Wet Prairie Plant List

Graminoids

  • big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
  • fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus)
  • blue-joint (Calamagrostis canadensis)
  • sedges (Carex buxbaumii, C. pellita, C. stricta, and others)
  • fowl manna grass (Glyceria striata)
  • leafy satin grass (Muhlenbergia mexicana)
  • Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
  • cordgrass (Spartina pectinata)

Forbs

  • swamp agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora)
  • hog-peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)
  • angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)
  • groundnut (Apios americana)
  • marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris)
  • hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium)
  • marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides)
  • common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
  • joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
  • tall sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)
  • star-grass (Hypoxis hirsuta)
  • marsh pea (Lathyrus palustris)
  • Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense)
  • fringed loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
  • starry false Solomon-seal (Maianthemum stellatum)
  • swamp saxifrage (Micranthes pensylvanica)
  • cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior)
  • swamp-betony (Pedicularis lanceolata)
  • common mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
  • black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
  • tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima)
  • Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
  • late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)
  • Riddell’s goldenrod (Solidago riddellii)
  • New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
  • purple meadow-rue (Thalictrum dasycarpum)
  • broad-leaved cat-tail (Typha latifolia)
  • golden alexanders (Zizia aurea)

Ferns

  • sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
  • marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris)

Shrubs

  • dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
  • shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa)
  • ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
  • willows (Salix spp.)
  • meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)

Citation

Cohen, J.G., M.A. Kost, B.S. Slaughter, D.A. Albert, J.M. Lincoln, A.P. Kortenhoven, C.M. Wilton, H.D. Enander, M.E. Anderson, M.R. Parr, T.J. Bassett, and K.M. Korroch. 2025. Michigan Natural Community Classification [web application]. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, Lansing, MI. Available https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/classification. (Accessed: April 17, 2026).