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Plants of Kentucky

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

159,030
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 159,030 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the Christmas Fern, with 5,470 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Kentucky

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
5,470 observations
Virginia Springbeauty
Claytonia virginica
5,393 observations
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
5,355 observations
Common Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
4,923 observations
Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
4,601 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
4,291 observations
Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
4,283 observations
Dwarf Larkspur
Delphinium tricorne
4,197 observations · iNaturalist
American Tuliptree
Liriodendron tulipifera
4,144 observations
Rue Anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides
4,011 observations
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Cardamine concatenata
3,672 observations
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
3,522 observations
Red Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum
3,474 observations · iNaturalist
White Snakeroot
Ageratina altissima
3,433 observations
Fortune's Spindle
Euonymus fortunei
3,373 observations · iNaturalist
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
3,296 observations
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
3,287 observations
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
3,280 observations
Common Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
3,189 observations
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
3,146 observations
Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
3,107 observations
Crane-fly Orchid
Tipularia discolor
3,087 observations · iNaturalist
Ground-ivy
Glechoma hederacea
3,070 observations · iNaturalist
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
3,059 observations
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
2,934 observations
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
2,920 observations
Woodland Stonecrop
Sedum ternatum
2,910 observations
Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana
2,813 observations
Butterweed
Packera glabella
2,795 observations · iNaturalist
White Clover
Trifolium repens
2,780 observations
Box Elder
Acer negundo
2,752 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
2,746 observations
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
2,678 observations
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
2,673 observations
American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
2,630 observations
Mock Strawberry
Potentilla indica
2,543 observations · iNaturalist
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
2,536 observations
Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
2,521 observations
Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
2,512 observations
Celandine Poppy
Chelidonium diphyllum
2,507 observations · iNaturalist
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
2,424 observations
Toadshade
Trillium sessile
2,423 observations
American Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
2,371 observations
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera pubescens
2,303 observations
Ebony Spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
2,303 observations
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
2,293 observations
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
2,267 observations
Common Selfheal
Prunella vulgaris
2,260 observations · iNaturalist
Dutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
2,255 observations
Lyreleaf Sage
Salvia lyrata
2,218 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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