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| Plants
and Flowers |
 Dwarf
Dandelion (Krigia virgin ica)
Threatened
This species is considered an annual herb. It closely
resembles the common dandelion found in lawns and along
roadsides. The distinguishing characteristic to look for
is smaller leaves (1/2-4-3/4”) which are pale, bluish
or silver-green. Common habitats are dry, open to
semi-open places with acidic, sandy soil; open woods,
meadows, fallow fields and dunes. It flowers from
March-August and fruits from May-September.
Overshadowing by taller species is thought to be the
main hazard.
 Yellow
Vetchling (Lath yrus och roleucus)
Threatened
This species has showy yellowish-white flowers in
clusters from May July, fruiting in July and August.
Scientists consider it a perennial herb. Most specimens
will grow one-three feet tall. An easy field mark to
look for is a pair of pointed leaflets with a tendril.
Usually found in dry upland woods, thickets, wooded
slopes, roadsides and rocky banks. Hazards are unknown.
 Mailed
Spikerush (Eleocharis intermedia)
Potentially Threatened
This species is an. herbaceous perennial, it grows
tufted from a short rootstalk, fruiting period is June -
October. Specimens will range between 2-15” and are
easily confused with other spikerushes, Botanists
usually study mature plants to be sure of their
identification. This species prefers open, wet habitat.
It can be found along lake shorelines, pond margins, bog
mats and fields. Alterations to its habitat by water
level fluctuations and overgrowth by woody plants are
the main hazards.
 American
Panic-grass (Pan icurn colurnbian urn)
Potentially Threatened
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources lists the genus
(a collection of similar species) 
Panicum as distinctive in Ohio. Some scientists have
proposed a revision to the genus, and further
clarification is extremely complex. This species is an
herbaceous perennial with winter rosettes, 7” and
taller; it flowers from June-September. Its habitat is
very general and it can tolerate wet and dry locations
in woods, along shorelines and fields. Hazards are
generally unknown, but animal grazing and overshadowing
by taller plants are thought to be the most common
dangers.
 Reflexed
Bladder Sedge (Carex retrorsa)
Endangered
The chief characteristic of sedges is their three
sided stems. One easy way to remember this is “grasses
grow round, sedges have edges.” Many sedges are very
difficult to tell apart, even for scientists working
with microscopes. This species is perennial and grows
8-18” from a short, slender rootstalk. It fruits in
May and June. The leaves have a very sharp crease down
the center Which fits nicely over the sharp edges of the
stem. This sedge can be found in well drained woods and
slopes often in sandy soil. The clearing of woods and
compaction of loose soils are thought to be hazards to
its continued existence.
 Small
Purple Fringed Orchid (Plantantherapsycodes)
Endangered
This herbaceous perennial can grow to about two feet in
height. It flowers from June-August. This species lives
in a variety of wet habitats in semi-shade with neutral or
subacidic soils. It will tolerate standing water and can
be found in swamp woods and shrub borders of wetlands.
The opening of the forest canopy, picking of flowers,
alteration of the water supply and transplantation are
all known hazards to its existence.
 White-stem
Pond-weed (Potamogeton praelongus)
Endangered
This is one species at Nettle Lake that grows only in
the water and never floats. Some specimens have been
found at depths greater than 20 feet. The plant grows
from a stout, rusty-spotted rhizome; it flowers in June
and July and the fruit usually grows toward deeper water
during maturation. The lack of deep, cold water,
turbidity and mechanical disturbance are thought to be
hazards to its continued existence.
 Canada
Frostweed (Hellanthemumcanadense)
Threatened
This species grows from 6-20”. The leaves are narrow,
toothless. The one inch flower has five petals. It gets
its name from the fact that frost crystals grow on the stems
near the ground. They can be found in dry, sandy soil in
clearings, on dunes, in oak openings and open upland
woods. Possible hazards to its existence are thought to
be overshadowing by woody plants and the compaction of
soil by trampling.
 Dwarf
Bulrush (Hemicarpha micrantha)
Threatened
This species is easy to overlook since it grows from
3/4-6”, and can easily be hidden by taller grasses and
plants. It is an annual that fruits from July-October.
Rushes and bulrushes seem to be all stem with no leaves.
They grow in open moist habitat, usually in sandy areas,
fields, sand pits, along lake margins and in ditches.
The shade from taller plants is thought to be their
chief hazard.
 Small
Bur-reed (Sparganium chlorocarpum)
Extirpated
This species of Burreed loves wetlands; they are
usually erect in growth and sometimes float. They rarely
grow over 24”, flowering occurs from June - August with
fruiting in August and September. Their leaves are
iris-like and have bur-like balls. This species has not
been seen around Nettle Lake for years and is presumed
to be extirpated from the area. They usually prefer wet,
open to semi-open habitat, along muddy or peaty shores,
in wetlands and shallow water. Drainage or changes to
wetlands and overshadowing by taller species are the
main hazards.
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