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Hunter, Carl G.  Wildflowers of Arkansas,  4^th edition. Published by the Ozark Society, ISBN 0-912456-17-5

Highly recommended for beginner or experienced native plant enthusiast. The best wildflower book we've ever seen, many superb photographs, well organized.

Hunter, Carl G. Trees, Shrubs, & Vines of Arkansas. Published by the Ozark Society, ISBN 0-912456-11-6

The companion book to Wildflowers of Arkansas, equally outstanding. Multiple photographs of many species, to show both leaves and fruits. Also highly recommended, for both beginners and experts.

Hunter, Carl G. Trees, Autumn Leaves & Winter Berries in Arkansas. Published by the Ozark Society, ISBN 0-912456-20-5

A smaller booklet, but with the usual excellent photography and high quality. As many of the photographs of berries and fruits are also shown in Trees, Shrubs, & Vines of Arkansas, it is listed mostly for completeness.

Taylor, W. Carl, Arkansas Ferns and Fern Allies. Published by the Milwaukee Public Museum, ISBN 0-89326-097-5

More technical, as is required for the ferns and related plants. Line drawings, but no photographs. This book is unfortunately out of print but used copies may be available.

Smith, Edwin B., Keys to the Flora of Arkansas. Published by the University of Arkansas Press, ISBN 1-55728-312-5

Indispensable for the serious enthusiast or botanist who wishes to key out Arkansas plants, but very technical and not recommended for beginners.

Smith, Edwin B., An Atlas and Annotated List of the Vascular Plants of Arkansas,   2^nd edition. Published independently, no ISBN. Might try college bookstores.

Also somewhat technical, useful mostly for anyone who wants to know in which counties of the state a plant has been spotted.

Clark, G. Thomas, Winter Twigs of Arkansas. Published by Rose Publishing Co., ISBN 0-914546-35-X

Moderately technical, some knowledge of technical terms good but still useful for the serious beginner who wants to identify trees in winter.

Moore, Dwight M., Trees of Arkansas,  3^rd edition

Issued by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, no ISBN. Library of Congress number 74-622532. Might try college bookstores.

Moderately technical, but useful for serious beginners as well as more experienced enthusiasts. Dwight Moore, in addition to his own publications and books, taught several of the other authors in this list and is one of the giants of Arkansas botany.

Niering, William A. and Olmstead, Nancy C., The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflower, Eastern Region, published by Chanticleer Press (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.), ISBN 0-394-50432-1

Not specific to Arkansas, but many Arkansas species are shown and described. The photography is not as good as the Hunter books but it is a good general reference.

Denison, Edgar, Missouri Wildflowers, 4^th edition, published by the Missouri Department of Conservation, no ISBN. Library of Congress number 90-621804.

Again not specific to Arkansas, but many Arkansas species are shown. This is an older book and the photography is poor by today's standards.

Slaughter, Carl R., Wild Orchids of Arkansas. Publisher unknown, ISBN 0-9638497-0-0

Shows only the 40-odd orchids found in Arkansas. The photographs are full-page and superb. This is a book to keep at home and enjoy - one would never want to risk damaging it by using it in the field.

Steyermark, Julian A., Flora of Missouri, 2^nd edition, 1996. Published by Iowa State University Press, ISBN 8013806550.

Another book not intended for Arkansas but worthwhile because so many species are found in both Missouri and Arkansas. Rather technical, and more expensive too - probably not for the beginner. Currently listed as "out of stock permanently" by most bookstores, a secondhand copy might be available through used bookstores.

 

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

The ANHC covers more than just plants but is worthy of special mention because they own and maintain more than 50 natural areas around the state, and monitor the status of various plants in Arkansas. They have information on rare, threatened, and endangered plants in the state as well as on plants found in their natural areas.

1500 Tower Building

323 Center Street

Little Rock, AR 72201 Internet: ANHC

Other organizations focusing on conservation, nature, or the outdoors while not dedicated to Arkansas native plants also have much to offer, including field trips or meetings devoted to native plants. Some of these are The Ozark Society, The Nature Conservancy, and The Audubon Society.