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Plants of Kentucky

The plants most often spotted in Kentucky, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

159,407
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 159,407 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the Christmas Fern, with 5,496 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Kentucky

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
5,496 observations
Virginia Springbeauty
Claytonia virginica
5,394 observations
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
5,356 observations
Common Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
4,933 observations
Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
4,602 observations
Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
4,301 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
4,297 observations
Dwarf Larkspur
Delphinium tricorne
4,207 observations · iNaturalist
American Tuliptree
Liriodendron tulipifera
4,154 observations
Rue Anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides
4,015 observations
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Cardamine concatenata
3,672 observations
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
3,529 observations
Red Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum
3,476 observations · iNaturalist
White Snakeroot
Ageratina altissima
3,452 observations
Fortune's Spindle
Euonymus fortunei
3,399 observations · iNaturalist
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
3,299 observations
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
3,296 observations
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
3,286 observations
Common Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
3,192 observations
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
3,149 observations
Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
3,121 observations
Crane-fly Orchid
Tipularia discolor
3,101 observations · iNaturalist
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
3,074 observations
Ground-ivy
Glechoma hederacea
3,072 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
2,940 observations
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
2,921 observations
Woodland Stonecrop
Sedum ternatum
2,918 observations
Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana
2,821 observations
Butterweed
Packera glabella
2,800 observations · iNaturalist
White Clover
Trifolium repens
2,785 observations
Box Elder
Acer negundo
2,758 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
2,749 observations
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
2,684 observations
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
2,680 observations
American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
2,644 observations
Mock Strawberry
Potentilla indica
2,548 observations · iNaturalist
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
2,538 observations
Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
2,531 observations
Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
2,520 observations
Celandine Poppy
Chelidonium diphyllum
2,512 observations · iNaturalist
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
2,443 observations
Toadshade
Trillium sessile
2,424 observations
American Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
2,378 observations
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera pubescens
2,310 observations
Ebony Spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
2,307 observations
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
2,295 observations
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
2,270 observations
Common Selfheal
Prunella vulgaris
2,267 observations · iNaturalist
Dutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
2,258 observations
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
2,233 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.

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