10 Native Plants in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is located in the south-central United States and is undoubtedly a natural gem! Featuring ancient mountains, forests, prairies and mesas, it is home to many unique and stunning plants.

Nearly a quarter of the state is covered by forest, providing natural habitat for a variety of trees, shrubs, ferns and wildlife. Studies show that the deciduous forests and grasslands of Muskogee County alone are home to 829 species of vascular plants. Imagine how many other species there are all over the state!

Of the thousands of species native to the state, Oklahoma flowers are Rosa “Oklahoma” cross breed characterized by strong sweet scent! The state wildflower is the Indian blanket, a short-lived flowering plant that produces bright red, yellow and orange daisy-like inflorescences.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Redman country, or want to add another plant to your garden, read on to learn more about Oklahoma’s native plants!

1. Missouri Goldenrod

Missouri Goldenrod
scientific name	Missouri’s Solidago
Other nicknames	prairie goldenrod
plant type	flowering perennial
distribution	North America

This highly adaptable plant is native to North America and produces rich, beautiful inflorescences. Missouri Goldenrod only grows to 40 inches tall. However, despite its above-ground growth, the plant’s roots go deep to 6.6 feet underground and develop from a rhizome or tail.

Missouri goldenrod has large leaves near the ground and smaller at the top of the stem. The flower clusters grow in branched panicles consisting of over 200 small capitulums. Each head then has 5 to 14 rayed inflorescences surrounding 6 to 20 disc-shaped florets.

2. Swamp rose mallow

swamp rose mallow
scientific name	hibiscus musket
Other nicknames	Crimson Eyed Rose Mallow, Eastern Rose Mallow
plant type	flowering perennial
distribution	US East and Central

Marsh mallows are not just beautiful. Also popular in gardening and landscaping! The plant is a major food source for nectar-eating birds and insects, so its triangular leaves and distinctive flowers are of great value in its habitat. Swamp rose mallow flowers come in a variety of colors, usually white or dark rose.

There are many wetland rose and mallow hybrids available today for plant lovers, so if you’re planning on growing native flowers, this species should be on your list!

3. Willow oak

willow oak
scientific name	Quercus crispula
plant type	deciduous tree
distribution	South Central and Eastern US

Willow oak is the deciduous part of fagaceae A family of flowering plants along with chestnuts and beeches. This tree can reach 100 feet in height and has unique leaves shaped like willow leaves. The leaves are pale below and bright green above.

Willows produce acorns, but the fruits do not appear until the tree is about 15 years old. These acorns are of great value to wildlife as they are one of the main food sources for squirrels and other animals.

In addition to its importance as wildlife, willows are fast-growing, low-maintenance, and highly adaptable, making them excellent ornamental trees. Their wood, on the other hand, is used for paper production!

4. American Smoke Tree

american smoke tree
scientific name	constant applause
Other nicknames	Titanium Wood, American Smoke Wood
plant type	flowering deciduous shrub
distribution	South Central and Eastern US

The American smoke tree blooms in summer, producing distinctive pinkish-gray flowers. It has oval leaves that turn bright scarlet when the temperature drops. This unique color makes this tree famous for its deepest autumn colors.

The American smoke tree is extremely rare in the wild, growing only in small areas of Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee, but can be found in botanical gardens around the world where plant lovers can appreciate its lush foliage. You can

5. American Lotus

american lotus
scientific name	corpus luteum
Other nicknames	yellow lotus, fly, water lily
plant type	aquatic flower
distribution	North America

The American lotus is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful plants in North America. It is an aquatic plant that grows in swamps and lakes and takes root in mud. The flowers and leaves grow above the water and appear to float. Petioles can reach up to 6.6 feet wide. Imagine what it would look like if you spotted an American lotus this big!

American lotuses bloom in late spring through summer. The flowers are white or pale yellow, have 22 to 25 petals, and are about 7.1 to 11 inches in diameter.

In addition to its incredible beauty, the American lotus has edible seeds, seed-like fruits, unopened leaves, and young stems.

6. Jack in the Pulpit

Jack in the Pulpit
scientific name	alisaemma triphyllum
Other nicknames	swamp onion, Indian turnip, brown dragon
plant type	perennial
distribution	North Central East

Jack in the Pulpit herbaceous perennial grows in moist woodlands and thickets. It has a long stem, at the top of which his three leaves are clustered. Blooms from April to June with yellow-green flowers. However, the flowers are entirely green, sometimes with brown or purple stripes.

Mushroom gnats are major jack-in-the-pulpit pollinators. The swamp onion berries are glossy green berries that ripen in late summer or early fall.

The jack-in-the-pulpit plant is safe to eat if cooked, but raw jack-in-the-pulpit can cause a strong burning sensation, mouth and digestive irritation, and even severe allergies. It may cause reactions.

7. Meadowflower

meadow flowers
scientific name	texan berlandiera
Other nicknames	texas green eyes
plant type	flowering herbs
distribution	south central US

The meadow flower grows only in the central and southern United States, from eastern New Mexico to Louisiana and north to Kansas and Missouri, and is found in open forests and bushes. People also call it the Texas Greeneye.

The meadow flower plant grows only up to 4 feet and blooms from March to November, producing several capitulums of red disc-shaped florets and yellow ray-shaped florets.

8. Prairie shoestrings

prairie shoestring
scientific name	Amorpha canesens
Other nicknames	Downy Indigo Bush, Buffalo Bellows, Reed Plant
plant type	Perennial semi-shrub
distribution	North America

Prairie shoestrings have many other common names. You may have heard of them as buffalo bellows or downy indigo bushes. It is common throughout North America and grows in arid prairies and savannahs. It has characteristic small purple flowers and grey-green leaflets. The flowers are arranged in long spikes and the leaflets are alternate. Prairie shoestring fruit is a hairy legume.

Prairie shoestring shrubs were once used to treat various health problems such as rheumatism, pinworms, and eczema. Instead, the plant resists erosion and has nitrogen-fixing properties, making it a valuable landscaping and garden shrub.

9. Blue Wild Indigo

blue wild indigo
scientific name	Baptisia australis
Other nicknames	blue indigo, rush grass, rattle, indigo grass
plant type	perennial
distribution	Central and Eastern North America

Aoi wild indigo is also called blue indigo because it is often used as a substitute for real indigo and indigo that produce dyes. Indigo dye.

Blue false indigo grows up to 4.9 feet tall. Grayish-green trifoliate leaves are arranged alternately. In addition, the leaflets are obovate and the flower color is bright blue, sometimes dark purple. It is a perennial that blooms from spring to summer.

Some blue wild indigo parts, including the seeds, are considered toxic, especially to children.

10. Wild Bergamot

wild bergamot
scientific name	monarda fistula
Other nicknames	bee balm
plant type	perennial
distribution	North America

Wild bergamot is one of the most common and abundant plants in North America. However, it is most common in Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, and Arizona. It thrives on chalky soils in dry fields and bushes. Widely known as a medicinal, honey and ornamental plant!

Wild bergamot has compact clusters of purplish flowers that make the plant easily distinguishable in the wild. It is

This plant is often used to treat colds and is very popular for making tea.

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