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

Explanatory Notes

SPECIES
FAMILY
COMMON NAME
ORIGIN
COMMENTS
PTERIDOPHYTES (FERNS & ALLIES)        
Adiantum pedatum L. Adiantaceae Maidenhair fern native  
Asplenium platyneuron (L.) Oakes ex DC. Aspleniaceae Ebony spleenwort native Sandy open woods and thickets.
Asplenium rhizophyllum L. [=Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link] Aspleniaceae Walking fern native Very common on rocky bluffs and rock outcroppings.
Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth var.angustum (Willd.) Moore Aspleniaceae Northern lady fern native  
Athyrium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Tidestrom [=Diplazium pycnocarpon (Sprengel) Broun] Aspleniaceae Narrow-leaved spleenwort native Lower slopes of rocky bluffs in rich soil, also along streams. Proposed as a special concern species in 1998.
Athyrium thelypterioides (Michx.) Desv. [=Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M. Kato ined.] Aspleniaceae Silvery spleenwort native Rich, wooded slopes.
Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. obliquum (Muhl.) Fern. Ophioglossaceae Oblique grape fern native Both forms usually found together.
Botrychium dissectum Sprengel f. dissectum Ophioglossaceae Dissected grape fern native Both forms usually found together.
Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Ophioglossaceae Rattlesnake fern native  
Cystopteris bulbifera (L.) Bernh. Aspleniaceae Bulblet bladder fern native Rocky bluffs and outcrops.
Cystopteris protrusa (Weath.) Blasdell Aspleniaceae Creeping fragile fern native  
Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs [=D. spinulosa (O.F. Muell.) Watt] Aspleniaceae Spinulose wood fern native Base of bluff with northern orientation, rich woodland.
Dryopteris goldiana (Hooker) Gray Aspleniaceae Goldies fern native  
Equisetum arvense L. Equisetaceae Common horsetail native Stream bank, sandy floodplain opening.
Equisetum hyemale L. var. affine (Engelm.) A.A. Eaton Equisetaceae Scouring-rush native Alluvial woods, riparian.
Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro var. pensyvanica (Willd.) Morton Aspleniaceae Ostrich fern native Also growing in opening under electrical transmission lines.
Onoclea sensibilis L. Aspleniaceae Sensitive fern native  
Osmunda claytoniana L. Osmundaceae Interrupted fern native Nice, large stands locally.
Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn Adiantaceae Smooth cliff-brake native Infrequent, steep rock outcroppings, exposed rock in prarie/savanna area.
Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott Aspleniaceae Christmas fern native  
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken fern native  
         
GYMNOSPERMS (CONIFERS)        
Juniperus virginiana L. Cupressaceae Red cedar native  
Taxus canadensis Marsh. Taxaceae American yew native Limited to the rims of the larger bluffs where it is locally common.
         
ANGIOSPERMS: DICOTYLEDONS        
Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. Euphorbiaceae Three-seeded mercury native Riparian, sandbars.
Acalypha virginica L. Euphorbiaceae Three-seeded mercury native Bluff top.
Acer negundo L. Aceraceae Box elder native  
Acer saccharinum L. Aceraceae Silver maple native Major componant of the floodplains.
Acer saccharum Marsh. Aceraceae Sugar maple native Common in rich uplands.
Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae Yarrow native Sandy openings in woods, and pastured areas.
Actaea pachypoda Ell. Ranunculaceae White baneberry native  
Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze Lamiaceae Yellow giant-hyssop native  
Agastache scrophulariifolia (Willd.) Kuntze Lamiaceae Purple giant-hyssop native  
Agrimonia gryposepala Wallr. Rosaceae Agrimony native Open woods, Shrubby areas.
Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande Brassicaceae Garlic mustard Europe Most common along river, following alluvial soil inland. Although absent from some areas, on a whole very well established throughout Preserve.
Amaranthus rudis Sauer Amaranthaceae Amaranth native Riparian (sandbars).
Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer Amaranthaceae Water hemp native Riparian.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Asteraceae Common ragweed native  
Ambrosia trifida L. Asteraceae Giant ragweed native  
Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fern. Rosaceae Serviceberry native  
Amorpha canescens Pursh Fabaceae Leadplant native Relict prairie.
Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern. Fabaceae Hog peanut native  
Anemone canadensis L. Ranunculaceae Canada anemone native Moist soil.
Anemone quinquefolia L. Ranunculaceae Wood anemone native Moist slopes and floodplains.
Anemone virginiana L. Ranunculaceae Tall anemone native  
Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Richardson Asteraceae Ladies' tobacco native Top of bluffs with southern exposure, savanna like areas, and pastured areas.
Apios americana Medicus Fabaceae Ground-nut native  
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Apocynaceae Spreading dogbane native Woodland openings and prairie/savanna area.
Apocynum cannabinum L. Apocynaceae Indian hemp native  
Aquilegia canadensis L. Ranunculaceae Columbine native Usually on rock outcrops.
Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh. Brassicaceae Tower mustard native Sandy pastured areas.
Arabis laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Poiret Brassicaceae Rock cress native Frequently seen in areas of exposed bedrock, on outcrops of rock and shallow soil.
Arabis shortii (Fern.) Gl. Brassicaceae Rock cress native Frequently seen, rock bluffs and outcrops, alluvial soil.
Aralia racemosa L. Araliaceae Spikenard native Infrequent, sheltered areas of northern oriented bluffs.
Arctium minus Bernh. Asteraceae Burdock Eurasia Open disturbed sandy soil, riparian..
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. incl. var. gnaphalodes (Nutt.) T&G Asteraceae 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.
Asarum canadense L. Aristolochiaceae Wild ginger native  
Asclepias exaltata L. Asclepiadaceae Poke milkweed native Open upland woods.
Asclepias incarnata L. Asclepiadaceae Swamp milkweed native Rare, sandy alluvium.
Asclepias syriaca L. Asclepiadaceae Common milkweed native Open areas of light disturbance.
Asclepias verticillata L. Asclepiadaceae Whorled milkweed native Open areas, not common.
Aster cordifolius L. [=A.cordifolius L. var. sagittifolius (Wedem. ex Willd.) A.G. Jones] Asteraceae Blue wood aster native Upland woods and bluffs.
Aster ericoides L. Asteraceae Heath aster native Woodland edge, dry soil.
Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton Asteraceae Side-flowered aster native Woodland edge, dry soil.
Aster oblongifolius Nutt. Asteraceae Aromatic aster native Open woods, bluff with southern orientation.
Aster ontarionis Wieg. Asteraceae Ontario aster native Frequently seen on floodplain.
Aster pilosus Willd. Asteraceae Hairy aster native Sandy opening.
Aster shortii Lindley Asteraceae Short's aster native Bluffs.
Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Brassicaceae Yellow rocket Eurasia Infrequent.
Betula nigra L. Betulaceae River birch native Riparian.
Bidens cernua L. Asteraceae Bur marigold native Riparian.
Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae Beggar-ticks native Sandbars and mudflats.
Bidens frondosa L. Asteraceae Beggar-ticks native Riparian.
Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Bentham Lamiaceae Woodmint native Common in moist woodland, usually along drainage areas.
Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw. Urticaceae Bog hemp native  
Cacalia muhlenbergii (Sch.-Bip.) Fern. Asteraceae Great indian plantain native  
Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. Convolvulaceae Bindweed native Usually in moist open alluvial soil.
Calystegia spithamaea (L.) Pursh Convolvulaceae Low bindweed native Sandy soil of prairie/savanna area. Very common locally.
Campanula americana L. Campanulaceae Tall bellflower native  
Campanula rotundifolia L. Campanulaceae Harebell native Crevices and tops of steep stone bluffs, also exposed rock in prairie/savanna area.
Cannabis sativa L. Moraceae Hemp, Marijuana Eurasia Uncommon, areas of disturbance.
Cardamine penslyvanica Muhl. ex Willd. Brassicaceae Bitter cress native Riparian.
Carduus nutans L. Asteraceae Musk thistle Europe  
Carpinus caroliniana Walter Betulaceae Blue beech native Infrequent to locally common.
Carya cordiformis (Wang.) K. Koch Juglandaceae Bitternut hickory native  
Carya ovata (P. Miller) K. Koch Juglandaceae Shagbark hickory native  
Castilleja coccinea (L.) Sprengel Scrophulariaceae Indian paintbrush native Sandy soil of prairie/savanna area.
Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Berberidaceae Blue cohosh native Rich woodland, also under electric transmission line.
Ceanothus americanus L. var. pitcheri T. & G. Rhamnaceae New Jersey tea native Prairie/savanna area.
Celtis occidentalis L. Ulmaceae Hackberry native  
Cerastium nutans Raf. Caryophyllaceae Nodding chickweed native Exposed hilltops and alluvial valleys.
Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz Apiaceae Chervil native Occasional to abundant especially on alluvial soil.
Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Lamb's quarters Eurasia Rock bluffs, sandy soil.
Chenopodium hybridum L. Chenopodiaceae Maple-leaved goosefoot native Open areas under electric transmission lines.
Circaea lutetiana L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Ascherson & Magnus Onagraceae Enchanter's nightshade native  
Cirsium altissimum (L.) Sprengel Asteraceae Tall thistle native Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Asteraceae Canada thistle Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Cirsium discolor Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae Field thistle native Open ground under electric transmission lines, old field.
Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Asteraceae Bull thistle Eurasia Open ground under electric transmission lines.
Claytonia virginica L. Portulacaceae Spring Beauty native  
Clematis virginiana L. Ranunculaceae Virgin's bower native  
Conza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Asteraceae Horseweed native  
Cornus alternifolia L. f. Cornaceae Alternate-leaved dogwood native  
Cornus drummondii C.A. Meyer Cornaceae Rough-leaved dogwood native Alluvial ground along stream.
Cornus foemina P. Miller ssp. racemosa (Lam.) J.S. Wilson Cornaceae Gray dogwood native Woodland edges.
Corylus americana Walter Betulaceae Hazelnut native  
Crataegus crus-galli L. Rosaceae Cockspur hawthorn native Alluvial woodland
Crataegus margaretta Ashe Rosaceae Hawthorne native Upland woods.
Crataegus punctata Jacq. Rosaceae Hawthorn native Foodplain, and edges of woods.
Crataegus succulenta Schrader ex Link Rosaceae Hawthorn native Floodplain
Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. Apiaceae Honewort native  
Cuscuta cuspidata Engelm. Convolvulaceae Dodder native Alluvial woods, growing on Aster ontarionis.
Cuscuta gronovii Willd. Convolvulaceae Common dodder native Alluvial woods, growing on Laportea canadensis.
Cuscuta indecora Choisy Convolvulaceae Dodder native Listed as special concern by Iowa DNR. Sandy soil on high river terrace. Growing on Solidago, Ambrosia trifida, etc.
Daucus carota L. Apiaceae Queen Anne's lace Eurasia Rare.
Dentatia laciniata Muhl. ex Willd. Brassicaceae Toothwort native  
Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. Fabaceae Showy tick-trefoil native  
Desmodium glutinosum (Muhl. ex Willd.) Wood Fabaceae Pointed tick-trefoil native  
Dianthus armeria L. Caryophyllaceae Deptford pink Europe Open areas in sandy soil.
Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp. Papaveraceae Squirrel corn native Northern oriented slopes, under rock outcrops in rich, moist soil.
Dicentra cucullaria (L.) Bernh. Papaveraceae Dutchman's breeches native  
Dirca palustris L. Thymelaeaceae Leatherwood native Small, scattered groves at the base of bluffs
Dodecatheon meadia L. Primulaceae Shooting star native Prairie relict, small population. Also on disturbed eastern oriented bluff.
Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) T. & G. Cucurbitaceae Wild cucumber native Open areas under electric transmission lines and riparian.
Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Elaeagnaceae Autumn olive e. Asia Sandy open soil under power lines, bluff tops, woodland edges; infrequent.
Ellisia nyctelea L. Hydrophyllaceae Wild tomato native  
Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC. Asteraceae Fireweed native Under power lines.
Erigeron philadelphicus L. Asteraceae Fleabane native Riparian.
Erigeron pulchellus Michx. Asteraceae Robin's plantain native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area. Also pastured bluff.
Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. Asteraceae Daisy fleabane native Openings
Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. Celastraceae Wahoo native Upland woods and bluffs, likely more widespread than noted.
Eupatorium altissimum L. Asteraceae Tall thoroughwort native Sandy soil in clearing under power lines.
Eupatorium purpureum L. Asteraceae Purple joe-pye-weed native  
Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. Asteraceae White snakeroot native  
Euphorbia corollata Engelm. Euphorbiaceae Flowering spurge native Sandy open ground, Prairie relict.
Euphorbia cyathophora Murray Euphorbiaceae Wild poinsettia native Sandy openings and river banks.
Euphorbia hexagona Nutt. ex Sprengel Euphorbiaceae Six-angled spurge native Sandy river banks.
Euphorbia maculata L. Euphorbiaceae spotted spurge native Sandy soil, river banks.
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Rosaceae Wild strawberry native Sandy opening in woods and prairie/savanna area.
Fraxinus americana L. Oleaceae White ash native Uplands.
Fraxinus nigra Marsh. Oleaceae Black ash native Base and lower slopes of bluffs.
Fraxinus pennsyvanica Marsh. var. lanceolata (Borkh.) Sarg. Oleaceae Green ash native Floodplain.
Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon Asteraceae Quickweed C&S. Amer. Extremely disturbed soil.
Galium aparine L. Rubiaceae Cleavers native  
Galium boreale L. Rubiaceae Northern bedstraw native Rocky bluffs.
Galium circaezans Michx. Rubiaceae Wild licorice native Bluff tops, infrequent.
Galium concinnum T. & G. Rubiaceae Shining bedstraw native  
Galium triflorum Michx. Rubiaceae Sweet-scented bedstraw native  
Geranium carolinianum L. Geraniaceae Cranesbill native Sandy pastured open areas.
Geranium maculatum L. Geraniaceae Wild geranium native  
Geum canadense Jacq. Rosaceae White avens native  
Geum vernum (Raf.) T. & G. Rosaceae Spring avens native Locally quite common in pastured floodplain woodland. Currently listed as special concern by Iowa DNR.
Glechoma hederacea L. Lamiaceae Creeping Charlie Eurasia Areas of disturbance, riparian.
Gleditsia triacanthos L. Fabaceae Honey locust native  
Gnaphalium obtusifolium L. Asteraceae Everlasting native Sandy openings.
Hackelia deflexa (Wahl.) Opiz Boraginaceae Stickseed native  
Helenium autumnale L. Asteraceae Sneezeweed native Riparian.
Helianthus giganteus L. Asteraceae Tall sunflower native Woodland edges.
Helianthus grosseserratus Martens Asteraceae Sawtooth sunflower native Sandy, alluvial opening.
Helianthus strumosus L. Asteraceae Pale-leaved sunflower native Woodland edges.
Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet Asteraceae Ox-eye, false sunflower native Prairie/savanna, openings in woodland.
Hepatica nobilis P. Miller var. acuta (Pursh) Steyerm. Ranunculaceae Hepatica native  
Hesperis matronalis L. Brassicaceae Dame's rocket Eurasia Quite frequent on edges of flood plain and some moist alluvial openings where it has established itself quite nicely..
Heuchera richardsonii R. Br. Saxifragaceae Alumroot native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area.
Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Michx. Hydrophyllaceae Appendaged waterleaf native Northern oriented slopes, under rock outcrops in rich, moist soil.
Hydrophyllum virginianum L. Hydrophyllaceae Virginia waterleaf native  
Hypericum punctatum Lam. Hypericaceae Spotted St. John's wort native Edges of upland woods.
Hypericum pyramidatum Aiton Hypericaceae Giant St. John's wort native Plants noted in pasture next to woodland, and other open areas.
Impatiens capensis Meerb. Balsaminaceae Jewelweed native Riparian.
Impatiens pallida Nutt. Balsaminaceae Yellow jewel weed native  
Isopyrum biternatum (Raf.) T. & G. Ranunculaceae False rue anemone native Carpeting the lower slopes of the bluffs almost exclusively, down to the floodplains.
Juglans cinerea L. Juglandaceae Butternut native  
Juglans nigra L. Juglandaceae Black walnut native  
Krigia biflora (Walter) Blake Asteraceae False dandelion native Open, southern-oriented bluff, prairie/savanna area.
Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fern. Asteraceae Tall blue lettuce native Rare in this part of state, specimen should have been secured.
Lactuca canadensis L. Asteraceae Tall lettuce native Clearings.
Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertner Asteraceae Blue lettuce native Woodland edges.
Laportea canadensis (L.) Wedd. Urticaceae Wood nettle native On rich slopes and alluvium, this species is hard to ignore when it contacts bare skin.
Leonurus cardiaca L. Lamiaceae Motherwort Asia Disturbed rocky areas, etal.
Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. Brassicaceae Field cress Europe Sandy pastured areas.
Lepidium virginicum L. Brassicaceae Poor-man's pepper native Along river bank. Sandy openings.
Lespedeza capitata Michx. Fabaceae Round-headed bush clover native Sandy pastures and prairie/savanna area.
Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell Scrophulariaceae False pimpernel native Mud flats and sand bars, riparian.
Lithospermum caroliniense (Walter) MacM. Boraginaceae Hairy puccoon native Sandy, open pastures.
Lobelia inflata L. Campanulaceae Indian tobacco