Bloodroot

Those of you who are Kentucky wildflower-savvy, probably have noticed that the flower in the circle to the left that was also featured on the home page, isn't a native Kentucky wildflower. The problem is that most people don't know that all flowers that bloom in the wild like the Vinca (the flower in the circle) are not native to the area. Many non-native species that bloom in now isolated areas were first introduced to Kentucky as white settlers moved away from the safety of Fort Boonesborough. The settlers may have moved on, but the flowers remained sometimes replacing more fragile native species.

Lower Howard's Creek is home to many native wildflower species. Some of these species, such as Running Buffalo Clover, are endangered and virtually extinct in other areas of Kentucky where they once grew due to the influx of non-native plants that were introduced to the area. One of Lower Howard's Creek goals is to clear the preserve of any non-native species and to encourage the native flowers and other native vegitation to flourish in a protected environment.

Would you be interested in helping with this worthwhile effort? Click here!