Gymnosperms of Iowa.

The following information is sorted in ascending order alphabetically by "Gymnosperm Family".


The following Cupressaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Author
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Common
Name		 Family
[FNA]		 Scientific
Name
[FNA]		 Author
[FNA]		 Subspecific
Category
[FNA]		 Habitat Abundance & Distribution Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied		 US
Native?		 IA
Native?		 Special
Notes
Juniperus communis L. var. depressa Pursh Common juniper Cupressaceae Juniperus communis L. var. depressa Pursh Dry, wooded bluffs; rocky slopes. Infrequent NE; rare C [Harding Co.] NE, C Yes Yes FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.
Juniperus horizontalis Moench . Creeping juniper Cupressaceae Juniperus horizontalis Moench . Dry, calcareous, prairie bluffs. Rare NC [Floyd Co.] & NE [Allamakee Co.]. NC, NE Yes Yes .
Juniperus virginiana L. . Red cedar Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana L. var. virginiana Dry, open woods; rocky bluffs; pastures. Common E 1/2; infrequent to frequent W. All Yes Yes .
Thuja occidentalis L. . Arbor vitae Cupressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. . Cultivated. Occasionally becoming estabished in plantations. Rare. Scattered populations. . No No FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.

The following Pinaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Author
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Common
Name		 Family
[FNA]		 Scientific
Name
[FNA]		 Author
[FNA]		 Subspecific
Category
[FNA]		 Habitat Abundance & Distribution Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied		 US
Native?		 IA
Native?		 Special
Notes
Abies balsamea (L.) Miller . Balsam fir Pinaceae Abies balsamea (L.) Miller . Steep, north-facing bluffs. Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clinton, Howard, & Winneshiek Co.]. NE Yes Yes .
Pinus strobus L. . White pine Pinaceae Pinus strobus L. . Often sandy or rocky, steep, wooded slopes & ledges. Rare in E 1/2; Frequent in Plaleozoic Plateau. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .

The following Taxaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Author
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]		 Common
Name		 Family
[FNA]		 Scientific
Name
[FNA]		 Author
[FNA]		 Subspecific
Category
[FNA]		 Habitat Abundance & Distribution Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied		 US
Native?		 IA
Native?		 Special
Notes
Taxus canadensis Marsh. . American yew Taxaceae Taxus canadensis Marsh. . Steep, moist wooded calcareous slopes. Often with talus. Infrequent to frequent NE & E. Rare SE. NE, EC, SE Yes Yes .

A total of 7 gymnosperms have been recorded from the state of Iowa.

Plants of Iowa Homepage

Return to the Previous Page