hemp Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw. Urticaceae native  
Bouncing bet Saponaria officinalis L. Caryophyllaceae Eurasia cult. Sandy, disturbed soil.
Box elder Acer negundo L. Aceraceae native  
Brown-eyed Susan Rudbeckia triloba L. Asteraceae native  
Buckhorn or English plantain Plantago lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae Eurasia Disturbed sandy soil.
Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Asteraceae Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Bur marigold Bidens cernua L. Asteraceae native Riparian.
Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa Michx. Fagaceae native Uplands.
Burdock Arctium minus Bernh. Asteraceae Eurasia Open disturbed sandy soil, riparian..
Butternut Juglans cinerea L. Juglandaceae native  
Canada anemone Anemone canadensis L. Ranunculaceae native Moist soil.
Canada thistle Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Asteraceae Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Carpet weed Mollugo verticillata L. Aizoaceae Trop. Amer. Moist, disturbed sand.
Chervil Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz Apiaceae native Occasional to abundant especially on alluvial soil.
Chinquapin or chestnut oak Quercus muhlenbergii Engelm. Fagaceae native On upper portion of bluffs with southern exposure.
Choke cherry Prunus virginiana L. Rosaceae native  
Clammy ground cherry Physalis heterophylla Nees Solanaceae native Sandy, deserted agr. ground.
Clammy-weed Polanisia dodecandra (L.) DC. Capparaceae native Disturbed sandy soil.
Clearweed Pilea pumila (L.) Gray Urticaceae native  
Cleavers Galium aparine L. Rubiaceae native  
Cockspur hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli L. Rosaceae native Alluvial woodland
Columbine Aquilegia canadensis L. Ranunculaceae native Usually on rock outcrops.
Common blue violet Viola pratincola Greene Violaceae native Woodland openings.
Common chickweed Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Caryophyllaceae native Areas disturbed by moving water
Common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex Michx. Rosaceae native Sandy pastured areas and prairie/savanna area.
Common dodder Cuscuta gronovii Willd. Convolvulaceae native Alluvial woods, growing on Laportea canadensis.
Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca L. Asclepiadaceae native Open areas of light disturbance.
Common mullein Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae Europe Rare on rock outcrop, and old field.
Common plantain Plantago rugelii Dcne. Plantaginaceae native  
Common ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Asteraceae native  
Common smartweed Polygonum hydropiper L. Polygonaceae native Woodland.
Common snakeroot Sanicula gregaria Bickn. Apiaceae native  
Common sow thistle Sonchus oleraceus L. Asteraceae Europe Opening for electric transmission lines.
Common stitchwort Stellaria graminea L. Caryophyllaceae Europe Quite common in floodplain pastures with no canopy, less common in woodland edge.
Compass plant Silphium laciniatum L. Asteraceae native Relict prairie.
Cottonwood Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh. Salicaceae native Alluvial floodplain.
Cranesbill Geranium carolinianum L. Geraniaceae native Sandy pastured open areas.
Creeping Charlie Glechoma hederacea L. Lamiaceae Eurasia Areas of disturbance, riparian.
Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw. Scrophulariaceae native Open woods.
Cup plant Silphium perfoliatum L. Asteraceae native Alluvial soil
Curly dock Rumex crispus L. Polygonaceae Europe Sandy pastures.
Cursed crowfoot Ranunculus sceleratus L. Ranunculaceae native Riparian.
Cut-leaf evening-primrose Oenothera laciniata Hill Onagraceae native Disturbed sandy soil.
Daisy fleabane Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae native Openings
Dame's rocket Hesperis matronalis L. Brassicaceae Eurasia Quite frequent on edges of flood plain and some moist alluvial openings where it has established itself quite nicely..
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Weber Asteraceae Eurasia  
Deptford pink Dianthus armeria L. Caryophyllaceae Europe Open areas in sandy soil.
Dewberry Rubus steelei L.H. Bailey Rosaceae native Rocky prairie remnant, prairie/savanna area.
Dock Rumex mexicanus Meisner Polygonaceae native Open area, with prairie grasses under transmission line.
Dock-leaved smartweed Polygonum lapathifolium L. Polygonaceae native Riparian.
Dodder Cuscuta cuspidata Engelm. Convolvulaceae native Alluvial woods, growing on Aster ontarionis.
Dodder Cuscuta indecora Choisy Convolvulaceae native Listed as special concern by Iowa DNR. Sandy soil on high river terrace. Growing on Solidago, Ambrosia trifida, etc.
Dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria (L.) Bernh. Papaveraceae native  
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis L. Caprifoliaceae native  
Elm-leaved goldenrod Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae native  
Enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Ascherson & Magnus Onagraceae native  
Everlasting Gnaphalium obtusifolium L. Asteraceae native Sandy openings.
False buckwheat Polygonum scandens L. Polygonaceae native Woodland edges.
False dandelion Krigia biflora (Walter) Blake Asteraceae native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area.
False dragonhead Physostegia parviflora Nutt. ex Gray Lamiaceae native Riparian.
False gromwell Onosmodium molle Michx. Boraginaceae native Prairie/savanna area, rare.
False pimpernel Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell Scrophulariaceae native Mud flats and sand bars, riparian.
False rue anemone Isopyrum biternatum (Raf.) T. & G. Ranunculaceae native Carpeting the lower slopes of the bluffs almost exclusively, down to the floodplains.
Field cress Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. Brassicaceae Europe Sandy pastured areas.
Field penny cress Thlaspi arvense L. Brassicaceae Europe Rare on southern oriented bluff with disturbance.
Field thistle Cirsium discolor Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae native Open ground under electric transmission lines, old field.
Figwort Scrophularia lanceolata Pursh Scrophulariaceae native Rare along river, and sandy pasture.
Figwort Scrophularia marilandica L. Scrophulariaceae native Especially common in clearing under electrical transmission lines.
Fireweed Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC. Asteraceae native Under power lines.
Fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus L. Asteraceae native Riparian.
Flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata Engelm. Euphorbiaceae native Sandy open ground, Prairie relict.
Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande Brassicaceae Europe Most common along river, following alluvial soil inland. Although absent from some areas, on a whole very well established throughout Preserve.
Germander Teucrium canadense L. Lamiaceae native Woodland openings.
Giant chickweed Myosoton aquaticum Moench Caryophyllaceae Europe  
Giant ragweed Ambrosia trifida L. Asteraceae native  
Giant St. John's wort Hypericum pyramidatum Aiton Hypericaceae native Plants noted in pasture next to woodland, and other open areas.
Ginseng Panax quinquefolia L. Araliaceae native Infrequent, rich soil below northern oriented bluffs.
Gooseberry Ribes missouriensis Nutt. ex T. & G. Saxifragaceae native  
Gray dogwood Cornus foemina P. Miller ssp. racemosa (Lam.) J.S. Wilson Cornaceae native Woodland edges.
Gray evening primrose Oenothera villosa Thunb. Onagraceae native Riparian.
Gray-headed coneflower Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh. Asteraceae native Prairie/savanna, Prairie relict.
Great indian plantain Cacalia muhlenbergii (Sch.-Bip.) Fern. Asteraceae native  
Great lobelia Lobelia siphilitica L. Campanulaceae native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Green ash Fraxinus pennsyvanica Marsh. var. lanceolata (Borkh.) Sarg. Oleaceae native Floodplain.
Ground-nut Apios americana Medicus Fabaceae native  
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis L. Ulmaceae native  
Hairy aster Aster pilosus Willd. Asteraceae native Sandy opening.
Hairy blue violet Viola sororia Willd. Violaceae native  
Hairy puccoon Lithospermum caroliniense (Walter) MacM. Boraginaceae native Sandy, open pastures.
Harebell Campanula rotundifolia L. Campanulaceae native Crevices and tops of steep stone bluffs, also exposed rock in prairie/savanna area.
Hawthorn Crataegus punctata Jacq. Rosaceae native Foodplain, and edges of woods.
Hawthorn Crataegus succulenta Schrader ex Link Rosaceae native Floodplain
Hawthorne Crataegus margaretta Ashe Rosaceae native Upland woods.
Hazelnut Corylus americana Walter Betulaceae native  
Heath aster Aster ericoides L. Asteraceae native Woodland edge, dry soil.
Hedge mustard Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. Brassicaceae Eurasia Opening under electric transmission lines.
Hedge nettle Stachys tenuifolia Willd. var. hispida (Pursh) Fern. Lamiaceae native Riparian.
Hemp, Marijuana Cannabis sativa L. Moraceae Eurasia Uncommon, areas of disturbance.
Hepatica Hepatica nobilis P. Miller var. acuta (Pursh) Steyerm. Ranunculaceae native  
Hill's oak Quercus ellipsoidalis E.J. Hill Fagaceae native  
Hoary Vervain Verbena stricta Vent. Verbenaceae native Sandy open soil.
Hog peanut Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern. Fabaceae native  
Honewort Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. Apiaceae native  
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos L. Fabaceae native  
Hooked buttercup Ranunculus recurvatus Poiret Ranunculaceae native Bluff tops, rich woodland.
Horse gentian Triosteum aurantiacum Bickn. Caprifoliaceae native Open, southern-oriented bluff, and open woods.
Horse nettle Solanum carolinense L. Solanaceae native Disturbed sandy areas.
Horseweed Conza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Asteraceae native  
Indian hemp Apocynum cannabinum L. Apocynaceae native  
Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccinea (L.) Sprengel Scrophulariaceae native Sandy soil of prairie/savanna area.
Indian pipe Monotropa uniflora L. Ericaceae native Rich upland woods.
Indian tobacco Lobelia inflata L. Campanulaceae native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Ironwood Ostrya virginiana (P. Miller) K. Koch Betulaceae native  
Jacob's ladder Polemonium reptans L. Polemoniaceae native  
Jewelweed Impatiens capensis Meerb. Balsaminaceae native Riparian.
Jumpseed Polygonum virginianum L. Polygonaceae native  
Knotweed Polygonum achoreum Blake Polygonaceae native Disturbed sandy soil.
Knotweed Polygonum erectum L. Polygonaceae native Disturbed soil.
Ladies' tobacco Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Richardson Asteraceae native Top of bluffs with southern exposure, savanna like areas, and pastured areas.
Lady's thumb Polygonum persicaria L. Polygonaceae Europe Along river bank.
Lamb's quarters Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Eurasia Rock bluffs, sandy soil.
Leadplant Amorpha canescens Pursh Fabaceae native Relict prairie.
Leatherwood Dirca palustris L. Thymelaeaceae native Small, scattered groves at the base of bluffs
Lopseed Phryma leptostachya L. Phrymaceae native  
Low bindweed Calystegia spithamaea (L.) Pursh Convolvulaceae native Sandy soil of prairie/savanna area. Very common locally.
Mad-dog skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora L. Lamiaceae native Riparian.
Maple-leaved goosefoot Chenopodium hybridum L. Chenopodiaceae native Open areas under electric transmission lines.