Common Native Plants in Each US State

Alabama: There are over 3,500 species of plants native to Alabama, including both wildflowers and trees. Some common examples include:

  • Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  • Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Alaska: There are over 1,500 species of plants native to Alaska, including a wide variety of grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers. Some common examples include:

  • Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

  • Arctic lupine (Lupinus arcticus)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

  • Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Arizona: There are over 4,500 species of plants native to Arizona, including many unique desert-adapted species. Some common examples include:

  • Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)

  • Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata)

  • Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)

  • Mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

Arkansas: There are over 2,600 species of plants native to Arkansas, including many types of wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. Some common examples include:

  • Dogwood (Cornus florida)

  • Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

  • Huckleberry (Gaylussacia spp.)

California: There are over 6,500 species of native plants in California, including a variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Some common examples include:

  • Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

  • California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

  • Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)

  • Coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

Colorado: There are over 2,000 species of plants native to Colorado, including a variety of wildflowers, grasses, and trees. Some common examples include:

  • Blue columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

  • Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)

  • Bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum)

  • Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)

Connecticut: There are over 2,800 species of plants native to Connecticut. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)

  • Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Delaware: There are over 1,000 species of plants native to Delaware. Some common examples include:

  • American holly (Ilex opaca)

  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Florida: There are over 4,000 species of plants native to Florida. Some common examples include:

  • Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto)

  • Live oak (Quercus virginiana)

  • Firebush (Hamelia patens)

  • Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Georgia: There are over 3,600 species of plants native to Georgia. Some common examples include:

  • Georgia oak (Quercus georgiana)

  • Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  • American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Hawaii: There are over 1,200 species of plants native to Hawaii. Some common examples include:

  • Koa tree (Acacia koa)

  • Ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

  • Hala tree (Pandanus tectorius)

  • Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

Idaho: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Idaho. Some common examples include:

  • Western white pine (Pinus monticola)

  • Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

  • Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

  • Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

Illinois: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Illinois. Some common examples include:

  • Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

  • Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Indiana: There are over 2,000 species of plants native to Indiana. Some common examples include:

  • Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

  • Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Iowa: There are over 1,800 species of plants native to Iowa. Some common examples include:

  • Wild rose (Rosa arkansana)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Kansas: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Kansas. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

  • Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

  • Wild indigo (Baptisia australis)

Kentucky: There are over 2,600 species of plants native to Kentucky. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Louisiana: There are over 3,000 species of plants native to Louisiana. Some common examples include:

  • Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)

  • Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  • Wild azalea (Rhododendron canescens)

  • Louisiana iris (Iris brevicaulis)

Maine: There are over 1,800 species of plants native to Maine. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

  • Lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule)

Maryland: There are over 2,400 species of plants native to Maryland. Some common examples include:

  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Massachusetts: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Massachusetts. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

  • New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Michigan: There are over 3,400 species of plants native to Michigan. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)

  • Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Minnesota: There are over 2,800 species of plants native to Minnesota. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis)

  • Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Mississippi: There are over 2,800 species of plants native to Mississippi. Some common examples include:

  • Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

  • American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Missouri: There are over 3,100 species of plants native to Missouri. Some common examples include:

  • Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Wild indigo (Baptisia australis)

  • Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis)

Montana: There are over 3,500 species of plants native to Montana. Some common examples include:

  • Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

  • Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax)

  • Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

  • Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

Nebraska: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Nebraska. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

  • Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Nevada: There are over 3,000 species of plants native to Nevada. Some common examples include:

  • Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)

  • Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

  • Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)

  • Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)

New Hampshire: There are over 1,700 species of plants native to New Hampshire. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • White pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

  • Trillium (Trillium spp.)

New Jersey: There are over 2,300 species of plants native to New Jersey. Some common examples include:

  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)

  • Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

  • New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)

  • Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

New Mexico: There are over 3,000 species of plants native to New Mexico. Some common examples include:

  • Pinon pine (Pinus edulis)

  • Yucca (Yucca spp.)

  • Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

  • Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)

New York: There are over 3,500 species of plants native to New York. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

  • New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)

North Carolina: There are over 4,000 species of plants native to North Carolina. Some common examples include:

  • Dogwood (Cornus florida)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Fire pink (Silene virginica)

North Dakota: There are over 1,800 species of plants native to North Dakota. Some common examples include:

  • Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)

  • Prairie rose (Rosa arkansana)

  • Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

  • Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Ohio: There are over 3,500 species of plants native to Ohio. Some common examples include:

  • Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota)

  • Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Oklahoma: There are over 2,300 species of plants native to Oklahoma. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

  • Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Oregon: There are over 4,500 species of plants native to Oregon. Some common examples include:

  • Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

  • Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

  • Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)

  • Sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

Pennsylvania: There are over 3,000 species of plants native to Pennsylvania. Some common examples include:

  • Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

  • White oak (Quercus alba)

  • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Rhode Island: There are over 900 species of plants native to Rhode Island. Some common examples include:

  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • Beach plum (Prunus maritima)

  • Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis)

  • Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)

South Carolina: There are over 4,000 species of plants native to South Carolina. Some common examples include:

  • Sabal palmetto (Sabal palmetto)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  • Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

South Dakota: There are over 1,200 species of plants native to South Dakota. Some common examples include:

  • Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

  • Pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)

  • Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)

  • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Tennessee: There are over 3,500 species of plants native to Tennessee. Some common examples include:

  • Dogwood (Cornus florida)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Texas: There are over 5,000 species of plants native to Texas. Some common examples include:

  • Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

  • Texas live oak (Quercus fusiformis)

  • Indian paintbrush (Castilleja spp.)

  • Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.)

Utah: There are over 2,800 species of plants native to Utah. Some common examples include:

  • Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis)

  • Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

  • Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)

  • Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.)

Vermont: There are over 2,000 species of plants native to Vermont. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)

  • Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

  • Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

Virginia: There are over 3,200 species of plants native to Virginia. Some common examples include:

  • Dogwood (Cornus florida)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Washington: There are over 4,000 species of plants native to Washington. Some common examples include:

  • Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

  • Sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

  • Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

  • Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

West Virginia: There are over 3,000 species of plants native to West Virginia. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

Wisconsin: There are over 2,500 species of plants native to Wisconsin. Some common examples include:

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

  • White pine (Pinus strobus)

  • Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum)

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Wyoming: There are over 1,400 species of plants native to Wyoming. Some common examples include:

  • Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

  • Indian paintbrush (Castilleja spp.)

  • Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

  • Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

The United States is a large and diverse country, and as such it is home to a wide variety of plant species. Here are some key facts and figures about plant diversity in the US:

  • There are approximately 17,000 species of vascular plants native to the US, which includes ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.

  • The US is home to a number of important plant ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, wetlands, and deserts. Each of these ecosystems is characterized by a unique combination of plant species.

  • The eastern half of the US is generally more diverse in terms of plant species than the western half. This is due in part to the fact that the eastern US has a more varied climate and geology, which allows for a wider variety of habitats.

  • California has the highest plant diversity of any state in the US, with over 6,000 native plant species. This is due in part to California's wide range of ecosystems, including forests, deserts, and coastal areas.

  • The US is home to a number of rare and endangered plant species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides protections for these species and their habitats.

  • There are a number of ongoing efforts to document and preserve plant diversity in the US. The US National Plant Germplasm System, for example, is a network of repositories that preserves genetic material from a wide variety of plant species.

Overall, plant diversity in the US is an important and complex topic, and there is much more to learn about the many plant species that call this country home.

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