Top 20 Most Common Plants in St. Louis

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in St. Louis

In St. Louis, you can find Amur honeysuckle, Pokeweed, Virginia creeper, Eastern redbud, Poison ivy, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Amur honeysuckle

1. Amur honeysuckle

Amur honeysuckle is a massively-branched, perennial shrub with dark green leaves, aromatic white flowers, and luscious burgundy berries that are inedible to humans but relished by birds propagating the seeds. This East Asian native shrub has been utilized in landscape decoration, wildlife cover, and erosion control. However, it is no longer recommended for planting due to invasiveness issues.

Pokeweed

Although its berries look juicy and tempting, the fruits and the root of pokeweed are toxic and should not be eaten. Pokeweed is considered a pest species by farmers but is nevertheless often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries can be made into pokeberry ink as well.

Virginia creeper

3. Virginia creeper

The virginia creeper is a North American vine from the grape family that has it all - vigorous growth, fragrant flowers, decorative blue-colored berries, and leaves that turn crimson in the fall. Using small forked tendrils with adhesive pads, the virginia creeper will cling strongly to almost all surfaces. It can grow over entire walls, providing shelter and food for wildlife.

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Eastern redbud

4. Eastern redbud

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.

Poison ivy

In pop culture, poison ivy is a symbol of an obnoxious weed because, despite its unthreatening looks, it gives a highly unpleasant contact rash to the unfortunate person who touches it. Still, it is commonly eaten by many animals, and the seeds are a favorite with birds. The leaves turn bright red in fall. Its sister species, Western poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii), is not considered to be invasive in the United States, but is noxious in Australia and New Zealand.

White snakeroot

6. White snakeroot

When you're around white snakeroot, it is a good idea to exercise caution. This plant contains a toxin called tremetol which causes a potentially fatal illness. What’s more, if animals who are lactating eat white snakeroot, the tremetol is secreted in the milk and can be passed on to humans in this way. Many early European settlers are suspected to have died of this so-called "milk-sickness" before they understood the plant's hazards.

Mulberry

A unique and easy-to-grow edible landscaping plant, the mulberry is prized for its tasty fruits as well as its exquisite ornamental appeal. Originally native to China, this plant was valued for its role in silk production: silkworms will only eat the leaves of mulberry trees, making them crucial for the product's creation. Ultimately, the trees were sold around the world and are used today in different countries that produce silk.

Mayapple

With only two leaves and one flower, the mayapple is showy and unique. The name stems from the blooming time in the Northern Hemisphere and the fact that the flowers resemble those of apple trees. The fruit of the mayapple that develops over the summer can, if fully ripened, be used in jams and jellies, while the unripe fruit and other parts of this plant are all poisonous and could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma.

Box elder

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a type of maple tree native to North America, but which is now found throughout the world. It is a hardy, medium-to-large tree that grows quickly and has a relatively short lifespan of up to 60 years. Older trees are prone to storm damage. Box elder wood is relatively flimsy because the tree grows so fast.

Virginia springbeauty

10. Virginia springbeauty

Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica) has tiny underground tubers (kind of like potatoes) that taste like chestnuts and are utterly delicious. Early American colonists consumed them, but only when they were desperate because it took a lot of time to collect enough for a meal. Its genus name is in honor of John Clayton, who made essential contributions to the study of plants.

Sweetgum

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.

Wintercreeper

12. Wintercreeper

Euonymus fortunei, commonly known as wintercreeper, is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. Wintercreeper is an ornamental plant, often used as a groundcover and climbing plant, due to its ability to grow like a vine. It is regarded as an invasive species in many parts of North America.

Purple coneflower

13. Purple coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herb native to North America that flourishes in prairie environments or open wooded areas. The purple coneflower makes a good addition to a flower bed or garden because its blooms last the whole summer and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Golden pothos

14. Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Rose of sharon

15. Rose of sharon

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Silver maple

16. Silver maple

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States and southeast Canada. It is a 15 to 25 m tall, fast-growing, sun-loving tree. Its leaves have deeper angular notches between the five lobes than many other maple species. Silver maple is often found along waterways and wetlands, earning it an alternative name 'Water maple'.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Common sassafras

18. Common sassafras

Common sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous tree commonly found on woodland edges, fields, along roadsides, and fence rows. This plant has a long history of use in Native American traditions, most commonly for culinary purposes. Common sassafras root was also a key flavoring for homemade root beers in the past, though the use is largely discontinued due to concerns that the safrole contained within is carcinogenic.

Flowering dogwood

19. Flowering dogwood

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small North American tree renowned for its wide canopy and plentiful spring blooms. Individual white or pink “flower” is actually a flower head that contains four oval bracts and a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers. Because of its decorative canopy, prolific spring blooming, and attractive red autumn leaves and berries, it is the most popular native tree in US gardens.

American Burnweed

20. American Burnweed

Leaves on american Burnweed are similar in appearance to some varieties of lettuce, except it emits an unpleasant odor. It is often found growing in burned areas, hence the common name for the plant is American Burnweed.

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North America > United States > Missouri > St. Louis

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More Plants in St. Louis

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Nestled by the Mississippi River, St. Louis, Missouri, benefits from a rich botanical variance ascribed to its moist, fertile soils, yet this environmental blessing equally serves as a crucible for toxic flora such as , , and . Amidst the mosaic of urban and green spaces, a dialogue emerges on managing these hazardous species. Efforts to curtail their spread are pivotal in safeguarding public health and preserving the native ecological harmony.

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Most Common Flowers

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As St. Louis sheds its wintry cloak, Spring's gentle reawakening nurtures the cityscape into a canvas of color. The , with its vivacious blooms, punctuates the urban greenery, symbolizing new beginnings. The follows, forming a vibrant tapestry along boulevards, embodying the city's enduring spirit. Lastly, emerges, its blossoms revered in local lore, heralding the full swing of the season. Together, they form St. Louis's signature mosaic of springtime renewal.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in St. Louis blossoms with life, invigorating the cityscape and promising a bounty of urban-grown delights. Amidst this rejuvenation, trees unfurl their petals, forecasting a sweet season ahead. , another prolific bearer, adds an interactive zest to community gardens. The iconic stands as a testament to the enduring love for home-grown flavors that characterizes the city's connection to nature's gifts.

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Most Common Fruits

Nestled within St. Louis's continental climate zone, generous summers and mild winters create a haven for urban fruit plants like , , and . The city's tapestry of parks and community gardens, integrated within its cultural milieu, serves as fertile ground for these species. Encouraged by local green initiatives, these fruit bearers not only dot the urban landscape but also enhance community bonding and underscore the city's commitment to green urbanism.

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Most Common Trees

St. Louis, Missouri, United States boasts a dynamic urban greenscape that thrives amidst the bustling cityscape. The city's unique environmental conditions have paved the way for the existence of native trees such as , , and . These quintessential trees not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the city but also contribute to its cultural and ecological identity. Through their presence, they exemplify the harmonious coexistence of nature and urban development in St. Louis.

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Most Common Weeds

In the verdant expanses of St. Louis, Missouri, intertwining with the very fabric of its urban gardens, the perennial rebels persist. The city's humid continental climate, fostering brisk summers and chilly winters, serves as an unwitting cradle for invasive flora. Pervasive , stubborn , and resilient ubiquitously claim dominion, posing constant challenges to the meticulous stewardship of local greenery. These weeds intertwine with the landscape, becoming almost as emblematic as the city's iconic Gateway Arch.

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Most Common Tall Trees

In the climatically diverse St. Louis, where hot summers and cold winters shape the flora, the urban landscape is punctuated with green retreats that host remarkable trees. Among these, the commanding imbues grandeur into city parks, while the towering stands as a symbol of ecological resilience. The legendary is steeped in local lore, gracing the skyline and mesmerizing residents with their formidable presence and environmental contributions.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

In St. Louis, Missouri, United States, three typical winter blooming species can be found, namely , , and . The features delicate, feather-like leaves and vibrant, disc-shaped blooms, thriving in cooler winters characteristic of St. Louis. It usually blooms from late summer through the end of winter. The also flourishes during the winter months, producing clusters of compact, colorful flowers. This succulent plant prefers the drier, colder conditions of the indoors during this time of year in St. Louis. The also blooms in winter, displaying a range of light and dark pink flowers, which are accentuated by the stark contrasts of the snowy Missouri winters. The prevailing cool winters and well-drained soils of St. Louis aid in the survival and growth of these flowering plant species.

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