Native plants · Illinois
Native plants of Cook County
1,185 plant species are recorded as native to Illinois in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Cook County by USDA PLANTS. 462 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 3 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.
County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP
Cook County, Illinois
- Native species
- 1,185 Typical Illinois county: 641 (median of 102 counties)
- Garden-ready natives
- 462 Typical Illinois county: 272
- Share by type (all 1,185 native species)
-
Percent of the 1,185 native species in each growth type
Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (58%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (22%).
The native plant list
Garden-ready natives 462
Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.
| Plant | Type | Height | Light | Water use | Hardy to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| alkali buttercup Ranunculus cymbalaria | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| Allegheny blackberry Rubus allegheniensis | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| Allegheny serviceberry Amelanchier laevis | Tree | 35 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| alternateleaf dogwood Cornus alternifolia | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| American basswood Tilia americana | Tree | 100 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| American beachgrass Ammophila breviligulata | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| American beech Fagus grandifolia | Tree | 80 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| American bellflower Campanulastrum americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 12b |
| American bittersweet Celastrus scandens | Vine | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| American black currant Ribes americanum | Shrub | 3 ft | — | — | Zone 2b |
| American bur-reed Sparganium americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American eelgrass Vallisneria americana | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| American elm Ulmus americana | Tree | 120 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| American hazelnut Corylus americana | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| American lotus Nelumbo lutea | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| American plum Prunus americana | Tree | 24 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| American pokeweed Phytolacca americana | Wildflower (forb) | 7.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American red raspberry Rubus idaeus | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 1a |
| American sycamore Platanus occidentalis | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American vetch Vicia americana | Vine | 1.3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| American water horehound Lycopus americanus | Wildflower (forb) | 1.8 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| American water plantain Alisma subcordatum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| American water-willow Justicia americana | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| American witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana | Tree | 20 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| annual wildrice Zizania aquatica | Grass or grass-like | 9.8 ft | Sun | High | Zone 10b |
| arborvitae Thuja occidentalis | Tree | 50 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| arctic brome Bromus kalmii | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| arrowleaf tearthumb Polygonum sagittatum | Vine | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| Atlantic camas Camassia scilloides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| awlfruit sedge Carex stipata | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| balsam poplar Populus balsamifera | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | High | Zone 1a |
| beach pea Lathyrus japonicus | Vine | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| beaked agrimony Agrimonia rostellata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| beaked spikerush Eleocharis rostellata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| bearded beggarticks Bidens aristosa | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| Bebb's sedge Carex bebbii | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| Bicknell's sedge Carex bicknellii | Grass or grass-like | 3.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| big bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 2b |
| bigleaf aster Eurybia macrophylla | Wildflower (forb) | 4.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| bigtooth aspen Populus grandidentata | Tree | 65 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 2b |
| black ash Fraxinus nigra | Tree | 65 ft | Sun | High | Zone 2b |
| black cherry Prunus serotina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 9b |
| black huckleberry Gaylussacia baccata | Shrub | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| black maple Acer nigrum | Tree | 100 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| black oak Quercus velutina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| black raspberry Rubus occidentalis | Shrub | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| black walnut Juglans nigra | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| black willow Salix nigra | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 1b |
| blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| blackgum Nyssa sylvatica | Tree | 95 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium | Tree | 16 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| blue mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| blunt broom sedge Carex tribuloides | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| blunt spikerush Eleocharis obtusa | Grass or grass-like | 1.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11a |
| bluntleaf bedstraw Galium obtusum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| bog birch Betula pumila | Shrub | 20 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| bog goldenrod Solidago uliginosa | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| bog rush Juncus biflorus | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| bog willowherb Epilobium leptophyllum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| boxelder Acer negundo | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| bristly buttercup Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bristly dewberry Rubus hispidus | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| bristlystalked sedge Carex leptalea | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| broadfruit bur-reed Sparganium eurycarpum | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| broadleaf arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| broadleaf rosette grass Dichanthelium latifolium | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| broom sedge Carex scoparia | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| bulbous bittercress Cardamine bulbosa | Wildflower (forb) | 1.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bunchberry dogwood Cornus canadensis | Shrub | 6 in | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| bur oak Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| bur-reed sedge Carex sparganioides | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| burningbush Euonymus atropurpureus | Tree | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | — |
| butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| butternut Juglans cinerea | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Canada germander Teucrium canadense | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| Canada goldenrod Solidago canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 12b |
| Canadian lousewort Pedicularis canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canadian milkvetch Astragalus canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Canadian plum Prunus nigra | Tree | 9 ft | Sun | — | Zone 9b |
| Canadian rush Juncus canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Canadian waterweed Elodea canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| Carolina foxtail Alopecurus carolinianus | Grass or grass-like | 1.7 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| Carolina rose Rosa carolina | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| chinquapin oak Quercus muehlenbergii | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Tree | 25 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea | Fern | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| clasping coneflower Dracopis amplexicaulis | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 10b |
| climbing rose Rosa setigera | Vine | 16 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| closed bottle gentian Gentiana andrewsii | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| clustered field sedge Carex praegracilis | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| coast cockspur grass Echinochloa walteri | Grass or grass-like | 6.5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 10b |
| cockspur hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| common blue violet Viola sororia | Wildflower (forb) | 4 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| common blue wood aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis | Tree | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| common cowparsnip Heracleum maximum | Wildflower (forb) | 8 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| common duckweed Lemna minor | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| common evening primrose Oenothera biennis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| common goldstar Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| common hackberry Celtis occidentalis | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 2b |
| common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata | Tree | 25 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| common juniper Juniperus communis | Tree | 10 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| common rush Juncus effusus | Grass or grass-like | 6.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| common selfheal Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| common serviceberry Amelanchier arborea | Tree | 36 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| common sneezeweed Helenium autumnale | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| common spikerush Eleocharis palustris | Grass or grass-like | 1.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| common threesquare Schoenoplectus pungens | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| common winterberry Ilex verticillata | Tree | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| composite dropseed Sporobolus compositus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| coon's tail Ceratophyllum demersum | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| cosmopolitan bulrush Bolboschoenus maritimus | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| creeping juniper Juniperus horizontalis | Shrub | 4 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| crested sedge Carex cristatella | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| crested woodfern Dryopteris cristata | Fern | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| crimsoneyed rosemallow Hibiscus moscheutos | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun | High | Zone 6a |
| cup plant Silphium perfoliatum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | — | Zone 2b |
| cursed buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 12b |
| cutleaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| deertongue Dichanthelium clandestinum | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| dense blazing star Liatris spicata | Wildflower (forb) | 4.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| devil's beggartick Bidens frondosa | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 12a |
| devil's darning needles Clematis virginiana | Vine | 15 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| ditch stonecrop Penthorum sedoides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| dotted smartweed Polygonum punctatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| downy arrowwood Viburnum rafinesqueanum | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3a |
| downy yellow violet Viola pubescens | Wildflower (forb) | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides | Tree | 190 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| eastern narrowleaf sedge Carex amphibola | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| eastern purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea | Wildflower (forb) | 1.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| eastern redbud Cercis canadensis | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana | Tree | 50 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| eastern teaberry Gaultheria procumbens | Shrub | 6 in | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| eastern white pine Pinus strobus | Tree | 150 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| eastern woodland sedge Carex blanda | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| false daisy Eclipta prostrata | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 10b |
| false indigo bush Amorpha fruticosa | Shrub | 15 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| field horsetail Equisetum arvense | Fern | 11 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| field pussytoes Antennaria neglecta | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| fireweed Chamerion angustifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 5.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| flatstem pondweed Potamogeton zosteriformis | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| flatstem spikerush Eleocharis compressa | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| fowl bluegrass Poa palustris | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| fowl mannagrass Glyceria striata | Grass or grass-like | 5.7 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| fragrant flatsedge Cyperus odoratus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11b |
| fringed brome Bromus ciliatus | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| fringed sedge Carex crinita | Grass or grass-like | 5.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| fringeleaf wild petunia Ruellia humilis | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| frost grape Vitis vulpina | Vine | 83 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| Georgia bulrush Scirpus georgianus | Grass or grass-like | 4.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| golden ragwort Packera aurea | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3a |
| golden sedge Carex aurea | Grass or grass-like | 1.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| graceful sedge Carex gracillima | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| grassleaf rush Juncus marginatus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| gray alder Alnus incana | Tree | 25 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| gray birch Betula populifolia | Tree | 25 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| gray dogwood Cornus racemosa | Shrub | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Gray's sedge Carex grayi | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| great St. Johnswort Hypericum ascyron | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| greater bladder sedge Carex intumescens | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| greater straw sedge Carex normalis | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| green arrow arum Peltandra virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Tree | 80 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| green bulrush Scirpus atrovirens | Grass or grass-like | 5.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 2a |
| greenwhite sedge Carex albolutescens | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| groundnut Apios americana | Vine | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| hairy lespedeza Lespedeza hirta | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| hairy sedge Carex lacustris | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| hairy white oldfield aster Symphyotrichum pilosum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| hairyfruit sedge Carex trichocarpa | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus laevis | Wildflower (forb) | 8 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 6a |
| hardstem bulrush Schoenoplectus acutus | Grass or grass-like | 9.8 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| harvestlice Agrimonia parviflora | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum | Shrub | 12 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| hooded lady's tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| hop sedge Carex lupulina | Grass or grass-like | 4.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana | Tree | 45 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| horseflyweed Baptisia tinctoria | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 7b |
| Illinois bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| inland rush Juncus interior | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| inland sedge Carex interior | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| interrupted fern Osmunda claytoniana | Fern | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| Jack in the pulpit Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| jack pine Pinus banksiana | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 2a |
| Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower (forb) | 9.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| jewelweed Impatiens capensis | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 10b |
| Kentucky coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Shrub | 6 in | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| knotted rush Juncus nodosus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| lanceleaf loosestrife Lysimachia lanceolata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| lanceleaf tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6b |
| largeleaf pondweed Potamogeton amplifolius | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| leadplant Amorpha canescens | Shrub | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| leafy pondweed Potamogeton foliosus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata | Shrub | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| lesser panicled sedge Carex diandra | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| limestone bittercress Cardamine douglassii | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| little barley Hordeum pusillum | Grass or grass-like | 1.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| little green sedge Carex viridula | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| littleleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.8 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| longbeak buttercup Ranunculus longirostris | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| longhair sedge Carex comosa | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| longleaf pondweed Potamogeton nodosus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| longleaf starwort Stellaria longifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Malabar sprangletop Leptochloa fusca | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| mapleleaf viburnum Viburnum acerifolium | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| marsh bellflower Campanula aparinoides | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| marsh muhly Muhlenbergia racemosa | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 2 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| meadow barley Hordeum brachyantherum | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| meadow evening primrose Oenothera pilosella | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| Mexican muhly Muhlenbergia mexicana | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Missouri goldenrod Solidago missouriensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| Missouri ironweed Vernonia missurica | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Missouri River willow Salix eriocephala | Tree | 52 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa | Tree | 85 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| mountain brome Bromus marginatus | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| Muskingum sedge Carex muskingumensis | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| nannyberry Viburnum lentago | Tree | 28 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| needle and thread Hesperostipa comata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| needle spikerush Eleocharis acicularis | Grass or grass-like | 8 in | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus | Shrub | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| nodding beggartick Bidens cernua | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12a |
| nodding fescue Festuca subverticillata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| nodding lady's tresses Spiranthes cernua | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| nodding waternymph Najas flexilis | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12a |
| northern bedstraw Galium boreale | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| northern bush honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera | Shrub | 2.4 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 5a |
| northern catalpa Catalpa speciosa | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| northern maidenhair Adiantum pedatum | Fern | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| northern red oak Quercus rubra | Tree | 81 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| northern spicebush Lindera benzoin | Tree | 12 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| northern St. Johnswort Hypericum boreale | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| Ohio buckeye Aesculus glabra | Tree | 68 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| old man's whiskers Geum triflorum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| orangegrass Hypericum gentianoides | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 12a |
| oval-leaf sedge Carex cephalophora | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| pale purple coneflower Echinacea pallida | Wildflower (forb) | 1.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| pale touch-me-not Impatiens pallida | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 10b |
| panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 6a |
| paper birch Betula papyrifera | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | High | Zone 1a |
| partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| pawpaw Asimina triloba | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| peachleaf willow Salix amygdaloides | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| Pennsylvania bittercress Cardamine pensylvanica | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Pennsylvania buttercup Ranunculus pensylvanicus | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| Philadelphia fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| pickerelweed Pontederia cordata | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| pignut hickory Carya glabra | Tree | 80 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| pin cherry Prunus pensylvanica | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| pin oak Quercus palustris | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| pinnate prairie coneflower Ratibida pinnata | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| porcupinegrass Hesperostipa spartea | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| poverty rush Juncus tenuis | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| prairie blazing star Liatris pycnostachya | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata | Grass or grass-like | 8 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| prairie crab apple Malus ioensis | Tree | 25 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| prairie dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis | Grass or grass-like | 2.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| prairie Junegrass Koeleria macrantha | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| prairie sagewort Artemisia frigida | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| prairie sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia | Grass or grass-like | 4.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| prairie wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| prairie willow Salix humilis | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| pride of Ohio Dodecatheon meadia | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis | Grass or grass-like | 11 in | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purpleflowering raspberry Rubus odoratus | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purplehead sneezeweed Helenium flexuosum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| purpleleaf willowherb Epilobium coloratum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| purplestem aster Symphyotrichum puniceum | Wildflower (forb) | 8.1 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| purplestem beggarticks Bidens connata | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12a |
| purpletop tridens Tridens flavus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| pussy willow Salix discolor | Tree | 40 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| quaking aspen Populus tremuloides | Tree | 65 ft | Sun | High | Zone 1a |
| quill sedge Carex tenera | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| rattlesnake fern Botrychium virginianum | Fern | 1.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| rattlesnake mannagrass Glyceria canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| ravenfoot sedge Carex crus-corvi | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| red elderberry Sambucus racemosa | Tree | 18 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| red maple Acer rubrum | Tree | 68 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| red mulberry Morus rubra | Tree | 70 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| redosier dogwood Cornus sericea | Tree | 12 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| redroot flatsedge Cyperus erythrorhizos | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11a |
| redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| river bulrush Bolboschoenus fluviatilis | Grass or grass-like | 6.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| riverbank grape Vitis riparia | Vine | 45 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| riverbank wildrye Elymus riparius | Grass or grass-like | 4.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| rock elm Ulmus thomasii | Tree | 90 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| rough avens Geum laciniatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.1 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| rough bedstraw Galium asprellum | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| rough bentgrass Agrostis scabra | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| rough bugleweed Lycopus asper | Wildflower (forb) | 2.1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| roughfruit amaranth Amaranthus tuberculatus | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| roundhead lespedeza Lespedeza capitata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| roundleaf dogwood Cornus rugosa | Tree | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| roundleaf goldenrod Solidago patula | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| roundleaf serviceberry Amelanchier sanguinea | Tree | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| rufous bulrush Scirpus pendulus | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| russet buffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis | Shrub | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 1a |
| sageleaf willow Salix candida | Shrub | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| sago pondweed Stuckenia pectinata | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| sand dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| sandbar willow Salix interior | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | — | Zone 1a |
| sandcherry Prunus pumila | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| sassafras Sassafras albidum | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| sawtooth sunflower Helianthus grosseserratus | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| scarlet Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccinea | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| scratchgrass Muhlenbergia asperifolia | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| shagbark hickory Carya ovata | Tree | 75 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| shallow sedge Carex lurida | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| sharpwing monkeyflower Mimulus alatus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| shingle oak Quercus imbricaria | Tree | 45 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| shining willow Salix lucida | Tree | 13 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| Short's sedge Carex shortiana | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5b |
| shortawn foxtail Alopecurus aequalis | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| shrubby cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosa | Shrub | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| shrubby St. Johnswort Hypericum prolificum | Shrub | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| silky dogwood Cornus amomum | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| silky willow Salix sericea | Tree | 12 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| silver maple Acer saccharinum | Tree | 90 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 2b |
| silverweed cinquefoil Argentina anserina | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| slender flatsedge Cyperus bipartitus | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| slender spikerush Eleocharis tenuis | Grass or grass-like | 2.9 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| slender wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| slimstem reedgrass Calamagrostis stricta | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| slippery elm Ulmus rubra | Tree | 85 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3a |
| small enchanter's nightshade Circaea alpina | Wildflower (forb) | 11 in | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| small floating mannagrass Glyceria borealis | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| small white violet Viola macloskeyi | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| smallhead rush Juncus brachycephalus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| smallspike false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| smooth blue aster Symphyotrichum laeve | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| smooth hedgenettle Stachys tenuifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| smooth horsetail Equisetum laevigatum | Fern | 5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| smooth phlox Phlox glaberrima | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| smooth sumac Rhus glabra | Tree | 12 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| softstem bulrush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | Grass or grass-like | 9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum | Tree | 8 ft | Sun–part shade | — | Zone 5a |
| southern arrowwood Viburnum recognitum | Tree | 9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| spiked muhly Muhlenbergia glomerata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| spotted joe pye weed Eutrochium maculatum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| spotted St. Johnswort Hypericum punctatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| spreading yellowcress Rorippa sinuata | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| spring avens Geum vernum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| squarestem spikerush Eleocharis quadrangulata | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| squarrose sedge Carex squarrosa | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| staghorn sumac Rhus typhina | Tree | 30 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| stalked bulrush Scirpus pedicellatus | Grass or grass-like | 6.6 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| stalkless yellowcress Rorippa sessiliflora | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| star duckweed Lemna trisulca | Wildflower (forb) | 4 in | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa | Shrub | 4 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| stiff goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| stiff marsh bedstraw Galium tinctorium | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| sugar maple Acer saccharum | Tree | 100 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| summer grape Vitis aestivalis | Vine | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| swamp loosestrife Decodon verticillatus | Shrub | 8 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| swamp rose Rosa palustris | Shrub | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| swamp smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| swamp white oak Quercus bicolor | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| sweet fern Comptonia peregrina | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| sweet woodreed Cinna arundinacea | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| sweetscent Pluchea odorata | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| switchgrass Panicum virgatum | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| tall cinquefoil Potentilla arguta | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| tall cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| tall hairy agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| tamarack Larix laricina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 1a |
| taperleaf water horehound Lycopus rubellus | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| tapertip flatsedge Cyperus acuminatus | Grass or grass-like | 1.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| tapertip rush Juncus acuminatus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| teal lovegrass Eragrostis hypnoides | Grass or grass-like | 4 in | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| three-way sedge Dulichium arundinaceum | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| threelobe beggarticks Bidens tripartita | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12a |
| threepetal bedstraw Galium trifidum | Vine | 10 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| toad rush Juncus bufonius | Grass or grass-like | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 12a |
| Torrey's rush Juncus torreyi | Grass or grass-like | 3.1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| trumpet creeper Campsis radicans | Vine | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| trumpetweed Eutrochium fistulosum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa | Grass or grass-like | 3.4 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| tufted loosestrife Lysimachia thyrsiflora | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| twoheaded water-starwort Callitriche heterophylla | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| upland bentgrass Agrostis perennans | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| upright prairie coneflower Ratibida columnifera | Wildflower (forb) | 3.1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| upright sedge Carex stricta | Grass or grass-like | 4.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| valley redstem Ammannia coccinea | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| variableleaf pondweed Potamogeton gramineus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| vernal water-starwort Callitriche palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Vine | 1 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| Virginia iris Iris virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 8b |
| Virginia spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana | Wildflower (forb) | 1.1 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Virginia threeseed mercury Acalypha virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 10b |
| Virginia water horehound Lycopus virginicus | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile | Fern | 3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| water knotweed Polygonum amphibium | Wildflower (forb) | 1 in | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| water sedge Carex aquatilis | Grass or grass-like | 2.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| western pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| western snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis | Shrub | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| wheat sedge Carex atherodes | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| white ash Fraxinus americana | Tree | 90 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| white avens Geum canadense | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| white doll's daisy Boltonia asteroides | Wildflower (forb) | 8 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| white meadowsweet Spiraea alba | Shrub | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| white oak Quercus alba | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| white panicle aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| white prairie clover Dalea candida | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| white sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| whitegrass Leersia virginica | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| whiteroot rush Juncus brachycarpus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| whitestem pondweed Potamogeton praelongus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| wild blue phlox Phlox divaricata | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| wild sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| winged sumac Rhus copallinum | Tree | 8 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| winter bentgrass Agrostis hyemalis | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| wirestem muhly Muhlenbergia frondosa | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| woodland bluegrass Poa sylvestris | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| woodland muhly Muhlenbergia sylvatica | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| wreath goldenrod Solidago caesia | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| yellow fumewort Corydalis flavula | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| yellow marsh marigold Caltha palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| zigzag goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
No garden-ready natives match these filters. Try clearing one.
Other native species recorded here 723
PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.
Hidden while “Garden-ready only” is on.
- Adam and Eve Aplectrum hyemale
- agueweed Gentianella quinquefolia
- Allegheny monkeyflower Mimulus ringens
- alpine violet Viola labradorica
- amberique-bean Strophostyles helvola
- American bladdernut Staphylea trifolia
- American bluehearts Buchnera americana
- American burnweed Erechtites hieraciifolius
- American cancer-root Conopholis americana
- American columbo Frasera caroliniensis
- American false pennyroyal Hedeoma pulegioides
- American ginseng Panax quinquefolius
- American hogpeanut Amphicarpaea bracteata
- American lopseed Phryma leptostachya
- American milletgrass Milium effusum
- American searocket Cakile edentula
- American senna Senna hebecarpa
- American sloughgrass Beckmannia syzigachne
- American spikenard Aralia racemosa
- American stoneseed Lithospermum latifolium
- American white waterlily Nymphaea odorata
- Appalachian stitchwort Minuartia glabra
- aromatic aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
- arrowfeather threeawn Aristida purpurascens
- arrowhead rattlebox Crotalaria sagittalis
- arrowleaf violet Viola sagittata
- ashy sunflower Helianthus mollis
- aster Symphyotrichum ×amethystinum
- Aunt Lucy Ellisia nyctelea
- bald spikerush Eleocharis erythropoda
- balsam groundsel Packera paupercula
- bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata
- bayberry willow Salix myricoides
- beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
- bearded flatsedge Cyperus squarrosus
- bearded shorthusk Brachyelytrum erectum
- Bebb willow Salix bebbiana
- Beck's water-marigold Bidens beckii
- biannual lettuce Lactuca ludoviciana
- Bicknell's cranesbill Geranium bicknellii
- biennial beeblossom Oenothera gaura
- big devils beggartick Bidens vulgata
- bigbract verbena Verbena bracteata
- bigfruit hawthorn Crataegus macrosperma
- birdfoot violet Viola pedata
- black baneberry Actaea racemosa
- blackfoot quillwort Isoetes melanopoda
- blackseed plantain Plantago rugelii
- blackseed ricegrass Patis racemosa
- blisterwort Ranunculus recurvatus
- bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- bloody butcher Trillium recurvatum
- blue ash Fraxinus quadrangulata
- Blue Ridge blueberry Vaccinium pallidum
- blue skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora
- blue waxweed Cuphea viscosissima
- bluejacket Tradescantia ohiensis
- bluntleaf sandwort Moehringia lateriflora
- bluntlobe cliff fern Woodsia obtusa
- bog white violet Viola lanceolata
- bog willow Salix pedicellaris
- bog yellowcress Rorippa palustris
- bottlebrush sedge Carex hystericina
- bottomland aster Symphyotrichum ontarionis
- box knotweed Polygonum buxiforme
- bright green spikerush Eleocharis olivacea
- bristleleaf sedge Carex eburnea
- bristly greenbrier Smilax tamnoides
- bristly sarsaparilla Aralia hispida
- broad beechfern Phegopteris hexagonoptera
- brome-like sedge Carex bromoides
- brook cinquefoil Potentilla rivalis
- brown widelip orchid Liparis liliifolia
- browneyed Susan Rudbeckia triloba
- brownish beaksedge Rhynchospora capitellata
- buffalo clover Trifolium reflexum
- bulblet bladderfern Cystopteris bulbifera
- bulblet-bearing water hemlock Cicuta bulbifera
- bushy knotweed Polygonum ramosissimum
- button eryngo Eryngium yuccifolium
- buttonbush dodder Cuscuta cephalanthi
- Buxbaum's sedge Carex buxbaumii
- Canada lettuce Lactuca canadensis
- Canada mayflower Maianthemum canadense
- Canada spikesedge Eleocharis geniculata
- Canada toadflax Nuttallanthus canadensis
- Canadian anemone Anemone canadensis
- Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
- Canadian clearweed Pilea pumila
- Canadian honewort Cryptotaenia canadensis
- Canadian white violet Viola canadensis
- Canadian wildginger Asarum canadense
- Canadian woodnettle Laportea canadensis
- candle anemone Anemone cylindrica
- carelessweed Cyclachaena xanthiifolia
- Carey's smartweed Polygonum careyi
- Carolina anemone Anemone caroliniana
- Carolina draba Draba reptans
- Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
- Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense
- Carolina puccoon Lithospermum caroliniense
- Carolina vetch Vicia caroliniana
- carpenter's square Scrophularia marilandica
- catberry Ilex mucronata
- celandine poppy Stylophorum diphyllum
- Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- churchmouse threeawn Aristida dichotoma
- clammy groundcherry Physalis heterophylla
- clammy hedgehyssop Gratiola neglecta
- clasping milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
- clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
- claspingleaf St. Johnswort Hypericum gymnanthum
- Clayton's sweetroot Osmorhiza claytonii
- climbing false buckwheat Polygonum scandens
- clubmoss Lycopodium ×habereri
- clustered beaksedge Rhynchospora glomerata
- clustered blacksnakeroot Sanicula odorata
- clustered broomrape Orobanche fasciculata
- coastal jointweed Polygonella articulata
- Columbian watermeal Wolffia columbiana
- common bladderwort Utricularia macrorhiza
- common boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
- common milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- common moonseed Menispermum canadense
- common pricklyash Zanthoxylum americanum
- common threeseed mercury Acalypha rhomboidea
- common woodrush Luzula multiflora
- common yellow oxalis Oxalis stricta
- compassplant Silphium laciniatum
- cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Crawe's sedge Carex crawei
- cream pea Lathyrus ochroleucus
- Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum
- Cuman ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya
- curlycup gumweed Grindelia squarrosa
- curlytop knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium
- curvepod fumewort Corydalis curvisiliqua
- cutleaf evening primrose Oenothera laciniata
- cutleaf grapefern Botrychium dissectum
- cutleaf toothwort Cardamine concatenata
- cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
- Davis' sedge Carex davisii
- densetuft hairsedge Bulbostylis capillaris
- desert goosefoot Chenopodium pratericola
- devil's bite Liatris scariosa
- Dillenius' ticktrefoil Desmodium glabellum
- dioecious sedge Carex sterilis
- dogtooth violet Erythronium americanum
- dotted hawthorn Crataegus punctata
- downy gentian Gentiana puberulenta
- downy hawthorn Crataegus mollis
- downy pagoda-plant Blephilia ciliata
- downy phlox Phlox pilosa
- downy rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens
- Drummond's aster Symphyotrichum drummondii
- Drummond's halfchaff sedge Lipocarpha drummondii
- dryspike sedge Carex siccata
- Dudley's rush Juncus dudleyi
- dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria
- dwarf horseweed Conyza ramosissima
- dwarf larkspur Delphinium tricorne
- dwarf red blackberry Rubus pubescens
- earleaf false foxglove Agalinis auriculata
- early buttercup Ranunculus fascicularis
- early goldenrod Solidago juncea
- early meadow-rue Thalictrum dioicum
- earlyleaf brome Bromus latiglumis
- earth loosestrife Lysimachia terrestris
- eastern bottlebrush grass Elymus hystrix
- eastern false rue anemone Enemion biternatum
- eastern greenviolet Hybanthus concolor
- eastern hemlockparsley Conioselinum chinense
- eastern leatherwood Dirca palustris
- eastern marsh fern Thelypteris palustris
- eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans
- eastern prickly gooseberry Ribes cynosbati
- eastern swamp saxifrage Saxifraga pensylvanica
- ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron
- elk sedge Carex garberi
- elliptic spikerush Eleocharis elliptica
- elmleaf goldenrod Solidago ulmifolia
- Engelmann's spikerush Eleocharis engelmannii
- Equisetum ×ferrissii Equisetum ×ferrissii
- erect knotweed Polygonum erectum
- evening campion Silene nivea
- fall phlox Phlox paniculata
- fall witchgrass Digitaria cognata
- false hop sedge Carex lupuliformis
- false mermaidweed Floerkea proserpinacoides
- fan clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum
- feathery false lily of the valley Maianthemum racemosum
- fen grass of Parnassus Parnassia glauca
- fernleaf yellow false foxglove Aureolaria pedicularia
- fescue sedge Carex festucacea
- fetid marigold Dyssodia papposa
- feverwort Triosteum perfoliatum
- fewflower spikerush Eleocharis quinqueflora
- fewleaf sunflower Helianthus occidentalis
- field thistle Cirsium discolor
- fire on the mountain Euphorbia cyathophora
- fire pink Silene virginica
- fiveangled dodder Cuscuta pentagona
- flatleaf bladderwort Utricularia intermedia
- fleshy hawthorn Crataegus succulenta
- floating mannagrass Glyceria septentrionalis
- floating primrose-willow Ludwigia peploides
- Florida mudmidget Wolffiella gladiata
- flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata
- fluxweed Trichostema brachiatum
- fourflower yellow loosestrife Lysimachia quadriflora
- fourpoint evening primrose Oenothera rhombipetala
- foxtail barley Hordeum jubatum
- foxtail sedge Carex alopecoidea
- fragile rockbrake Cryptogramma stelleri
- fragrant bedstraw Galium triflorum
- fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica
- Fraser's marsh St. Johnswort Triadenum fraseri
- Fries' pondweed Potamogeton friesii
- fringed loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata
- fringed willowherb Epilobium ciliatum
- fuzzy wuzzy sedge Carex hirsutella
- gaywings Polygala paucifolia
- giant ironweed Vernonia gigantea
- giant sunflower Helianthus giganteus
- globe beaksedge Rhynchospora recognita
- Gmelin's buttercup Ranunculus gmelinii
- golden hedgehyssop Gratiola aurea
- golden zizia Zizia aurea
- goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis
- grassleaf mudplantain Heteranthera dubia
- grassy arrowhead Sagittaria graminea
- great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Great Plains flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus
- Great Plains lady's tresses Spiranthes magnicamporum
- great ragweed Ambrosia trifida
- great waterleaf Hydrophyllum appendiculatum
- greater fringed gentian Gentianopsis crinita
- greater water dock Rumex orbiculatus
- Greek valerian Polemonium reptans
- green carpetweed Mollugo verticillata
- green comet milkweed Asclepias viridiflora
- green dragon Arisaema dracontium
- green fringed orchid Platanthera lacera
- green milkweed Asclepias hirtella
- Greene's rush Juncus greenei
- grooved flax Linum sulcatum
- groovestem Indian plantain Arnoglossum plantagineum
- hairy beardtongue Penstemon hirsutus
- hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
- hairy fimbry Fimbristylis puberula
- hairy forked nailwort Paronychia fastigiata
- hairy four o'clock Mirabilis hirsuta
- hairy hawkweed Hieracium longipilum
- hairy hedgenettle Stachys pilosa
- hairy pagoda-plant Blephilia hirsuta
- hairy pinweed Lechea mucronata
- hairy Solomon's seal Polygonatum pubescens
- hairy sunflower Helianthus hirsutus
- hairy wildrye Elymus villosus
- hairy woodland brome Bromus pubescens
- hairyjoint meadowparsnip Thaspium barbinode
- hairystem gooseberry Ribes hirtellum
- handsome Harry Rhexia virginica
- harbinger of spring Erigenia bulbosa
- harvestbells Gentiana saponaria
- Hayden's sedge Carex haydenii
- hazel dodder Cuscuta coryli
- heartleaf plantain Plantago cordata
- heartleaf skullcap Scutellaria ovata
- heavy sedge Carex gravida
- hedge false bindweed Calystegia sepium
- Heller's rosette grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes
- hemlock waterparsnip Sium suave
- hoary frostweed Helianthemum bicknellii
- hoary puccoon Lithospermum canescens
- hoary verbena Verbena stricta
- hogwort Croton capitatus
- Holmes' hawthorn Crataegus holmesiana
- Hooker's orchid Platanthera hookeri
- horned bladderwort Utricularia cornuta
- horned pondweed Zannichellia palustris
- horsetail Equisetum ×nelsonii
- hortulan plum Prunus hortulana
- Houghton's flatsedge Cyperus houghtonii
- humped bladderwort Utricularia gibba
- hyssopleaf hedgenettle Stachys aspera
- hyssopleaf hedgenettle Stachys hyssopifolia
- Illinois pondweed Potamogeton illinoensis
- Illinois ticktrefoil Desmodium illinoense
- Indian cucumber Medeola virginiana
- Indian-tobacco Lobelia inflata
- Indianpipe Monotropa uniflora
- inflated narrow-leaf sedge Carex grisea
- intermediate woodfern Dryopteris intermedia
- inundated clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata
- James' sedge Carex jamesii
- Jersey tea Ceanothus herbaceus
- jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
- Kalm's hawkweed Hieracium kalmii
- knotsheath sedge Carex retrorsa
- lace grass Eragrostis capillaris
- lakecress Neobeckia aquatica
- lanceleaf buckthorn Rhamnus lanceolata
- lanceleaf figwort Scrophularia lanceolata
- lanceleaf fogfruit Phyla lanceolata
- lanceleaf sage Salvia reflexa
- lanceleaf wild licorice Galium lanceolatum
- large St. Johnswort Hypericum majus
- largebract ticktrefoil Desmodium cuspidatum
- largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
- largeflower bellwort Uvularia grandiflora
- largeflower tickseed Coreopsis grandiflora
- largefruit blacksnakeroot Sanicula trifoliata
- largepod pinweed Lechea intermedia
- lateflowering thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum
- leafy bulrush Scirpus polyphyllus
- Leggett's pinweed Lechea pulchella
- Leiberg's panicum Dichanthelium leibergii
- lemonyellow false goldenaster Heterotheca camporum
- lesser Canadian St. Johnswort Hypericum canadense
- lesser clearweed Pilea fontana
- lesser duckweed Lemna aequinoctialis
- lesser purple fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes
- lesser roundleaved orchid Platanthera orbiculata
- lesser yellow lady's slipper Cypripedium parviflorum
- licorice bedstraw Galium circaezans
- limber honeysuckle Lonicera dioica
- limestone calamint Clinopodium arkansanum
- little evening primrose Oenothera perennis
- little grapefern Botrychium simplex
- lizard's tail Saururus cernuus
- longbract frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis
- longbranch frostweed Helianthemum canadense
- longflower beeblossom Oenothera filiformis
- longleaf groundcherry Physalis longifolia
- longsepal beardtongue Penstemon calycosus
- longstyle sweetroot Osmorhiza longistylis
- low false bindweed Calystegia spithamaea
- low nutrush Scleria verticillata
- low serviceberry Amelanchier humilis
- lowland bladderfern Cystopteris protrusa
- lowland rotala Rotala ramosior
- lyrate rockcress Arabis lyrata
- Macoun's barley ×Elyhordeum macounii
- male fern Dryopteris filix-mas
- man of the earth Ipomoea pandurata
- manyfruit primrose-willow Ludwigia polycarpa
- mapleleaf goosefoot Chenopodium simplex
- marginal woodfern Dryopteris marginalis
- marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris
- marsh blue violet Viola cucullata
- marsh mermaidweed Proserpinaca palustris
- marsh pea Lathyrus palustris
- marsh skullcap Scutellaria galericulata
- Maryland sanicle Sanicula marilandica
- mat sandbur Cenchrus longispinus
- matted spikerush Eleocharis intermedia
- matting rosette grass Dichanthelium meridionale
- Maximilian sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
- Mead's sedge Carex meadii
- meadow garlic Allium canadense
- meadow spikemoss Selaginella apoda
- meadow willow Salix petiolaris
- meadow zizia Zizia aptera
- Mexican Mosquito Fern Azolla microphylla
- Mexican plum Prunus mexicana
- Michaux's stitchwort Minuartia michauxii
- Michigan lily Lilium michiganense
- minute duckweed Lemna perpusilla
- Missouri gooseberry Ribes missouriense
- Missouri violet Viola missouriensis
- moccasin flower Cypripedium acaule
- Muhlenberg's sedge Carex muehlenbergii
- mullein foxglove Dasistoma macrophylla
- narrowleaf cowwheat Melampyrum lineare
- narrowleaf mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
- narrowleaf paleseed Leucospora multifida
- narrowleaf pinweed Lechea tenuifolia
- narrowleaf pondweed Potamogeton strictifolius
- narrowleaf stoneseed Lithospermum incisum
- narrowleaf vervain Verbena simplex
- neckweed Veronica peregrina
- needle beaksedge Rhynchospora capillacea
- New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- nodding chickweed Cerastium nutans
- nodding onion Allium cernuum
- nodding wakerobin Trillium flexipes
- northern adderstongue Ophioglossum pusillum
- northern bog aster Symphyotrichum boreale
- northern bog violet Viola nephrophylla
- northern bugleweed Lycopus uniflorus
- northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
- northern green rush Juncus alpinoarticulatus
- northern panicgrass Dichanthelium boreale
- northern slender lady's tresses Spiranthes lacera
- northern sweetgrass Hierochloe hirta
- northern water plantain Alisma triviale
- northern wildrice Zizania palustris
- Nottoway Valley brome Bromus nottowayanus
- Nuttall's prairie parsley Polytaenia nuttallii
- obedient plant Physostegia virginiana
- oldpasture bluegrass Poa saltuensis
- oneflowered broomrape Orobanche uniflora
- oneseed bur cucumber Sicyos angulatus
- Ontario blazing star Liatris cylindracea
- Ontario lobelia Lobelia kalmii
- openfield sedge Carex conoidea
- orangefruit horse-gentian Triosteum aurantiacum
- pale beardtongue Penstemon pallidus
- pale dock Rumex altissimus
- pale Indian plantain Arnoglossum atriplicifolium
- palegreen orchid Platanthera flava
- paleleaf woodland sunflower Helianthus strumosus
- palespike lobelia Lobelia spicata
- parasol sedge Carex umbellata
- parasol whitetop Doellingeria umbellata
- Parlin's pussytoes Antennaria parlinii
- partridgeberry Mitchella repens
- pear hawthorn Crataegus calpodendron
- Pennsylvania pellitory Parietaria pensylvanica
- Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica
- pinesap Monotropa hypopitys
- pitcher's stitchwort Minuartia patula
- pitseed goosefoot Chenopodium berlandieri
- plain gentian Gentiana alba
- plains snakecotton Froelichia floridana
- pleatleaf knotweed Polygonum tenue
- pointedleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium glutinosum
- poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix
- poke milkweed Asclepias exaltata
- poorjoe Diodia teres
- poverty dropseed Sporobolus vaginiflorus
- poverty oatgrass Danthonia spicata
- prairie blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium campestre
- prairie goldenrod Oligoneuron album
- prairie groundcherry Physalis hispida
- prairie groundsel Packera plattensis
- prairie ironweed Vernonia fasciculata
- prairie milkweed Asclepias sullivantii
- prairie rose Rosa arkansana
- prairie rosinweed Silphium terebinthinaceum
- prairie sedge Carex prairea
- prairie sunflower Helianthus petiolaris
- prairie tea Croton monanthogynus
- prairie threeawn Aristida oligantha
- prairie violet Viola pedatifida
- pretty sedge Carex woodii
- procession flower Polygala incarnata
- pubescent sedge Carex hirtifolia
- puffsheath dropseed Sporobolus neglectus
- purple false foxglove Agalinis purpurea
- purple giant hyssop Agastache scrophulariifolia
- purple marshlocks Comarum palustre
- purple meadow-rue Thalictrum dasycarpum
- purple meadowparsnip Thaspium trifoliatum
- purple milkweed Asclepias purpurascens
- purple milkwort Polygala sanguinea
- purple pitcherplant Sarracenia purpurea
- purple rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes racemosa
- purple sandgrass Triplasis purpurea
- purplerocket Iodanthus pinnatifidus
- purplestem angelica Angelica atropurpurea
- Pursh seepweed Suaeda calceoliformis
- queen of the prairie Filipendula rubra
- queendevil Hieracium gronovii
- rabbit-tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
- racemed milkwort Polygala polygama
- ramp Allium tricoccum
- rayless alkali aster Symphyotrichum ciliatum
- red baneberry Actaea rubra
- red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- redwhisker clammyweed Polanisia dodecandra
- ribbed sedge Carex virescens
- ribseed sandmat Chamaesyce glyptosperma
- rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
- Richardson's alumroot Heuchera richardsonii
- Richardson's pondweed Potamogeton richardsonii
- Richardson's sedge Carex richardsonii
- richwoods sedge Carex oligocarpa
- rigid sedge Carex tetanica
- robin's plantain Erigeron pulchellus
- rock harlequin Corydalis sempervirens
- rope dodder Cuscuta glomerata
- rose mock vervain Glandularia canadensis
- rosepink Sabatia angularis
- rosy sedge Carex rosea
- rough barnyardgrass Echinochloa muricata
- rough false pennyroyal Hedeoma hispida
- rough hawkweed Hieracium scabrum
- rough rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes aspera
- roughleaf ricegrass Oryzopsis asperifolia
- roundfruit hedgehyssop Gratiola virginiana
- roundleaf sundew Drosera rotundifolia
- roundseed St. Johnswort Hypericum sphaerocarpum
- roundstem false foxglove Agalinis gattingeri
- rue anemone Thalictrum thalictroides
- saltmeadow rush Juncus gerardii
- sand bittercress Cardamine parviflora
- sand violet Viola affinis
- Sartwell's sedge Carex sartwellii
- scaldweed Cuscuta gronovii
- scarlet hawthorn Crataegus pedicellata
- Schuette's hawthorn Crataegus schuettei
- Schweinitz's flatsedge Cyperus schweinitzii
- scrambled eggs Corydalis aurea
- seaside arrowgrass Triglochin maritima
- seaside sandmat Chamaesyce polygonifolia
- seaside threeawn Aristida tuberculosa
- seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
- Seneca snakeroot Polygala senega
- sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis
- sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans
- sessilefruit arrowhead Sagittaria rigida
- sessileleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium sessilifolium
- shining bedstraw Galium concinnum
- shining clubmoss Huperzia lucidula
- shining lady's tresses Spiranthes lucida
- Short's aster Symphyotrichum shortii
- Short's rockcress Arabis shortii
- shortbeak arrowhead Sagittaria brevirostra
- shortbeak sedge Carex brevior
- shortspike watermilfoil Myriophyllum sibiricum
- showy lady's slipper Cypripedium reginae
- showy orchid Galearis spectabilis
- showy ticktrefoil Desmodium canadense
- shrubby fivefingers Sibbaldiopsis tridentata
- shrubby lespedeza Lespedeza frutescens
- sicklepod Arabis canadensis
- sidebells wintergreen Orthilia secunda
- silky dogwood Cornus obliqua
- silver false spleenwort Deparia acrostichoides
- sixweeks fescue Vulpia octoflora
- Skinner's false foxglove Agalinis skinneriana
- skullcap speedwell Veronica scutellata
- skyblue aster Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
- sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
- slender crabgrass Digitaria filiformis
- slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
- slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
- slender looseflower sedge Carex gracilescens
- slender snakecotton Froelichia gracilis
- slender wedgescale Sphenopholis intermedia
- slender yellow woodsorrel Oxalis dillenii
- slender yelloweyed grass Xyris torta
- slenderleaf false foxglove Agalinis tenuifolia
- slickseed fuzzybean Strophostyles leiosperma
- slimflower muhly Muhlenbergia tenuiflora
- slimflower scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum
- slimleaf panicgrass Dichanthelium linearifolium
- slimspike threeawn Aristida longespica
- small green wood orchid Platanthera clavellata
- small pondweed Potamogeton pusillus
- small skullcap Scutellaria parvula
- smallflower false foxglove Agalinis paupercula
- smallflower halfchaff sedge Lipocarpha micrantha
- smooth cliffbrake Pellaea glabella
- smooth forked nailwort Paronychia canadensis
- smooth oxeye Heliopsis helianthoides
- smooth rockcress Arabis laevigata
- smooth rose Rosa blanda
- smooth sawgrass Cladium mariscoides
- smooth Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum
- smooth yellow false foxglove Aureolaria flava
- snakemouth orchid Pogonia ophioglossoides
- snow trillium Trillium nivale
- soft agrimony Agrimonia pubescens
- soft fox sedge Carex conjuncta
- spinulose woodfern Dryopteris carthusiana
- spoonleaf sundew Drosera intermedia
- spotted beebalm Monarda punctata
- spotted geranium Geranium maculatum
- spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
- spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata
- spreading chervil Chaerophyllum procumbens
- spreading dogbane Apocynum androsaemifolium
- spreading sandmat Chamaesyce humistrata
- Sprengel's sedge Carex sprengelii
- spring blue eyed Mary Collinsia verna
- spring forget-me-not Myosotis verna
- squirrel corn Dicentra canadensis
- Standley's goosefoot Chenopodium standleyanum
- star chickweed Stellaria pubera
- starflower Trientalis borealis
- starry false lily of the valley Maianthemum stellatum
- starved panicgrass Dichanthelium depauperatum
- sticky tofieldia Triantha glutinosa
- stiff cowbane Oxypolis rigidior
- stiff sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus
- stiff tickseed Coreopsis palmata
- stiff yellow flax Linum medium
- strict blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium montanum
- striped cream violet Viola striata
- striped prince's pine Chimaphila maculata
- summer coralroot Corallorhiza maculata
- sundial lupine Lupinus perennis
- sunflower Helianthus ×luxurians
- swamp dock Rumex verticillatus
- swamp lousewort Pedicularis lanceolata
- swamp thistle Cirsium muticum
- swamp verbena Verbena hastata
- Swan's sedge Carex swanii
- sweet coneflower Rudbeckia subtomentosa
- sweetscented joe pye weed Eutrochium purpureum
- tall blazing star Liatris aspera
- tall blue lettuce Lactuca biennis
- tall rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes altissima
- tall thimbleweed Anemone virginiana
- tall thistle Cirsium altissimum
- tall thoroughwort Eupatorium altissimum
- tall tickseed Coreopsis tripteris
- tarragon Artemisia dracunculus
- Tennessee bladderfern Cystopteris tennesseensis
- Texas goldentop Euthamia gymnospermoides
- thinleaf sedge Carex cephaloidea
- thinleaf sunflower Helianthus decapetalus
- threadleaf crowfoot Ranunculus trichophyllus
- three-lobe violet Viola triloba
- threeflower melicgrass Melica nitens
- thymeleaf pinweed Lechea minor
- tinted woodland spurge Euphorbia commutata
- toadshade Trillium sessile
- tobacco root Valeriana edulis
- tower rockcress Arabis glabra
- trailing pearlwort Sagina decumbens
- tree groundpine Lycopodium dendroideum
- tuberous grasspink Calopogon tuberosus
- Tuckerman's sedge Carex tuckermanii
- tufted lovegrass Eragrostis pectinacea
- tumble windmill grass Chloris verticillata
- twinflower Linnaea borealis
- twinleaf Jeffersonia diphylla
- twoflower dwarfdandelion Krigia biflora
- twoflower melicgrass Melica mutica
- twoleaf miterwort Mitella diphylla
- twoleaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum
- umbrella flatsedge Cyperus diandrus
- upland boneset Eupatorium sessilifolium
- upright carrionflower Smilax ecirrhata
- variegated scouringrush Equisetum variegatum
- Vasey's rush Juncus vaseyi
- veiny pea Lathyrus venosus
- violet lespedeza Lespedeza violacea
- violet woodsorrel Oxalis violacea
- Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
- Virginia groundcherry Physalis virginiana
- Virginia mountainmint Pycnanthemum virginianum
- Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
- Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
- Virginia springbeauty Claytonia virginica
- Virginia strawberry Fragaria virginiana
- Virginia tephrosia Tephrosia virginiana
- Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
- walking fern Asplenium rhizophyllum
- warty caltrop Kallstroemia parviflora
- warty spurge Euphorbia spathulata
- waterpurslane Didiplis diandra
- watershield Brasenia schreberi
- waxflower shinleaf Pyrola elliptica
- waxyfruit hawthorn Crataegus pruinosa
- waxyleaf meadow-rue Thalictrum revolutum
- western rockjasmine Androsace occidentalis
- western tansymustard Descurainia pinnata
- western waterweed Elodea nuttallii
- whip nutrush Scleria triglomerata
- whip-poor-will flower Trillium cernuum
- white baneberry Actaea pachypoda
- white beaksedge Rhynchospora alba
- white bear sedge Carex albursina
- white blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium albidum
- white colicroot Aletris farinosa
- white fawnlily Erythronium albidum
- white four o'clock Mirabilis albida
- white goldenrod Solidago bicolor
- white heath aster Symphyotrichum ericoides
- white lady's slipper Cypripedium candidum
- white rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes alba
- white snakeroot Ageratina altissima
- white trillium Trillium grandiflorum
- white turtlehead Chelone glabra
- white vervain Verbena urticifolia
- whiteflower leafcup Polymnia canadensis
- whitehair rosette grass Dichanthelium villosissimum
- whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
- whitetinge sedge Carex albicans
- wholeleaf rosinweed Silphium integrifolium
- whorl-leaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum verticillatum
- whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata
- whorled milkwort Polygala verticillata
- whorled mountainmint Pycnanthemum verticillatum
- whorled yellow loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia
- widowsfrill Silene stellata
- wild cucumber Echinocystis lobata
- wild quinine Parthenium integrifolium
- wild yam Dioscorea villosa
- willowleaf aster Symphyotrichum praealtum
- winged lythrum Lythrum alatum
- winged pigweed Cycloloma atriplicifolium
- wingstem Verbesina alternifolia
- wiry panicgrass Panicum flexile
- witchgrass Panicum capillare
- woman's tobacco Antennaria plantaginifolia
- wood anemone Anemone quinquefolia
- wood lily Lilium philadelphicum
- woodbine Parthenocissus vitacea
- woodland flax Linum virginianum
- woodland lettuce Lactuca floridana
- woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca
- woodland sunflower Helianthus divaricatus
- woolly sedge Carex pellita
- woolly tidestromia Tidestromia lanuginosa
- woollyfruit sedge Carex lasiocarpa
- yellow avens Geum aleppicum
- yellow coralroot Corallorhiza trifida
- yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris
- yellow giant hyssop Agastache nepetoides
- yellow pimpernel Taenidia integerrima
- yellow screwstem Bartonia virginica
- yellow water buttercup Ranunculus flabellaris
- yellow widelip orchid Liparis loeselii
- yellowfruit sedge Carex annectens
- yellowseed false pimpernel Lindernia dubia
Also listed as native and introduced here 3
PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.
- annual ragweedAmbrosia artemisiifolia
- common reedPhragmites australis
- Kentucky bluegrassPoa pratensis
Compared with Illinois
The typical county is the median of the 102 Illinois counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.
| Measure | Cook County | Typical county | Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native species | 1,185 | 641 | 1,909 |
| Garden-ready natives | 462 | 272 | 652 |
| Tree | 107 | — | 187 |
| Shrub | 58 | — | 96 |
| Wildflower (forb) | 683 | — | 1,015 |
| Grass or grass-like | 259 | — | 444 |
| Vine | 39 | — | 79 |
| Fern | 39 | — | 88 |
Neighboring counties
Counties that share a ZIP code with Cook County.
- DuPage County, IL 362 garden-ready
- Kane County, IL 360 garden-ready
- Lake County, IL 413 garden-ready
- McHenry County, IL 339 garden-ready
- Will County, IL 372 garden-ready
Source & data date
- Source
- USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).
- Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.
- USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
- Citation
- USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
- Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
- Data date
- Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
- Zones
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
- Scope
- Cook County (county FIPS 17031), Illinois. 1,185 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
- Method
- A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources