Coneflowers, bur oak, and roughleaf dogwood are just a few of the 700 species of plants growing in the park.
NPS photo.
Natural vegetation along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor is composed primarily of two major plant communities:
floodplain forest of willow and cottonwood
elm and oak woodland typical of the bluffs that border the floodplain in Nebraska.
Along The Floodplain
Varying stages of floodplain vegetative succession are evident throughout the park. These stages are characterized by:
On the sandbars and newly deposited accretion land adjacent to the riverbanks, grow the pioneer species of floodplain succession: annual weeds, short-lived grasses, sedges, and seedling willow and cottonwood.
Farther back and higher above the water table, larger willow and cottonwood trees dominate until finally a floodplain forest of cottonwoods occurs on the highest banks and islands. The understory in the mature cottonwood forest is primarily dogwood, sumac, wild grape, and poison ivy.
The sparse vegetation under the mature cottonwoods consists mostly of scouring rush, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and other invasive grasses and weeds.
Contrasts On The Bluffs
In contrast to mixed floodplain forest and agricultural use on the floodplain are the hardwood forests of the adjoining bluffs. The slopes support a dense growth of oak, ash, mulberry, and walnut, with burr oak as the dominant species.
Native Species
Missouri National Recreational River has a mix of habitats including open grassland, prairie, and river forest with a small collection of native wildflowers.
Invasive Species
Currently about 8 nonnative plant species targeted for action within the MNRR of high management concern. Guide to common invasive plants of the Northern Great Plains including Missouri National Recreational River.
