Plants

The land-based portion of the park, 117 hectares, is characterized by terrace landscapes, flat terrain, and various stands of upland and lowland hardwoods. Bayous and swamps are interspersed throughout the area. Manicured lawns, prairie, and tall-grass areas also exist within the Park. As such, an abundance of flora and fauna resides both on land and in water. Moore Bayou and Post Bayou lie along the north/northwest border and Post Bend Lake, a backwater of the Arkansas River, lies on the north and northeastern border. Both bayous, as well as the backwater, empty into the Arkansas River, which borders the southern edge of the Park. Arkansas Post is the site of over 300 years of European occupation. Consequently, the land-based portion presents a mosaic of different successional stands. Of the twelve general vegetation types delineated, the Superintendent has designated five (excluding mowed areas) as high visitor use areas. They are the oak/pine, oak/hickory, oak/mixed, sweetgum, and tallgrass types.

 

American Lotus

NPS

Plants

American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea)

During late summer and early autumn, visitors to Arkansas Post are treated to the sight of lily pads and blossoms courtesy of the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea).

The American yellow lotus is the only lotus native to the United States. American lotus is a perennial aquatic herb with spongy, long, cylindrical rhizomes that produce tubers during the fall months. Leaf stalks are long, supporting leaves that are both floating and standing above the water surface. Leaves above the water tend to be elevated outward from the center and appearing funnel-like. Flowers are solitary, showy, on long stalks, frequently overtopping the leaves. The petals are numerous and yellow.

The American lotus produces the largest flower of any plant in North America and occurs in quiet waters in ponds, lakes and the edges of slow moving streams and rivers from Iowa to New York and south to Oklahoma, East Texas and Florida.

A number of common names, many of native American origin, are used to identify this species. Among them are: American lotus, yellow lotus, water-chinquapin, duck acorn, lotus lily, yellow Nelumbo, yanquapin, wonkapin, and pond nuts. In the Arkansas Post area, the common name of yancopin is most commonly used; in fact, a nearby community on the Arkansas River is named Yancopin.

 

Arkansas yucca

NPS

Arkansas Yucca (Yucca arkansana)

This yucca is known as the Arkansas Yucca, Soft Leaf Yucca, and Soapweed (Yucca arkansana). It is native to Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. It likes to grow in gravelly and rock outcrop locations but also can be found on prairies. It has a stem or spire that grows to only about 76 cm in height. It has greenish-white flowers that come from the flowering stalk. Yucca moths lay their eggs on the plant. Yuccas have been used by people throughout time. The leaves often yield plant fiber that can be made into cord or rope. The root contains saponin that can be extracted and used as a lather or soap.

Common Cattail (Typha latifolia)

Common cattail (Typha latifolia) is a distinctive plant that grows in marshlands. It is water loving. It is a distinct plant that has long ribbon-like leaves that are about an inch in wide and flat in cross section. They grow up to six feet in height and they have a flowering stalk that can grow up to eight feet in length. The leaves provide ideal cover and protection for waterfowl. Native Americans gather cattail leaves for cattail mats that were used in their homes. Muskrats gather the leaves for their homes as well. A few birds like long-billed marsh wrens and redwings build their nests among cattail leaves. Cattail fruits are brown and fluffy and have been used as stuffing for pillows and providing the insulation for blankets. Cattail roots and young fruits are edible.

 

Bald cypress trees

NPS

Trees

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is referred to as the "tree with knees". This tree is found in the wetlands of Arkansas but ranges from Delaware to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri. It is found where the water is strong with lime. They grow to 150 feet in height and trunk can be 12 feet in diameter at its base. It is a non-evergreen tree and its leaves appear feather-like. They can grow to be 800 years old. Cypress knees are oval to cylindrical and can be several feet in length.

Pecan (Carya illinoensis)

Pecan (Carya illinoensis) is a deciduous tree. There are several different pecans varieties. This tree is known as a swamp hickory or southern hickory tree. It likes rich low bottomland river bottoms. It can grow to 150 feet in height and is the tallest of hickories. The trunk diameter at base can be five to six feet in diameter. It ranges from Indiana to Georgia and Alabama to Texas and Kansas. It has 9-17 lanceolate leaflets. The nut is smooth with a sweet seed. The outer shell separates into four "wings". Today, pecan trees are cultivated especially for their nutty edible fruit. The wood is very brittle.

 

Osage orange tree (top) and its fruit (bottom)

NPS

Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)

Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) is also referred to as bois d' arc or hedge apple. It can grow to a height of sixty feet. Trunk diameter at the base can be three feet. It can live from 100 to 200 years of age. It is a deciduous tree. It is distinct in its hard orange wood and stiff spine-like twigs. It has alternate leaves. It often produces green grapefruit size fruits. It is the hardest of all native hardwoods. Native Americans used to make bows. Historically, in Arkansas a good Osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket according to the Fieldbook of Natural History. Its hard wood makes it popular for fence posts. Osage orange trees like rich moist soils and river valleys. This was the first tree sample that Louis and Clark sent back to Washington DC in 1804 according to Trees of Ohio. Thomas Nuttall who visited Arkansas Post was the first to give its scientific name.

Up to a few years ago, Arkansas Post National Memorial had the largest Osage orange tree in Arkansas, but due to storms and old age the tree's limbs have broken off reducing its girth and it has since lost its champion status. But you can still see it proudly standing today near the park's visitor center.

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is also known as Bilsted. This deciduous tree can grow up to 140 feet in height. Its trunk can have a maximum diameter of five feet. It often has rough bark. This tree's leaves appear "star-shaped" with five points. Sweet Gums can live to 150 years. They are found in low woodlands from Connecticut to Florida and can be found west to Missouri and Illinois and into Mexico. They like an abundance of water and grows in the lower Mississippi region were the river floods. It is found in swampy areas. Another characteristic of this tree is that it produces a small seed ball with spiny projections, Sweet Gum seeds are a popular food source for Gray Squirrels, Chipmunks, Marsh Rabbits., Wild Turkeys and Bobwhites. Its name also reveals it resinous nature. Its resin has been used to make gum, soap, and adhesives.