Turtlecreek Township near Lebanon in Warren County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio Native Plants

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022

1. Ohio Native Plants Marker

Inscription.

Ohio Native Plants. . Bee Balm. Common Name: Bee balm Botanical Name: Monarda didyma Height / Width: 3 to 4 feet / 2 to 3 feet Habitats: Full sun to part shade in woods, thickets, and bottomlands Flowering Period: July through August Bloom Color: Shades of red, pink, purple, and white Wildlife Value: The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The seed heads attract birds in the fall and winter., History / Lore: Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make a variety of medicinal salves and drinks. The name "bee balm" comes from the historic use of applying it to bee stings., Bee balm is a member of the mint family (lamiaceae). Its foliage has a strong aroma and is sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and garnishes., Red Osier Dogwood. Common Name: Red osier dogwood Botanical Name: Cornus sericea Height / Width: 6 to 9 feet / 7 to 10 feet Habitats: Full sun to part shade on shores and in thickets, marshes, and wet meadows. Flowering Period: May through June Bloom Color: White Wildlife Value: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees, wasps, moths, flies, and butterflies. Deer, beavers, and rabbits nibble on the twigs and leaves. The dense thickets also provide cover to birds and small mammals., History / Lore: Red osier dogwood was one of several plants referred to as kinnikinik by Native Americans for its use as a tobacco substitute., Switch Grass. Common Name: Switch grass Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum Height / Width: 3 to 6 feet / 2 to 3 feet Habitats: Full sun to part shade on prairies, savannas, open woodlands, rocky bluffs, sand dunes, and marsh edges. Flowering Period: July through February Bloom Color: Pink-tinged Wildlife Value: Switch grass attracts birds and butterflies. The seeds are eaten by ground-feeding songbirds and game birds. It also provides cover and nesting material for wildlife., History / Lore: Switch grass was important to native people in the Americas. They ground the seeds to make flour, mixed its roots with soapweed for washing hair, stuffed the grass into moccasins for padding, and made the concoctions of the leaves for fevers. Today, it is used as a landscape plant, as livestock forage, and for biofuel.

Bee Balm Common Name: Bee balm
Botanical Name: Monarda didyma
Height / Width: 3 to 4 feet / 2 to 3 feet Habitats: Full sun to part shade in woods, thickets, and bottomlands
Flowering Period: July through August
Bloom Color: Shades of red, pink, purple, and white
Wildlife Value: The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The seed heads attract birds in the fall and winter.

History / Lore: Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make a variety of medicinal salves and drinks. The name "bee balm" comes from the historic use of applying it to bee stings.

Bee balm is a member of the mint family (lamiaceae). Its foliage has a strong aroma and is sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and garnishes.

Red Osier Dogwood Common Name: Red osier dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus sericea
Height / Width: 6 to 9 feet / 7 to 10 feet
Habitats: Full sun to part shade on shores and in thickets, marshes, and wet meadows.
Flowering Period: May through June
Bloom Color: White
Wildlife Value: The nectar and pollen of the flowers

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attract bees, wasps, moths, flies, and butterflies. Deer, beavers, and rabbits nibble on the twigs and leaves. The dense thickets also provide cover to birds and small mammals.

History / Lore: Red osier dogwood was one of several plants referred to as kinnikinik by Native Americans for its use as a tobacco substitute.

Switch Grass Common Name: Switch grass
Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum
Height / Width: 3 to 6 feet / 2 to 3 feet
Habitats: Full sun to part shade on prairies, savannas, open woodlands, rocky bluffs, sand dunes, and marsh edges.
Flowering Period: July through February
Bloom Color: Pink-tinged
Wildlife Value: Switch grass attracts birds and butterflies. The seeds are eaten by ground-feeding songbirds and game birds. It also provides cover and nesting material for wildlife.

History / Lore: Switch grass was important to native people in the Americas. They ground the seeds to make flour, mixed its roots with soapweed for washing hair, stuffed the grass into moccasins for padding, and made the concoctions of the leaves for fevers. Today, it is used as a landscape plant, as livestock forage, and for biofuel.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022

2. Ohio Native Plants Marker

• Native Americans • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 24.854′ N, 84° 7.456′ W. Marker is near Lebanon, Ohio, in Warren County. It is in Turtlecreek Township. Marker is on Interstate 71 north of Ohio Route 123, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lebanon OH 45036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ohio Buckeye Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lebanon.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.