List of West Virginia Rare Plants
- The Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia are home to many rare plants.trees and rocks image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
Known as "The Mountain State," the rugged topography of the Appalachian mountain range defines the state. Many of the heavily forested areas of the state fall within protected parklands, such as George Washington National Forest and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, providing ample habitat for the many endemic and rare plant species that live there. - White monkshood (Aconitum reclinatum) is a delicate, trailing herbaceous plant native to the mountains of West Virginia. Commonly found along streams and near springs, it thrives in moist areas with dappled sunlight and protection from the wind. White monkshood has dark green leaves that are deeply cleft into three to five sections, growing along slender vining stalks. The flowers are 3/4-inch long and creamy white, with a distinctive helmet-shaped upper petal. It blooms from June until September.
- Earleaf false-foxglove (Agalinis auriculata) is an annual, flowering plant once common throughout West Virginia. Habitat loss has reduced its numbers and now it is rarely seen, although specimens are known to exist in a few Appalachian meadows and wooded areas. Earleaf false-foxglove grows between 6 and 36 inches in height, with lance-shaped purplish leaves and tubular, pale violet flowers. It is a semi-parasitic plant, relying on the root systems of nearby plants to provide some of its nutritional needs.
- Northern witchgrass (Dichanthelium boreale), an upright-growing, herbaceous perennial, favors the moist conditions and acidic soil of West Virginia's pine forests. It is rare in West Virginia due to overgrazing. Sometimes called rosette grass for its distinctive winter rosette form, Northern witchgrass can grow to 36 inches in height with small, airy flowers that emerge from July until September. The flowers do not open and are self-pollinating.
- Appalachian gentian (Gentiana austromontana) is an herbaceous perennial flower native to the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. It is a medium-size plant that grows to 15-inches tall, with wide, lance-shaped leaves and large, blue-violet flowers that emerge in July and August. It is listed as a threatened species in West Virginia and is found only in protected areas.
- Appalachian blazing-star (Liatris turgida) is an herbaceous perennial flower found exclusively in the shale barrens in West Virginia. It prefers dry soil and full sun, although specimens are found in shaded woodlands, as well. It grows to 3 feet in height with alternate, lance-shaped leaves and abundant pinkish-white flowers that emerge in August and September. Fine hair or bristles cover the stem and leaves.
