Flora & Fauna : Missouri

The most popular trees that one can see in Missouri are the shortleaf pine, pecan (Carya illinoensis), scarlet oak, peachleaf willow, smoke tree, along with species of tupelo, cottonwood, cypress, cedar, and dogwood (the state tree).Missouri's state flower is the hawthorn blossom. Other wild flowers that are found in Missouri include Queen Anne's lace, meadow rose, and white snakeroot. American holly, small white lady's slipper, green adder's-mouth, purslane, corn salad, dotted monardo, and prairie white-fringed orchid are rare in Missouri. Eight species of plants were considered threatened or endangered plants in 2003. They were the decurrent false aster, running buffalo clover, pondberry, Missouri bladderpod, and western prairie fringed orchid.

Mammals native to the state are the common cottontail, muskrat, white-tailed deer, and gray and red foxes. The state bird is the bluebird. Other common birds are the cardinal, solitary vireo, and the prothonotary warbler. Three species of bat (Ozark big-eared, gray, and Indiana), bald eagle, pallid sturgeon, gray wolf, and three varieties of mussel were listed as threatened or endangered in 2003.