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
Flowering Dogwood
Common Name: Flowering Dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus florida
Height/Width: 20 to 30 feet / 15 to 25 feet
Habitats: Dry upland woods, fields
Flowering Period: April to May
Bloom Color: White
Wildlife Value: Seeds, fruits, flowers, bark and leaves are all important to woodland animals and birds.
History/Lore: Native Americans used the bark and roots in a remedy for malaria; a red dye was also extracted from the roots. The species has been used in the production of inks, scarlet dyes, and as a quinine substitute.
Gro-Low Sumac
Common Name: Gro-Low Sumac
Botanical Name: Rhus aromatic 'Gro-Low'
Height/Width: 1 to 2 feet / 6 to 8 feet
Habitats: Full sun to part shade; dry rocks, sands & open woods
Flowering Period: April to May
Bloom Color: Green/Yellowish
Wildlife Value: Low dense branching foliage provides shelter to small mammals and rodents. Berries persist through winter and offer food for small animals and birds.
History/Lore: The red berries from fragrant Sumac are edible and were often made into lemonade style beverages by Native Americans. Pigments extractedfrom fermented berries, crushed twigs, and leaves yielded various colors for dyeing baskets and blankets.
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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.
Erected 2024 by Ohio Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 41° 6.362′ N, 81° 6.757′ 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
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2025
2. Ohio Native Plants Marker
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.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2025
3. Ohio Native Plants Marker
All natural history content so not translated
(marker adjacent to flag pole)
(marker adjacent to flag pole)
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 26 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
