The ecologically diverse regions of the Ozark Plateau, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains and the Gulf Coastal Plain allow for a rich and varied plant life in the state of Arkansas. In 1999, the Arkansas Vascular Flora Committee embarked on an ambitious mission to count and catalog every plant in the state. As of 2007, the project has identified more than 2,700 different species.
Approximately half of the Arkansas landscape is forested. Hardwood trees such as oak and hickory are common to the Ozark Mountain region, as are flowering dogwoods and redbud trees. The Ouachita Mountains contain a mixture of pine trees and hardwoods. The fruit of the indigenous mayapple tree was used by Native Americans for its medicinal properties and modern scientists believe it may be beneficial in the fight against cancer. And the pink and white bloom of the apple blossom tree is the state's official flower.
The oakleaf hydrangea and the Hydrangea arborescens are both native to Arkansas. These shrubs shoot up to 6 feet tall and produce clusters of tiny, white flowers. Azaleas are also indigenous to the state. Sweet azaleas blossoms range from pink to white, while the flame azaleas produce yellow and orange blooms. The flowering Stern's medlar, which grows in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, may be Arkansas' rarest plant. This large shrub with its white flowers is not believed to occur anywhere else. And 11 varieties of wild dewberries and blackberries thrive in Arkansas. The director of University of Arkansas' Herbarium, Johnnie Gentry, however, believes there may many more undiscovered berry species in the state.
More than 600 species of wildflowers bloom throughout the various regions of Arkansas. White spider lilies, pale pink downy phlox, purple coneflowers and white or pink showy evening primrose are just a few. The Arkansas blue star is a hardy native perennial that reaches up to 3 feet in height and produces clusters of pale blue flowers. Other perennials that are common to Arkansas are peonies, coral bells, columbine and sweet William.
Several native Arkansas plants are in danger of extinction. The geocarpon, or earth fruit, grows in the "saline prairie regions" of southern Arkansas. This tiny succulent turns bright magenta as its fruits ripen. Also in the south, the woody shrub Pondberry produces yellow flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall. In the north, the Missouri bladderpod stands between 4 to 8 inches and sprouts tiny yellow flowers. Arkansas is also home to the endangered wild herb harperella. This herb sprouts tiny white flowers and emits a dill-like fragrance.
The Arkansas Vascular Flora Project found more than 50 varieties of toxic plants growing in the state. Poison ivy and poison oak, which are common in Arkansas as in other parts of the country, can cause skin irritation, while buttercups, daffodils and holly cause moderate to severe stomach upset if eaten. But the beefsteak plant is lethal if ingested. Therefore, this Asian wildflower, which has invaded as much as two-thirds of the state, poses a significant threat to Arkansas cattle farmers.
