Field Guide

Bottomland forest
FIELD GUIDE A-Z
Learn about the habitat, diet, and life cycle of Missouri's animals, plants, and mushrooms.
What to look for this month
Dried round-headed bush clover stalk on a prairie planting in mid-January
Round-Headed Bush Clover

A valuable but undersung, drought-tolerant native wildflower. In winter, its bristly round flower heads can be used in dried floral arrangements.

Photo of blue jay perched on branch
Blue Jay

Blue jays visit bird feeders in winter. Bird watchers enjoy their lovely blue hues and their colorful, sassy attitudes.

Illustration of shortleaf pine needles, twig, cones.
Shortleaf Pine

Missouri’s only native pine was once widespread in the Ozarks. After decades of efforts, shortleaf pine woodlands are coming back.

Trunks and fallen logs showing gnaw marks of beaver
Beaver Sign

In winter, beaver eat mostly woody plants, including the bark, new twigs, and new bark growth of a variety of trees and woody vines.

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