New native plant species discovered in 2021

Columbus, Ohio- The number of native plant species in Ohio has increased by five in 2021. The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP) of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has successfully located the most rare from the state last year.

“Discoveries of rare plants are exciting for the future conservation of our state,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s been another great year for our botanical community, as nature continues to surprise and inspire us.”
Botanists have found several new plant species native to Ohio, including:

• Dodge Hawthorn (Crataegus dodgei) was found in Portage County.
• Hairy-lipped fern (Myriopteris lanosa) was discovered in Lawrence County.
• beautiful shad (Amelanchier amabilis) was discovered in Cuyahoga County.
• Provancher’s fleabane (Eurasian philadelphicus var. provancheri) was found in Ottawa County.
• Yellowish white blister (Utricularia ochroleuca) was discovered in Clark and Champaign counties.

“Finding new species and populations of rare plants is not only rewarding for discoverers and exciting for the botanical community, it is of crucial importance for their protection,” said ODNR’s Chief Botanist, Rick Gardner. “This gives us the opportunity to investigate, monitor and target efforts to protect them and ensures a more accurate understanding of the status of the species as a whole.”

In addition to new native plants, botanists have found a plant presumed extinct in 2021, tortilla moss (Tilted Tortella) in Ottawa County. He was last seen in the 1990s.

Tilted Tortella

Other notable finds included more than a dozen endangered species, such as Coville’s scorpion (Phacelia colvillei), small-flowered scorpion (Phacelia dubia), primrose-leaved violet (Viola primulifolia), mugwort water plantain (Ranunculus ambigens) and spiny sedge (Echinata sedge).
These startling discoveries show that there are still important discoveries to be made in Ohio’s landscapes and natural communities. For more information on Ohio’s rare plants, click here.

The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves administers the Ohio Rare Plant List which currently contains over 600 species. Ohioans can donate all or part of their state income tax returns to support DNAP’s efforts in inventorying and monitoring these rare plants, as well as improving and restoring them. of their habitats. For more information on how to donate, visit the ODNR website.

Contributions may also be made year-round by check mailed to the Natural Areas and Preserves Division of the ODNR, 2045 Morse Road, Building H-3, Columbus, OH 43229.

The ODNR ensures a balance between the rational use and the protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

Amelanchier amabilis