On Saturday, September 6th, KNPS members Steve Kistler and Carol Friendman led 16 participants on a rainy hike through prairie restoration areas in Mammoth Cave National Park. HIghlights included Cut-Leaf Prairie Dock (Silphium pinnatifida), Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum), Monkeyflower (Mimulus sp.), and Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia). Participants also identified the birds, butterflies, and fungi in the area.
By Alan Abbott, KNPS Field Trip Coordinator
On Sunday, September 7th, KNPS member Alan Abbott led a hike on Mogan Ridge in Perry County, Indiana. Approximately 10 people, including members of both Kentucky Native Plant Society and Indiana Native Plant Society, walked the trail for over 3 hours.
The mixture of more northern and southern plants meant that everyone got to see something new. Those from Indiana were excited to see some Sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum) at the northwestern edge of their range. Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) was also a big hit. It is widely-distributed In Kentucky, but rare in Indiana.
Kentucky participants were excited to see Big Tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata), which is infrequent in Kentucky.
Other plants seen include Anglepod (Gonolobus suberosus), American Bluehearts (Buchnera americana), Silver Plumegrass (Erianthus alopecuroides), Clasping Aster (Symphyotrichum patens), Blue Waxweed (Cuphea viscosissima), and Prairie Tea (Croton monanthogynus).
Devin Rodgers, Botantist at the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Devin Rodgers, KNPS member and Botanist for the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, led a hike of seven KNPS members at Crooked Creek State Nature Preserve, in Lewis County, KY. Though many of the asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) were not yet blooming, the hike’s focus on the sunflower family, Asteraceae, successfully highlighted flowering plants of many genera such as snakeroot (Ageratina), Mistflower (Conoclinium), thoroughworts (Eupatorium), Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium), Blazingstars (Liatris), rosinweeds (Silphium), Goldenrod (Solidago), and Ironweed (Vernonia).
The rare grassland type present at the preserve, the Bluegrass Cat Prairie, is a unique assemblage of plants unlike any other calcareous grassland in Kentucky, though there are a few similarities to scattered grasslands over dolomite in the outer Bluegrass extending south and west towards Louisville. These prairies contained some of the most interesting and spectacular blooms with a sea of prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum), stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida), and three different blazingstars (Liatris cylindracea, Liatris aspera, Liatris spicata), of which two were blooming. Additional uncommon species flowering in the prairies included Southern obedient-plant (Physostegia virginiana ssp. praemorsa), Gattinger’s agalinis (Agalinis gattingeri), and Earleaf Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata).
Date of trip: 09/07/2025
Time: 10AM Central Time
Location: Mogan Ridge West, Porter Co., Indiana
Difficulty of hike: Moderate – Expect about a 2.5-hour, out-and-back hike. There are some steep hills on the trail, so expect some physical exertion.
Join Kentucky Native Plant Society Field Trips Chair Alan Abbott for a hike along Mogan Ridge West in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest on Sunday, September 7th. This trail is close to the Ohio River and approximately an hour from either Owensboro or Louisville.
The hike is meant to introduce participants to the plants of Mogan Ridge, as well as other botanical adventures available in Southern Indiana’s public lands.
Mogan Ridge West follows a gravel road through an upland, Oak-Hickory forest. Late-blooming herbaceous plants typical of this part of Hoosier National Forest include Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago erecta), Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera), and Late Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens). Woody plants include Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa), and Post Oak (Quercus stellata). The trail has one of Indiana’s few populations of Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum).
Time permitting, the group will travel a short distance to see a small population of American Bluehearts (Buchnera americana).
Mogan Ridge West is a well-maintained forest road. However, there are some steep hills on the trail, so expect some physical exertion.
The group will meet at 10AM Central Time at the Mogan Ridge West parking area. Expect about a 2.5-hour, out-and-back hike. Bring water and tick-protection.
To register for this field trip, fill out and submit the form below.
Date of trip: 09/06/2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (approx.) Central Time
Location: Mammoth Cave NP, Hart County
Difficulty of hike: Easy – The trail is essentially level, with a few gentle slopes. The total hike will last two to three hours.
Join KNPS members Steve Kistler and Carol Friedman for a hike in Mammoth Cave NP. Participants will hike into two distinct prairie restoration areas, both north and south of the parking spot. The two areas have been burned on different schedules, resulting in differences in habitat. There are also some open woods, providing even more variety. Expect to see some grassland plants like Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) and Stiff Leaved Goldenrod (Solidago rigida). Steve and Carol will help ID the plants, insects and birds the group encounters.
Carol Friedman is a nature lover and gardener from Hart County. Steve Kistler, also from Hart County, is a retired teacher and seasonal guide at Mammoth Cave. He’s the creator of the website Hart County Flora.
To register for this field trip, fill out and submit the form below.
Date of trip: 09/06/2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Crooked Creek SNP, Lewis Co., KY
Difficulty of hike: Easy – The hike will cover a distance of approximately 1.5 miles on an established trail. The terrain is mostly flat with some small inclines or declines, but attendees should be prepared for hiking trail conditions like navigating occasional spots with rocks, mud, or woody debris. We will leave the trail at one or two spots to view some of the grasslands.
Join KNPS member and OKNP biologist, Devin Rodgers for a hike to Crooked Creek SNP in Lewis Co. The hike will highlight the Bluegrass Cat Prairie, a unique type of grassland that features some of the highest concentrations of rare plants in Kentucky. The ecology and rare plants of this grassland will be discussed along with a focus on morphology and identification of the sunflower family, Asteraceae.
Prairie species such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum var. luciae-brauniae) occur in the barrens areas. This site also protects five rare plant species: starry false Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum stellatum), white rattlesnake root (Prenanthes alba), slender blazing-star (Liatris cylindracea), earleaf foxglove (Agalinis auriculata) and scarlet Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea).
There are no restrooms or facilities at the preserve. There will be some shaded portions of the hike, but attendees should be prepared for being in open areas with full sun. Short water and shade breaks will be taken. Make sure to bring plenty of water and tick protection.
Because of limited parking at Crooked Creek SNP, the group will meet in Maysville and carpool to the preserve. Meet up coordinates will be sent to participants in a separate email.
Due to the sensitivity of the site, registration will be limited to 12 participants.
If you have any questions, send an email to FieldTrips@knps.org.
To register for this field trip, fill out and submit the form below.
Meaghan Petix & Alan Abbott
On April 19th, KNPS partnered with the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition for a botanical hike of their Miller Fork property in Lee County. Approximately 20 members of KNPS and RRGCC were guided by Dan and Judie Dourson, the authors of the book Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin.
The hike began along the banks of Hell Creek, where there was a striking display of spring wildflowers, including Red Trillium (Trillium erectum), Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), Creeping Foamflower (Tirella stolonifera), and Buffalo Nut (Pyrularia pubera). Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) was emerging.
The group then followed a trail into an enchanting rock garden before stopping along a sandstone cliff line to discuss its fragile ecosystem, which harbors many specialized plants and animals. The exposed rock was adorned with vivid crustose lichens. Dan Dourson spotted a Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) nestled in a rock crevice.
KNPS is funding the reprinting of Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin.
Meaghan Petix is the Volunteer Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society. Alan Abbott is Field Trips Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society.
