National Capital Parks-East - Wildflowers

Wildflowers (including all families of vascular plants not included in the groups listed above) comprise the largest number of plant species in National Capital Parks-East (NACE). Of these, the Asteraceae comprise the largest family with 117 species documented. Other common wildflower families are the Fabaceae (bean family) with 42 species, the Lamiaceae (mint family) with 30 species and the Scrophulariaceae (figwort family) with 27 species. Wildflower species with state endangered status that occur within NACE jurisdiction include Auricled Gerardia (Agalinis auriculata), Blunt-leaved Spurge (Euphorbia obtusata), Potato Dandelion (Krigia dandelion), Carolina Spinypod Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis), Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula), Swamp Lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata), Rustling Wild-petunia (Ruellia strepens), and Veined Skullcap (Scutellaria nervosa).