Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin Biotic Inventory Projects

10 Largest Plant Families

Managers: WIS
To view additional family lists, use the BROWSE feature on the homepage. Select a family, then a descendant species page, now click 'View Parent Taxon' (or the upward pointing arrow) to see other species in the same genus or other genera in the same family.

BCW Botany Blitzes

Managers: Mary Ann Feist
Every summer the Botanical Club of Wisconsin conducts one or two Botany Blitzes at State Natural Areas in Wisconsin. During a Botany Blitz we make species lists of each vascular plant species we encounter as we meander around the site. Species lists are compiled by community type. In 2018 we visited Navarino Cedar Swamp State Natural Area and encountered two different community types - Black Ash Swamp and Northern Mesic Forest. These species lists can be accessed below. Each year we will add new species lists as we conduct additional Botany Blitzes.

Blue Mounds Area Project Species Lists

Managers: Mary Ann Feist

Brule River State Forest

Managers: Mary Ann Feist
During the summer of 2015, an ambitious vegetation re-survey of the Brule River watershed forests, barrens, wetlands and aquatic zones was launched. The target areas for the survey duplicate and expand upon the earlier studies conducted by Dr. Thomson and Dr. Davidson. A three-year project is planned to complete a re-examination of the Brule River watershed spanning 160 years (1856-2018).

Common Wildflowers by Color

Managers: WIS
NOTE: These are lists of selected common wildflowers only. They are not exhaustive.

County Floras

Managers: Ken Cameron
We will continue to add additional county checklists and update these in the future. Lists are based entirely on vouchered herbarium specimens in the statewide database, not reports of possible occurrences.

Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area

Managers: Mary Ann Feist

Navarino Cedar Swamp State Natural Area

Managers: Mary Ann Feist
On 7 July 2018, the Botanical Club of Wisconsin conducted a botany blitz at Navarino Cedar Swamp SNA in Shawano County, Wisconsin. Two community types within the SNA were surveyed—Black Ash Swamp and the Northern Mesic Forest. Separate species lists were made for each community type. Links to the species lists are provided below. Ten people participated in the botany blitz which lasted from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Peatlands of the Northern Wisconsin

Managers: Mary Ann Feist
This Biotic Inventory Project contains lists of typical species found in various peatland communities found in Wisconsin.

Peatlands of the Upper Midwest

Managers: Mary Ann Feist

Ridgeway Pine Relict SNA

Managers: Mary Ann Feist and Mark Wetter
The Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural Area is a unique site in Iowa County covering 327 acres. It occurs within the Driftless Area and features dramatic sandstone cliffs, rock outcrops, rock shelters, bottom wet- lands, and a small patch of remnant tall- grass prairie. Pine forests were once ex- tensive throughout southwest Wisconsin, but as the climate warmed oak forests and prairies replaced them. The pine relicts persisted only on the rocky cliffs and steep slopes of the Driftless Area where they were protected from fire. All three of Wisconsin’s native pine species grow within the SNA. White pine (Pinus strobus) dominates, but red pine (P. resinosa) and jack pine (P. banksiana) are also common. On one small slope within the SNA we saw all three of these species growing together side by side! Beneath the pines, the understory consists of an interesting mix of southern and northern species. Characteristic species that we observed included huckleberry, northern bush honeysuckle, rock cap fern, bracken fern, Canada mayflower, goldthread, starflower, rattlesnake plantain, Indian pipe, and wintergreen. Staff, students, and volunteers from the Wisconsin State Herbarium are conducting a floristic inventory of the Ridgeway Pine Relict SNA in cooperation with the WI DNR. Our objectives for this project are three-fold: 1) to provide the WI DNR with a comprehensive vouchered species list for each community typewithin the SNA, 2) to provide the students with valuable field experience, and 3) to get out, enjoy the fresh air and just have some fun! During our first year of the project, we collected over 300 specimens that will be kept at the Wisconsin State Herbarium. In addition to the vouchered species lists, we gathered occurrence records for threatened or endangered species and species of special concern. We also noted occurrences of non-native species, woody encroachment, and other disturbances.

Wildflowers by Month

Managers: WIS
NOTE: These are lists of selected common wildflowers only. They are not exhaustive.

WIS/BCW Botany Forays

Managers: Not defined

What is a research checklist?

Research checklists are pre-compiled by biologists. This is a very controlled method for building a species list, which allows for specific occurrences to be linked to the species names within the checklist and thus serve as vouchers. Occurrence vouchers are proof that the species actually occurs in the given area. If there is any doubt, one can inspect these occurrences for verification or annotate the identification when necessary.