Places › National Historical Parks › C&O Canal › Plants

Plants of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The plants most often spotted in C&O Canal, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

114,627
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 114,627 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in C&O Canal. The most frequently seen is the Virginia Springbeauty, with 4,232 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in C&O Canal

Virginia Springbeauty
Claytonia virginica
4,232 observations
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
3,876 observations
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
3,684 observations
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
3,662 observations
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
3,629 observations
Wineberry
Rubus phoenicolasius
3,555 observations
Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
3,522 observations
Common Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
3,328 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
3,182 observations
Lesser Celandine
Ficaria verna
3,175 observations · iNaturalist
American Tuliptree
Liriodendron tulipifera
2,953 observations
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
2,682 observations
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
2,660 observations
Ground-ivy
Glechoma hederacea
2,642 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
2,639 observations
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
2,599 observations
Box Elder
Acer negundo
2,495 observations
Eastern Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
2,491 observations
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Cardamine concatenata
2,471 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
2,338 observations
Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
2,301 observations
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
2,270 observations
Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
2,146 observations
American Jumpseed
Persicaria virginiana
2,137 observations · iNaturalist
Mock Strawberry
Potentilla indica
2,047 observations · iNaturalist
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
2,016 observations
Porcelain Berry
Ampelopsis glandulosa
2,000 observations · iNaturalist
American Holly
Ilex opaca
1,961 observations
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
1,925 observations
Common Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
1,910 observations
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
1,862 observations
Red Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum
1,782 observations · iNaturalist
Star Chickweed
Stellaria pubera
1,734 observations · iNaturalist
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
1,713 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
1,709 observations
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
1,703 observations
Yellow Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum
1,697 observations
Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilis
1,684 observations
Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
1,675 observations
Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
1,620 observations
Beefsteak Plant
Perilla frutescens
1,603 observations · iNaturalist
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
1,559 observations
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
1,518 observations
Japanese Stiltgrass
Microstegium vimineum
1,503 observations · iNaturalist
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
1,493 observations
Rue Anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides
1,480 observations
Common Ivy
Hedera helix
1,460 observations
Low Smartweed
Persicaria longiseta
1,456 observations · iNaturalist
Tree-of-heaven
Ailanthus altissima
1,439 observations
White Clover
Trifolium repens
1,409 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Plants in nearby places

Out spotting plants in C&O Canal?

Take Huck with you. Identify any plant you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.