This research program was initiated in 1999 as part of an SDSU Agricultural Experiment Station funded program in the laboratory of Dr. R. Neil Reese. This project is designed to provide research and educational opportunities to students interested in conservation and utilization of native plant species, as well as encourage the use of native plants by small family farmers as alternative crops in South Dakota.
- To locate a plant by the Native American name, or common name use the search box in the left side-bar.
- A glossary of terms used in this collection can be found here.
- Some items contain supplemental images documenting the life cycle of the plant.
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Asclepias pumila
R. Neil Reese
Asclepias pumila is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 8 cm to 25 cm in height. This species is commonly found at low elevations, chiefly the Hogback, Red Valley, and low limestone areas of the Black Hills. The leaves are alternating in a spiral on the stems, some in whorls. Asclepias pumila has white to whitish-green colored flowers that bloom from July to August.
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Asclepias tuberosa
R. Neil Reese
Asclepias tuberosa is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 3 dm to 9 dm in height. This species is commonly found in sandy prairies and open woolands. The leaves are alternating; blade linear-to ovate-lanceolate, and ascending to spreading. Asclepias tuberosa has green to purple-tinged, with orange as well, flowers that bloom from May to August.
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Astragalus ceramicus
R. Neil Reese
Astragalus ceramicus is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 3 to 40 cm in height. This species is commonly found in the Nebraska region and is rarely found elsewhere in the Great Plains. The leaves are alternating odd-pinnate or usually reduced to rachis, some are lower leaves with leaflets. Astragalus ceramicus has whitish or purplish flowers that bloom from June to July.
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Astragalus crassicarpus
R. Neil Reese
Astragalus crassicarpus is a(n) annual and perennial herbaceous, which grows 1 dm to 6 dm in height. This species is commonly found land in the Great Plains, Manitoba, Missouri, Texas, Montana, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Minnesota. The leaves are alternate. Astragalus crassicarpus has raspberry pink purple flowers that bloom from April to June.
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Bouteloua hirsuta
R. Neil Reese
Bouteloua hirsuta is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 10 cm to 45 cm in height. This species is commonly found in dry sandy, gravely, or rocky soils of foothills where it often occurs with blue grama. The leaves are shap-pointed and weekly involute to flat. Bouteloua hirsuta has green to grey-green flowers that bloom from June to September.
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Buchloe dactyloides
R. Neil Reese
Buchloe dactyloides is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 7 cm to 15 cm in height. This species is commonly found and often abundant in mixed grasses and shortgrass prairies of foothills and lower elevations, especially in heavy soils, often codominant with blue grama. The leaves are flat and sheaths smooth to sparsely pubescent. Buchloe dactyloides has green to greyish-green flowers that bloom from June to September.
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Caltha palustris
R. Neil Reese
Caltha palustris is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 2 dm to 6 dm in height. This species is commonly found in wet woods, marshes, and bogs, often rooted in shallow water. The leaves are basal and alternate, reduced upward, the blades are reniform to neraly circular and cordate at the base. Caltha palustris has yellow flowers that bloom from April to May.
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Calylophus serrulatus
R. Neil Reese
Calylophus serrulatus is a(n) perennial subshrub, which grows 5 cm to 40 cm in height. This species is commonly found from low to high elvevations throughout the Hills area; mixed grass prairie (especially barren or eroded areas), open pine forests, dry rocky slopes, and limestone outcrops. The leaves are lenear to linear-lanceolate or narrowly oblanceolate, shallowly toothed, and often folded along the midrib. Calylophus serrulatus has yellow flowers that bloom from June to August.
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Celastrus scandens
R. Neil Reese
Celastrus scandens is a(n) perennial vine, which grows 12 to 18 m in height. This species is commonly found in woodlands, hillsides, and roadsides. The leaves are alternate and simple. Celastrus scandens has unisexual, green flowers that bloom from May to June.
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Clematis ligusticifolia
R. Neil Reese
Clematis ligusticifolia is a(n) perennial vine, which grows 4 cm to 11 cm in height. This species is commonly found climbing on road banks, in bushes and in trees in a variet of habitats. The leaves are pinnately compound mostly with 5-7 leaflets, the leaflets coarsely toothed, variable in shape but usually lance-ovate in general outline. Clematis ligusticifolia has cream colored flowers that bloom from July to August.
