Native plants for Cotton County, Oklahoma
145 native plants recorded in Cotton County, Oklahoma
The USDA plant database has 198 plants recorded growing wild in Cotton County. 145 of them are native to the lower 48, and 9 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 78 wildflowers and herbs, 25 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 18 low woody plants, 15 trees, 4 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 35 of them (24%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Gulf cockspur grass (Echinochloa crus-pavonis) are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Cotton County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 35 | 0 | 110 |
| Half shade | 28 | 7 | 110 |
| Under trees | 20 | 15 | 110 |
| Heavy clay | 24 | 11 | 110 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 31 | 4 | 110 |
| Never watered | 26 | 9 | 110 |
| Stays soggy | 13 | 22 | 110 |
Sun all day in Cotton County: 35 rated natives
11 trees, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 4 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Maryland senna (Senna marilandica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
Half shade in Cotton County: 28 rated natives
8 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 4 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high shade tolerance - Maryland senna (Senna marilandica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Cotton County: 20 rated natives
6 wildflowers and herbs, 6 grasses and sedges, 3 low woody plants, 3 trees, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth - Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Cotton County: 24 rated natives
10 trees, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 4 grasses and sedges, 3 low woody plants, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth - Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Inland rush (Juncus interior) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Cotton County: 31 rated natives
10 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 7 grasses and sedges, 3 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Maryland senna (Senna marilandica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Cotton County: 26 rated natives
9 trees, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 4 low woody plants, 4 grasses and sedges, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Maryland senna (Senna marilandica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Cotton County: 13 rated natives
6 grasses and sedges, 4 trees, 3 wildflowers and herbs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Vine mesquite (Panicum obtusum) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Inland rush (Juncus interior) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Cotton County has that most of Oklahoma does not
9 natives here are on file in no more than 4 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. A few of them:
- Desert horsepurslane (Trianthema portulacastrum): only here
- Texas vervain (Verbena halei): only here
- Texas Hercules' club (Zanthoxylum hirsutum): 2 counties
- Britton's sedge (Carex tetrastachya): 3 counties
- Polkadots (Dyschoriste linearis): 3 counties
- Palmer's spectaclepod (Dimorphocarpa candicans): 4 counties
- Sand reverchonia (Reverchonia arenaria): 4 counties
- Verrucose seapurslane (Sesuvium verrucosum): 4 counties
- Lotebush (Ziziphus obtusifolia): 4 counties
Where to start in Cotton County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Cotton County gives you the most rated choice (35 plants), and American water-willow (Justicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 13 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 110 unrated natives too.