Edinburg Township near Rootstown in Portage County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio Native Plants

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2025

1. Ohio Native Plants Marker

Inscription.

Ohio Native Plants. . , , Brilliant Red Chokeberry ,

Common Name: Brilliant Red Chokeberry , Botanical Name: Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' , Height/Width: 6 to 8 feet / 3 to 4 feet , Habitats: Full sun to part shade; low woods, thickets, swamps, damp pine barrens , Flowering Period: April , Bloom Color: White , Wildlife Value: Birds and mammals, especially deer, are attracted to the tart and bitter berries. Butterflies and pollinators are attracted to the small white flowers for the nectar.

, Raspberry Wine Bee Balm ,

Common Name: Raspberry Wine Bee Balm , Botanical Name: Monarda didyma , Height/Width: 3 to 4 feet / 2 to 3 feet , Habitats: Full sun to part shade; rich woods, thickets and bottom lands , Flowering Period: July to August , Bloom Color: Red , 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 as garnishes.

, Sullivants Coneflower ,

Common Name: Sullivants Coneflower , Botanical Name: Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii , Height/Width: 2 to 3 feet / 1 to 2 feet , Habitats: Full sun; moist rocky woodlands, savannas, barrens, woodland openings and edges, moist meadows , Flowering Period: June to September , Bloom Color: Yellow rays with black centers , Wildlife Value: Deer, rabbits, and other small wildlife are often found consuming this plant much to the gardeners chagrin. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to this plant., History/Lore: Incredibly resilient, this plant can grow in almost any condition. Known as a pioneer plant, it is one of the first wildflowers to inhabit and bloom after a natural disturbance such as a fire. Fire is a natural part of Ohio's ecosystem and many species benefit from fires.

Brilliant Red Chokeberry

Common Name: Brilliant Red Chokeberry
Botanical Name: Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'
Height/Width: 6 to 8 feet / 3 to 4 feet
Habitats: Full sun to part shade; low woods, thickets, swamps, damp pine barrens
Flowering Period: April
Bloom Color: White
Wildlife Value: Birds and mammals, especially deer, are attracted to the tart and bitter berries. Butterflies and pollinators are attracted to the small white flowers for the nectar.

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm

Common Name: Raspberry Wine Bee Balm
Botanical Name: Monarda didyma
Height/Width: 3 to 4 feet / 2 to 3 feet
Habitats: Full sun to part shade; rich woods, thickets and bottom lands
Flowering Period: July to August
Bloom Color: Red
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).
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Its foliage has a strong aroma and is sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and as garnishes.

Sullivants Coneflower

Common Name: Sullivants Coneflower
Botanical Name: Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii
Height/Width: 2 to 3 feet / 1 to 2 feet
Habitats: Full sun; moist rocky woodlands, savannas, barrens, woodland openings and edges, moist meadows
Flowering Period: June to September
Bloom Color: Yellow rays with black centers
Wildlife Value: Deer, rabbits, and other small wildlife are often found consuming this plant much to the gardeners chagrin. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to this plant.

History/Lore: Incredibly resilient, this plant can grow in almost any condition. Known as a pioneer plant, it is one of the first wildflowers to inhabit and bloom after a natural disturbance such as a fire. Fire is a natural part of Ohio's ecosystem and many species benefit from fires.

Erected 2024 by Ohio Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 6.36′

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2025

2. Ohio Native Plants Marker

N, 81° 6.763′ W. Marker is near Rootstown, Ohio, in Portage County. It is in Edinburg Township. It is on Interstate 70 at milepost 45, on the right when traveling west. Marker is near the Westbound ODOT Rest Area (No. 4-36) comfort station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rootstown OH 44272, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ohio's Physiographic Regions (here, next to this marker); Ohio Buckeye Tree (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Stagecoach Inn / Historic Palmyra Center (approx. 3.2 miles away); Atwater Coal Company Mine Disaster (approx. 6.3 miles away); Craig Beach (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rootstown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Benjamin Tappan, Jr. (was approx. 5.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Ohio Native Plants. The marker has limited but useful historical information.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.