Question: Spring is here! I need help identifying wildflowers.
Research:
What a great way to become familiar with our native flora! First, it’s
a good idea to familiarize yourself with the “rare and vulnerable plant
species” of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma
Biological Survey and remember to collect a flower only if you can see
more of the same nearby. If you’re using photos to document your findings,
that’s even better – that way you won’t have to ask landowners
for permission to gather from their property.
Start with the World Book Encyclopedia if you need to brush up on flower and seed basics and make sure you have a good identification guide to take with you.
The library owns several great guides for you to use. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers and the Field Guide to Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-Central North America are both good resources to start with. Others that may help are Oklahoma Wildflowers, Roadside Flowers of Oklahoma, and Wild Flowers of the United States.
If it turns out the guide you need is checked out, try some of the library’s gardening books. Many gardeners use native flora in their yards. Search the catalog for these books using native plant gardening, wild flower gardening or just wild flowers as subjects.
If you’re interested in going the online route, trythe Native Plant Information Network from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center which you can search by plant name, region, state, etc., as well as the Oklahoma Biological Survey. In the Oklahoma site, it’s okay if you don’t know the name, just search by color! Kansas State University’s Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses page is also searchable by color or common name and will cover many of the plants you can find around here.
If you’ve exhausted our resources and still have some specimens you’re having trouble identifying, consider contacting a Naturalist at the Oxley Nature Center (669-6653) here in Tulsa! Now, where is that bug spray?
If you have any questions, contact your local library or ask a librarian!