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

Explanatory Notes

FAMILY
SPECIES
COMMON NAME
ORIGIN
COMMENTS
PTERIDOPHYTES (FERNS & ALLIES)        
Adiantaceae Adiantum pedatum L. Maidenhair fern native  
Adiantaceae Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn Smooth cliff-brake native Infrequent, steep rock outcroppings, exposed rock in prarie/savanna area.
Aspleniaceae Asplenium platyneuron (L.) Oakes ex DC. Ebony spleenwort native Sandy open woods and thickets.
Aspleniaceae Asplenium rhizophyllum L. [=Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link] Walking fern native Very common on rocky bluffs and rock outcroppings.
Aspleniaceae Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth var.angustum (Willd.) Moore Northern lady fern native  
Aspleniaceae Athyrium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Tidestrom [=Diplazium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Broun] Narrow-leaved spleenwort native Lower slopes of rocky bluffs in rich soil, also along streams. Proposed as a special concern species in 1998.
Aspleniaceae Athyrium thelypterioides (Michx.) Desv. [=Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M. Kato ined.] Silvery spleenwort native Rich, wooded slopes.
Aspleniaceae Cystopteris bulbifera (L.) Bernh. Bulblet bladder fern native Rocky bluffs and outcrops.
Aspleniaceae Cystopteris protrusa (Weath.) Blasdell Creeping fragile fern native  
Aspleniaceae Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs [=D. spinulosa (O.F. Muell.) Watt] Spinulose wood fern native Base of bluff with northern orientation, rich woodland.
Aspleniaceae Dryopteris goldiana (Hooker) Gray Goldies fern native  
Aspleniaceae Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro var. pensyvanica (Willd.) Morton Ostrich fern native Also growing in opening under electrical transmission lines.
Aspleniaceae Onoclea sensibilis L. Sensitive fern native  
Aspleniaceae Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott Christmas fern native  
Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller Bracken fern native  
Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail native Stream bank, sandy floodplain opening.
Equisetaceae Equisetum hyemale L. var. affine (Engelm.) A.A. Eaton Scouring-rush native Alluvial woods, riparian.
Ophioglossaceae Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. dissectum Dissected grape fern native Both forms usually found together.
Ophioglossaceae Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. obliquuum (Muhl.) Fern. Oblique grape fern native Both forms usually found together.
Ophioglossaceae Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Rattlesnake fern native  
Osmundaceae Osmunda claytoniana L. Interrupted fern native Nice, large stands locally.
         
GYMNOSPERMS (CONIFERS)        
Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana L. Red cedar native  
Taxaceae Taxus canadensis Marsh. American yew native Limited to the rims of the larger bluffs where it is locally common.
         
ANGIOSPERMS: DICOTYLEDONS        
Acanthaceae Ruellia humilis Nutt. Wild petunia native Sandy open areas, not common.
Aceraceae Acer negundo L. Box elder native  
Aceraceae Acer saccharinum L. Silver maple native Major componant of the floodplains.
Aceraceae Acer saccharum Marsh. Sugar maple native Common in rich uplands.
Aizoaceae Mollugo verticillata L. Carpet weed Trop. Amer. Moist, disturbed sand.
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus rudis Sauer Amaranth native Riparian (sandbars).
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer Water hemp native Riparian.
Anacardiaceae Rhus glabra L. Smooth sumac native Thickets in prairie/savanna area.
Anacardiaceae Rhus typhina L. Staghorn sumac native Sandy clearings along river under power lines.
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze Poison ivy native It is possible that T. rydbergii also occurs at this site, but the species were not segregated.
Apiaceae Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz Chervil native Occasional to abundant especially on alluvial soil.
Apiaceae Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. Honewort native  
Apiaceae Daucus carota L. Queen Anne's lace Eurasia Rare.
Apiaceae Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) C.B. Clarke Sweet cicely native  
Apiaceae Osmorhiza longistylis (Torrey) DC. Anise root native  
Apiaceae Sanicula canadensis L. Black snakeroot native  
Apiaceae Sanicula gregaria Bickn. Common snakeroot native  
Apiaceae Thaspium barbinode (Michx.) Nutt. Meadow parsnip native Somewhat riparian.
Apocynaceae Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Spreading dogbane native Woodland openings and prairie/savanna area.
Apocynaceae Apocynum cannabinum L. Indian Hemp native  
Araliaceae Aralia racemosa L. Spikenard native Infrequent, sheltered areas of northern oriented bluffs.
Araliaceae Panax quinquefolia L. Ginseng native Infrequent, rich soil below northern oriented bluffs.
Aristolochiaceae Asarum canadense L. Wild ginger native  
Asclepiadaceae Asclepias exaltata L. Poke milkweed native Open upland woods.
Asclepiadaceae Asclepias incarnata L. Swamp milkweed native Rare, sandy alluvium.
Asclepiadaceae Asclepias syriaca L. Common milkweed native Open areas of light disturbance.
Asclepiadaceae Asclepias verticillata L. Whorled milkweed native Open areas, not common.
Asteraceae Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow native Sandy openings in woods, and pastured areas.
Asteraceae Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Common ragweed native  
Asteraceae Ambrosia trifida L. Giant ragweed native  
Asteraceae Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Richardson Ladies' tobacco native Top of bluffs with southern exposure, savanna like areas, and pastured areas.
Asteraceae Arctium minus Bernh. Burdock Eurasia Open disturbed sandy soil, riparian..
Asteraceae Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. incl. var. gnaphalodes (Nutt.) T&G White sage native Generally found along river banks, and in clearings under high voltage power lines, the var. gnaphalodes however is confined to a sandy pastured area in the SE section.
Asteraceae Aster cordifolius L. [=A.cordifolius L. var. sagittifolius (Wedem. ex Willd.) A.G. Jones] Blue wood aster native Upland woods and bluffs.
Asteraceae Aster ericoides L. Heath aster native Woodland edge, dry soil.
Asteraceae Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton Side-flowered aster native Woodland edge, dry soil.
Asteraceae Aster oblongifolius Nutt. Aromatic aster native Open woods, bluff with southern orientation.
Asteraceae Aster ontarionis Wieg. Ontario aster native Frequently seen on floodplain.
Asteraceae Aster pilosus Willd. Hairy aster native Sandy opening.
Asteraceae Aster shortii Lindley Short's aster native Bluffs.
Asteraceae Bidens cernua L. Bur marigold native Riparian.
Asteraceae Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. Beggar-ticks native Sandbars and mudflats.
Asteraceae Bidens frondosa L. Beggar-ticks native Riparian.
Asteraceae Cacalia muhlenbergii (Sch.-Bip.) Fern. Great indian plantain native  
Asteraceae Carduus nutans L. Musk thistle Europe  
Asteraceae Cirsium altissimum (L.) Sprengel Tall thistle native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Asteraceae Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Asteraceae Cirsium discolor Muhl. ex Willd. Field thistle native Open ground under electric transmission lines, old field.
Asteraceae Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Bull thistle Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Asteraceae Conza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Horseweed native  
Asteraceae Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC. Fireweed native Under power lines.
Asteraceae Erigeron philadelphicus L. Fleabane native Riparian.
Asteraceae Erigeron pulchellus Michx. Robin's plantain native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area. Also pastured bluff.
Asteraceae Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. Daisy fleabane native Openings
Asteraceae Eupatorium altissimum L. Tall thoroughwort native Sandy soil in clearing under power lines.
Asteraceae Eupatorium purpureum L. Purple joe-pye-weed native  
Asteraceae Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. White snakeroot native  
Asteraceae Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon Quickweed C&S. Amer. Extremely disturbed soil.
Asteraceae Gnaphalium obtusifolium L. Everlasting native Sandy openings.
Asteraceae Helenium autumnale L. Sneezeweed native Riparian.
Asteraceae Helianthus giganteus L. Tall sunflower native Woodland edges.
Asteraceae Helianthus grosseserratus Martens Sawtooth sunflower native Sandy, alluvial opening.
Asteraceae Helianthus strumosus L. Pale-leaved sunflower native Woodland edges.
Asteraceae Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet Ox-eye, false sunflower native Prairie/savanna, openings in woodland.
Asteraceae Krigia biflora (Walter) Blake False dandelion native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area.
Asteraceae Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fern. Tall blue lettuce native Rare in this part of state, specimen should have been secured.
Asteraceae Lactuca canadensis L. Tall lettuce native Clearings.
Asteraceae Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertner Blue lettuce native Woodland edges.
Asteraceae Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh. Gray-headed coneflower native Prairie/savanna, Prairie relict.
Asteraceae Rudbeckia hirta L. Black-eyed Susan native Pastured openings in woodland, and prairie/savanna area.
Asteraceae Rudbeckia laciniata L. Tall coneflower native Alluvial soil.
Asteraceae Rudbeckia triloba L. Brown-eyed Susan native  
Asteraceae Senecio pauperculus Michx. Prairie ragwort native Sandy opening in woods, former agricultural use highly probible.
Asteraceae Silphium laciniatum L. Compass plant native Relict prairie.
Asteraceae Silphium perfoliatum L. Cup plant native Alluvial soil
Asteraceae Solidago canadensis L. var. canadensis Tall goldenrod native Openings.
Asteraceae Solidago flexicaulis L. Zig-zag goldenrod native Bluffs and rich woods.
Asteraceae Solidago gigantea Aiton Smooth goldenrod native Woodland edge.
Asteraceae Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. Elm-leaved goldenrod native  
Asteraceae Sonchus oleraceus L. Common sow thistle Europe Opening for electric transmission lines.
Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Weber Dandelion Eurasia  
Asteraceae Veronia fasciculata Michx. Smooth ironweed native Sandy pasture.
Balsaminaceae Impatiens capensis Meerb. Jewelweed native Riparian.
Balsaminaceae Impatiens pallida Nutt. Yellow jewel weed native  
Berberidaceae Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Blue cohosh native Rich woodland, also under electric transmission line.
Berberidaceae Podophyllum peltatum L. Mayapple native  
Betulaceae Betula nigra L. River birch native Riparian.
Betulaceae Carpinus caroliniana Walter Blue beech native Infrequent to locally common.
Betulaceae Corylus americana Walter Hazelnut native  
Betulaceae Ostrya virginiana (P. Miller) K. Koch Ironwood native  
Boraginaceae Hackelia deflexa (Wahl.) Opiz Stickseed native  
Boraginaceae Lithospermum caroliniense (Walter) MacM. Hairy puccoon native Sandy, open pastures.
Boraginaceae Onosmodium molle Michx. False gromwell native Prairie/savanna area, rare.
Brassicaceae Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande Garlic mustard Europe Most common along river, following alluvial soil inland. Although absent from some areas, on a whole very well established throughout Preserve.
Brassicaceae Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh. Tower mustard native Sandy pastured areas.
Brassicaceae Arabis laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Poiret Rock cress native Frequently seen in areas of exposed bedrock, on outcrops of rock and shallow soil.
Brassicaceae Arabis shortii (Fern.) Gl. Rock cress native Frequently seen, rock bluffs and outcrops, alluvial soil.
Brassicaceae Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Yellow rocket Eurasia Infrequent.
Brassicaceae Cardamine penslyvanica Muhl. ex Willd. Bitter cress native Riparian.
Brassicaceae Dentatia laciniata Muhl. ex Willd. Toothwort native  
Brassicaceae Hesperis matronalis L. Dame's rocket Eurasia Quite frequent on edges of flood plain and some moist alluvial openings where it has established itself quite nicely..
Brassicaceae Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. Field cress Europe Sandy pastured areas.
Brassicaceae Lepidium virginicum L. Poor-man's pepper native Along river bank. Sandy openings.
Brassicaceae Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser Yellow cress native Intermittent wet areas.
Brassicaceae Sisymbrium altissimum L. Tumble mustard native Disturbed sandy soil, undoubtably more common than noted.
Brassicaceae Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. Hedge mustard Eurasia Opening under electric transmission lines.
Brassicaceae Thlaspi arvense L. Field penny cress Europe Rare on southern oriented bluff with disturbance.
Capparaceae Polanisia dodecandra (L.) DC. Clammy-weed native Disturbed sandy soil.
Campanulaceae Campanula americana L. Tall bellflower native  
Campanulaceae Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell native Crevices and tops of steep stone bluffs, also exposed rock in prairie/savanna area.
Campanulaceae Lobelia inflata L. Indian tobacco native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Campanulaceae Lobelia siphilitica L. Great lobelia native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Campanulaceae Lobelia spicata Lam. Pale-spike lobelia native Sandy pastures and prairie/savanna area.
Campanulaceae Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuw. Venus' looking-glass native Open woods and clearings.
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera dioca L. var.glabrescens (Rydb.) Butters Wild honeysuckle native  
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera morrowii Gray Morrow's honeysuckle Japan Edge of pastured woodland.
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera prolifera (Kirchner) Rehder Wild honeysuckle native  
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera tatarica L. Tararica honeysuckle Eurasia This introduction is not as rampant here, as it sometimes is elsewhere.
Caprifoliaceae Sambucus canadensis L. Elderberry native  
Caprifoliaceae Triosteum aurantiacum Bickn. Horse gentian native Open, southern-oriented bluff, and open woods.
Caryophyllaceae Cerastium nutans Raf. Nodding chickweed native Exposed hilltops and alluvial valleys.
Caryophyllaceae Dianthus armeria L. Deptford pink Europe Open areas in sandy soil.
Caryophyllaceae Myosoton aquaticum Moench Giant chickweed Europe  
Caryophyllaceae Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncing bet Eurasia cult. Sandy, disturbed soil.
Caryophyllaceae Silene antirrhina L. Sleepy catchfly Europe Sandy old agr. area.
Caryophyllaceae Silene pratensis (Rafn) Gren. & Godron [=Lychnis alba P. Miller] White campion Europe Sandy pastured areas and openings, rock outcrops, infrequent.
Caryophyllaceae Stellaria graminea L. Common stitchwort Europe Quite common in floodplain pastures with no canopy, less common in woodland edge.
Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Common chickweed native Areas disturbed by moving water
Celastraceae Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. Wahoo native Upland woods and bluffs, likely more widespread than noted.
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album L. Lamb's quarters Eurasia Rock bluffs, sandy soil.
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium hybridum L. Maple-leaved goosefoot native Open areas under electric transmission lines.
Convolvulaceae Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. Bindweed native Usually in moist open alluvial soil.
Convolvulaceae Calystegia spithamaea (L.) Pursh Low bindweed native Sandy soil of prairie/savanna area. Very common locally.
Convolvulaceae Cuscuta cuspidata Engelm. Dodder native Alluvial woods, growing on Aster ontarionis.
Convolvulaceae Cuscuta gronovii Willd. Common dodder native Alluvial woods, growing on Laportea canadensis.
Convolvulaceae Cuscuta indecora Choisy Dodder native Listed as special concern by Iowa DNR. Sandy soil on high river terrace. Growing on Solidago, Ambrosia trifida, etc.
Cornaceae Cornus alternifolia L. f. Alternate-leaved dogwood native  
Cornaceae Cornus drummondii C.A. Meyer Rough-leaved dogwood native Alluvial ground along stream.
Cornaceae Cornus foemina P. Miller ssp. racemosa (Lam.) J.S. Wilson Gray dogwood native Woodland edges.
Cucurbitaceae Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) T. & G. Wild cucumber native Open areas under electric transmission lines and riparian.
Elaeagnaceae Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Autumn olive e. Asia Sandy open soil under power lines, bluff tops, woodland edges; infrequent.
Ericaceae Monotropa uniflora L. Indian pipe native Rich upland woods.
Ericaceae Pyrola elliptica Nutt. Shinleaf native North orientation on wooded ravine by prairie/savanna.
Euphorbiaceae Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. Three-seeded mercury native Riparian, sandbars.
Euphorbiaceae Acalypha virginica L. Three-seeded mercury native Bluff top.
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia corollata Engelm. Flowering spurge native Sandy open ground, Prairie relict.
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia cyathophora Murray Wild poinsettia native Sandy openings and river banks.
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hexagona Nutt. ex Sprengel Six-angled spurge native Sandy river banks.
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia maculata L. spotted spurge native Sandy soil, river banks.
Fabaceae Amorpha canescens Pursh Leadplant native Relict prairie.
Fabaceae Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern. Hog peanut native  
Fabaceae Apios americana Medicus Ground-nut native  
Fabaceae Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. Showy tick-trefoil native  
Fabaceae Desmodium glutinosum (Muhl. ex Willd.) Wood Pointed tick-trefoil native  
Fabaceae Gleditsia triacanthos L. Honey locust native  
Fabaceae Lespedeza capitata Michx. Round-headed bush clover native Sandy pastures and prairie/savanna area.
Fabaceae Lotus corniculatus L. Bird's-foot trefoil Europe Disturbed openings, pastures.
Fabaceae Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas Yellow sweet clover Eurasia Disturbed soil of river bank.
Fagaceae Quercus alba L. White oak native  
Fagaceae Quercus bicolor Willd. Swamp white oak native Floodplain.
Fagaceae Quercus borealis Michx. f. var. maxima (Marsh.) Ashe [=Quercus rubra L.]