Sandbar Willow – Salix interior Native
Native in 49 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
South Dakota native plants
USDA PLANTS records 250 plants as native to South Dakota (SD) and routinely sold by nurseries. Each one is mapped by county, so you can see which grow wild where you live.
South Dakota native plant list
This list has 250 South Dakota natives that nurseries routinely sell: 33 trees, 40 shrubs, 81 wildflowers, 85 grasses and sedges, 5 ferns and 6 vines. The most widespread include Mexican Hat, Sandbar Willow and Devil's Beggartick, each recorded as native in at least 48 of South Dakota's 66 counties. Checked against USDA PLANTS on June 13, 2026.
Western Snowberry – Symphoricarpos occidentalis Native
Native in 47 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Mexican Hat – Ratibida columnifera Native
Native in 57 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Prairie Cordgrass – Spartina pectinata Native
Native in 48 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Field Horsetail – Equisetum arvense Native
Native in 17 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A horsetail for sun or part shade.
Riverbank Grape – Vitis riparia Native
Native in 32 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine for sun or part shade.
Chokecherry – Prunus virginiana Native
Native in 47 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Leadplant – Amorpha canescens Native
Native in 42 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers.
Devil's Beggartick – Bidens frondosa Native
Native in 48 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Canada Wildrye – Elymus canadensis Native
Native in 46 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Woodland Horsetail – Equisetum sylvaticum Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A horsetail that tolerates shade.
American Bittersweet – Celastrus scandens Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Peachleaf Willow – Salix amygdaloides Native
Native in 42 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun.
American Plum – Prunus americana Native
Native in 38 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 24 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Nodding Beggartick – Bidens cernua Native
Native in 44 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii Native
Native in 42 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Western Brackenfern – Pteridium aquilinum Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Western Virgin's Bower – Clematis ligusticifolia Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Green Ash – Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native
Native in 36 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 80 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Golden Currant – Ribes aureum Native
Native in 27 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Woolly Yarrow – Achillea tomentosa Native
Native in 40 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Blue Grama – Bouteloua gracilis Native
Native in 39 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Common Maidenhair – Adiantum capillus-veneris Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Groundnut – Apios americana Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Burr Oak – Quercus macrocarpa Native
Native in 27 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Woods' Rose – Rosa woodsii Native
Native in 27 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Water Knotweed – Polygonum amphibium Native
Native in 37 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Softstem Bulrush – Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Native
Native in 36 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Water Horsetail – Equisetum fluviatile Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A horsetail for full sun and wet soil.
Virginia Creeper – Parthenocissus quinquefolia Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Box Elder – Acer negundo Native
Native in 22 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Prairie Sagewort – Artemisia frigida Native
Native in 24 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft for sun or part shade.
Canada Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis Native
Native in 35 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Green Needlegrass – Nassella viridula Native
Native in 35 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Trumpet Vine – Campsis radicans Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A vine for full sun, with summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Eastern Cottonwood – Populus deltoides Native
Native in 21 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 190 ft for full sun and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Skunkbush Sumac – Rhus trilobata Native
Native in 23 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Dotted Blazing Star – Liatris punctata Native
Native in 34 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum Native
Native in 35 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Plains Cottonwood – Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera Native
Native in 21 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 85 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Sandcherry – Prunus pumila Native
Native in 22 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Wild Mint – Mentha arvensis Native
Native in 31 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with spring flowers.
Sideoats Grama – Bouteloua curtipendula Native
Native in 34 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
American Elm – Ulmus americana Native
Native in 18 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Western Sand Cherry – Prunus besseyi Native
Native in 22 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for full sun, with early spring flowers and showy fruit.
Arumleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria cuneata Native
Native in 30 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with showy flowers.
June Grass – Koeleria macrantha Native
Native in 31 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Common Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis Native
Native in 14 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Western Service Berry – Amelanchier alnifolia Native
Native in 20 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Broadfruit Bur-Reed – Sparganium eurycarpum Native
Native in 27 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Fox Sedge – Carex vulpinoidea Native
Native in 30 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Hophornbeam – Ostrya virginiana Native
Native in 13 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 45 ft that tolerates shade.
Silver Buffaloberry – Shepherdia argentea Native
Native in 19 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 18 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Swamp Milkweed – Asclepias incarnata Native
Native in 27 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with fall flowers.
Cloaked Bulrush – Scirpus pallidus Native
Native in 29 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
American Linden – Tilia americana Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
Silver Sagebrush – Artemisia cana Native
Native in 19 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 5 ft for full sun.
Downy Paintedcup – Castilleja sessiliflora Native
Native in 26 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with mid-spring flowers.
Common Spikerush – Eleocharis palustris Native
Native in 29 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Nannyberry – Viburnum lentago Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 28 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Red Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Pennsylvania Smartweed – Polygonum pensylvanicum Native
Native in 26 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium Native
Native in 28 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Quaking Aspen – Populus tremuloides Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Red-Barked Dogwood – Cornus alba Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Showy Milkweed – Asclepias speciosa Native
Native in 26 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Prairie Sandreed – Calamovilfa longifolia Native
Native in 26 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Silver Maple – Acer saccharinum Native
Native in 10 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 90 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil, with early spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Giant Goldenrod – Solidago gigantea Native
Native in 25 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with showy flowers and fall colour.
Needle and Thread – Hesperostipa comata comata Native
Native in 25 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with showy fruit.
Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 85 ft that tolerates shade.
Smooth Sumac – Rhus glabra Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Duckweed – Lemna minor Native
Native in 24 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Needle and Thread Grass – Stipa comata Native
Native in 25 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with showy fruit.
Eastern Redcedar – Juniperus virginiana Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 50 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Yellow Willow – Salix lutea Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft for sun or part shade.
Golden Tickseed – Coreopsis tinctoria Native
Native in 23 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Virginia Wildrye – Elymus virginicus Native
Native in 25 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Ponderosa Pine – Pinus ponderosa Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen tree up to 223 ft for full sun.
Black Raspberry – Rubus occidentalis Native
Native in 10 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Wild Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa Native
Native in 23 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Sand Dropseed – Sporobolus cryptandrus Native
Native in 24 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Missouri River Willow – Salix eriocephala Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 52 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
American Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 7 ft for full sun, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
American Water Horehound – Lycopus americanus Native
Native in 22 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Western Wheatgrass – Pascopyrum smithii Native
Native in 24 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pussy Willow – Salix discolor Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 40 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Fourwing Saltbush – Atriplex canescens Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Broadleaf Cattail – Typha latifolia Native
Native in 22 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Needle Spikerush – Eleocharis acicularis Native
Native in 23 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Rocky Mountain Juniper – Juniperus scopulorum Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen tree up to 50 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Rough-Leaf Dogwood – Cornus drummondii Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Broadleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria latifolia Native
Native in 20 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Salt Grass – Distichlis spicata Native
Native in 23 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Paper Birch – Betula papyrifera Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and fall colour.
Wax Currant – Ribes cereum Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Canada Germander – Teucrium canadense Native
Native in 19 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Fragrant Flatsedge – Cyperus odoratus Native
Native in 20 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Honey Locust – Gleditsia triacanthos Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Juniper – Juniperus communis Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 10 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Longbeak Buttercup – Ranunculus longirostris Native
Native in 18 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Inland Rush – Juncus interior Native
Native in 19 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Creeping Barberry – Mahonia repens Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 2 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Jerusalem Artichoke – Helianthus tuberosus Native
Native in 16 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Torrey's Rush – Juncus torreyi Native
Native in 18 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Eastern Black Walnut – Juglans nigra Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Gardner's Saltbush – Atriplex gardneri Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun.
Black-Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta Native
Native in 15 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for full sun, with summer flowers.
California Field Sedge – Carex praegracilis Native
Native in 17 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Pin Cherry – Prunus pensylvanica Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 6 in for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Littleleaf Buttercup – Ranunculus abortivus Native
Native in 15 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A plant that tolerates shade.
Wheat Sedge – Carex atherodes Native
Native in 17 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Water Birch – Betula occidentalis Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade.
Winterfat – Krascheninnikovia lanata Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 2 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Philadelphia Daisy – Erigeron philadelphicus Native
Native in 15 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Yellow Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans Native
Native in 15 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Alberta Spruce – Picea glauca Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade.
American Hazelnut – Corylus americana Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Canadian Milkvetch – Astragalus canadensis Native
Native in 14 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Fowl Bluegrass – Poa palustris Native
Native in 14 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Balsam Poplar – Populus balsamifera Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun.
Beaked Hazelnut – Corylus cornuta Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Longleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton nodosus Native
Native in 14 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Fowl Mannagrass – Glyceria striata Native
Native in 12 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Western Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Big Sagebrush – Artemisia tridentata Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 4 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Pennsylvania Buttercup – Ranunculus pensylvanicus Native
Native in 13 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Northern Reedgrass – Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa Native
Native in 12 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil, with fall colour.
Narrowleaf Cottonwood – Populus angustifolia Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Creeping Juniper – Juniperus horizontalis Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 4 ft for full sun.
Nuttall's Sunflower – Helianthus nuttallii Native
Native in 12 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Eastern Woodland Sedge – Carex blanda Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Osage-Orange – Maclura pomifera Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A tree up to 35 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Russet Buffaloberry – Shepherdia canadensis Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Star Duckweed – Lemna trisulca Native
Native in 11 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Upright Sedge – Carex stricta Native
Native in 10 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Beach Pine – Pinus contorta Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An evergreen tree up to 99 ft for full sun.
Shining Willow – Salix lucida Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 13 ft for sun or part shade.
Coon's Tail – Ceratophyllum demersum Native
Native in 10 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Bluejoint – Calamagrostis canadensis Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
White Meadowsweet – Spiraea alba Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
White Doll's Daisy – Boltonia asteroides Native
Native in 10 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Indian Rice Grass – Stipa hymenoides Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Diamondleaf Willow – Salix planifolia Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 8 ft for full sun.
Common Cowparsnip – Heracleum maximum Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Indian Ricegrass – Achnatherum hymenoides Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Gray Dogwood – Cornus racemosa Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Common Goldstar – Hypoxis hirsuta Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers.
Knotted Rush – Juncus nodosus Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Rabbit Brush – Chrysothamnus nauseosus Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Common Sneeze Weed – Helenium autumnale Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with fall flowers.
Smallwing Sedge – Carex microptera Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Mountain Mahogany – Cercocarpus montanus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft for sun or part shade.
Silverweed – Potentilla anserina Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Awlfruit Sedge – Carex stipata Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Alderleaf Buckthorn – Rhamnus alnifolia Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Silverweed Cinquefoil – Argentina anserina Native
Native in 9 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Broom Sedge – Carex scoparia Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Squashberry – Viburnum edule Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Bristly Buttercup – Ranunculus hispidus Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers.
Golden Sedge – Carex aurea Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Cutleaf Coneflower – Rudbeckia laciniata Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Rice Cutgrass – Leersia oryzoides Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Great Blanket Flower – Gaillardia aristata Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Troublesome Sedge – Carex molesta Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Jack in the Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Blue Wildrye – Elymus glaucus Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Pinnate Prairie Coneflower – Ratibida pinnata Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Fringed Brome – Bromus ciliatus Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Sawtooth Sunflower – Helianthus grosseserratus Native
Native in 8 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Longstyle Rush – Juncus longistylis Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
American Speedwell – Veronica americana Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Nebraska Sedge – Carex nebrascensis Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Common Duckmeat – Spirodela polyrrhiza Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late summer flowers.
Nuttall's Alkaligrass – Puccinellia nuttalliana Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Illinois Bundleflower – Desmanthus illinoensis Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Sand Bluestem – Andropogon hallii Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Lewis Flax – Linum lewisii Native
Native in 7 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with showy flowers.
Bebb's Sedge – Carex bebbii Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Closed Bottle Gentian – Gentiana andrewsii Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers and fall colour.
Bicknell's Sedge – Carex bicknellii Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Nodding Waternymph – Najas flexilis Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Crested Sedge – Carex cristatella Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Seep Monkeyflower – Mimulus guttatus Native
Native in 6 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Dwarf Spikerush – Eleocharis parvula Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Prairie Dropseed – Sporobolus heterolepis Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Common Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Thickspike Wheatgrass – Elymus lanceolatus lanceolatus Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Crowned Beggarticks – Bidens coronata Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Alkali Cordgrass – Spartina gracilis Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Darkthroat Shootingstar – Dodecatheon pulchellum Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Longhair Sedge – Carex comosa Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Pale Touch-Me-Not – Impatiens pallida Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual that tolerates shade.
Poverty Rush – Juncus tenuis Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Sticky Cinquefoil – Potentilla glandulosa Native
Native in 5 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Toad Rush – Juncus bufonius Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual rush for full sun and wet soil.
Ditch Stonecrop – Penthorum sedoides Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade.
Panicled Bulrush – Scirpus microcarpus Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Largeleaf Avens – Geum macrophyllum Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Softleaf Sedge – Carex disperma Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Tall Cottongrass – Eriophorum angustifolium Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Partridge Pea – Chamaecrista fasciculata Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual wildflower that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers.
Basin Wild Rye – Elymus cInereus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Purpleleaf Willowherb – Epilobium coloratum Native
Native in 4 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Basin Wildrye – Leymus cinereus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Alpine Sweetvetch – Hedysarum alpinum Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers and fall colour.
Limestone Meadow Sedge – Carex granularis Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Cinquefoil – Potentilla gracilis Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Mexican Muhly – Muhlenbergia mexicana Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Columbian Monkshood – Aconitum columbianum Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers.
Mountain Brome – Bromus marginatus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Common Blue Violet – Viola sororia Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Sand Lovegrass – Eragrostis trichodes Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Dotted Smartweed – Polygonum punctatum Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Strawcolored Flatsedge – Cyperus strigosus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun, with showy fruit.
Purplestem Beggarticks – Bidens connata Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Timber Oatgrass – Danthonia intermedia Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Rocky Mountain Iris – Iris missouriensis Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with spring flowers and showy fruit.
Water Sedge – Carex aquatilis Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Sticky Purple Geranium – Geranium viscosissimum Native
Native in 3 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Whitegrass – Leersia virginica Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
American Eelgrass – Vallisneria americana Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Woolgrass – Scirpus cyperinus Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Arrowleaf Balsam Root – Balsamorhiza sagittata Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Alkalai Sacaton – Sporobolus airoides Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Indian Blanket – Gaillardia pulchella Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for full sun, with showy flowers.
Alpine Timothy – Phleum alpinum Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Largeleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton amplifolius Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Fall Panicgrass – Panicum dichotomiflorum Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. An annual grass for full sun and wet soil.
Purple Avens – Geum rivale Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with mid-spring flowers.
Grassleaf Rush – Juncus marginatus Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Swamp Smartweed – Polygonum hydropiperoides Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Greater Bladder Sedge – Carex intumescens Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Tanseyleaf Tansyaster – Machaeranthera tanacetifolia Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers.
Green Bulrush – Scirpus atrovirens Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun.
Wild Blue Phlox – Phlox divaricata Native
Native in 2 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Hairy Sedge – Carex lacustris Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Buckbean – Menyanthes trifoliata Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Jointleaf Rush – Juncus articulatus Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Prairie Blazing Star – Liatris pycnostachya Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Little Green Sedge – Carex viridula Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Rufous Bulrush – Scirpus pendulus Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Slender Wheatgrass – Elymus trachycaulus trachycaulus Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Spike Trisetum – Trisetum spicatum Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Winter Bentgrass – Agrostis hyemalis Native
Native in 1 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil.
No plant on this page matches that.
USDA records 228 of these 250 plants as native in fewer than half of South Dakota’s counties. The map on each card shows where. A county with no record may never have been surveyed for that plant, so look at the counties around yours too, or use the county checker for an address-level answer.
South Dakota’s own list regulates 7 plants. None of them is on this page. South Dakota noxious weeds has each one, with the rule cited.
Want to check a plant by photo or county?
Use our “Is it native” tool for free.Compiled from USDA PLANTS, retrieved June 13, 2026. If you spot a plant we have wrong, tell us at [email protected].
The same list as a table
| Plant | Scientific name | Type | Light | Native counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Spruce | Picea glauca | Tree | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Alderleaf Buckthorn | Rhamnus alnifolia | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 1 of 66 |
| Alkalai Sacaton | Sporobolus airoides | Grass | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Alkali Cordgrass | Spartina gracilis | Grass | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Alpine Sweetvetch | Hedysarum alpinum | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Alpine Timothy | Phleum alpinum | Grass | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | Vine | Tolerates shade | 16 of 66 |
| American Black Elderberry | Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 9 of 66 |
| American Eelgrass | Vallisneria americana | Perennial | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| American Elm | Ulmus americana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 18 of 66 |
| American Hazelnut | Corylus americana | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| American Linden | Tilia americana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 11 of 66 |
| American Plum | Prunus americana | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 38 of 66 |
| American Speedwell | Veronica americana | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 7 of 66 |
| American Water Horehound | Lycopus americanus | Perennial | Tolerates shade | 22 of 66 |
| Arrowleaf Balsam Root | Balsamorhiza sagittata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Arumleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria cuneata | Wildflower | Full sun | 30 of 66 |
| Awlfruit Sedge | Carex stipata | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 7 of 66 |
| Balsam Poplar | Populus balsamifera | Tree | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Basin Wild Rye | Elymus cInereus | Grass | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Basin Wildrye | Leymus cinereus | Grass | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Beach Pine | Pinus contorta | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Beaked Hazelnut | Corylus cornuta | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Bebb's Sedge | Carex bebbii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Bicknell's Sedge | Carex bicknellii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | Grass | Full sun | 42 of 66 |
| Big Sagebrush | Artemisia tridentata | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 10 of 66 |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower | Full sun | 15 of 66 |
| Blue Grama | Bouteloua gracilis | Grass | Full sun | 39 of 66 |
| Blue Wildrye | Elymus glaucus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 6 of 66 |
| Bluejoint | Calamagrostis canadensis | Grass | Full sun | 9 of 66 |
| Box Elder | Acer negundo | Tree | Tolerates shade | 22 of 66 |
| Bristly Buttercup | Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 8 of 66 |
| Broadfruit Bur-Reed | Sparganium eurycarpum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 27 of 66 |
| Broadleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria latifolia | Wildflower | Full sun | 20 of 66 |
| Broadleaf Cattail | Typha latifolia | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 22 of 66 |
| Broom Sedge | Carex scoparia | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 7 of 66 |
| Buckbean | Menyanthes trifoliata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| Burr Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | Sun or part shade | 27 of 66 |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | Wildflower | Full sun | 5 of 66 |
| California Field Sedge | Carex praegracilis | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 17 of 66 |
| Canada Germander | Teucrium canadense | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 19 of 66 |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 35 of 66 |
| Canada Wildrye | Elymus canadensis | Grass | Tolerates shade | 46 of 66 |
| Canadian Milkvetch | Astragalus canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 14 of 66 |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | Tree | Full sun | 47 of 66 |
| Cinquefoil | Potentilla gracilis | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Cloaked Bulrush | Scirpus pallidus | Sedge | Full sun | 29 of 66 |
| Closed Bottle Gentian | Gentiana andrewsii | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 6 of 66 |
| Columbian Monkshood | Aconitum columbianum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Common Cowparsnip | Heracleum maximum | Wildflower | Full sun | 9 of 66 |
| Common Duckmeat | Spirodela polyrrhiza | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 7 of 66 |
| Common Duckweed | Lemna minor | Perennial | Full sun | 24 of 66 |
| Common Goldstar | Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 9 of 66 |
| Common Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 14 of 66 |
| Common Juniper | Juniperus communis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Common Maidenhair | Adiantum capillus-veneris | Fern | Tolerates shade | 1 of 66 |
| Common Selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| Common Sneeze Weed | Helenium autumnale | Wildflower | Full sun | 9 of 66 |
| Common Spikerush | Eleocharis palustris | Sedge | Full sun | 29 of 66 |
| Coon's Tail | Ceratophyllum demersum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 10 of 66 |
| Creeping Barberry | Mahonia repens | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 6 of 66 |
| Creeping Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis | Shrub | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Crested Sedge | Carex cristatella | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Crowned Beggarticks | Bidens coronata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| Cutleaf Coneflower | Rudbeckia laciniata | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 8 of 66 |
| Darkthroat Shootingstar | Dodecatheon pulchellum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| Devil's Beggartick | Bidens frondosa | Annual | Sun or part shade | 48 of 66 |
| Diamondleaf Willow | Salix planifolia | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Ditch Stonecrop | Penthorum sedoides | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Dotted Blazing Star | Liatris punctata | Wildflower | Full sun | 34 of 66 |
| Dotted Smartweed | Polygonum punctatum | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Downy Paintedcup | Castilleja sessiliflora | Wildflower | Full sun | 26 of 66 |
| Dwarf Spikerush | Eleocharis parvula | Sedge | Full sun | 5 of 66 |
| Eastern Black Walnut | Juglans nigra | Tree | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Eastern Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | Tree | Full sun | 21 of 66 |
| Eastern Redcedar | Juniperus virginiana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 8 of 66 |
| Eastern Woodland Sedge | Carex blanda | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 11 of 66 |
| Fall Panicgrass | Panicum dichotomiflorum | Grass | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Field Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Horsetail | Sun or part shade | 17 of 66 |
| Fourwing Saltbush | Atriplex canescens | Shrub | Full sun | 9 of 66 |
| Fowl Bluegrass | Poa palustris | Grass | Sun or part shade | 14 of 66 |
| Fowl Mannagrass | Glyceria striata | Grass | Tolerates shade | 12 of 66 |
| Fox Sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 30 of 66 |
| Fragrant Flatsedge | Cyperus odoratus | Sedge | Full sun | 20 of 66 |
| Fringed Brome | Bromus ciliatus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 6 of 66 |
| Gardner's Saltbush | Atriplex gardneri | Shrub | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Giant Goldenrod | Solidago gigantea | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 25 of 66 |
| Golden Currant | Ribes aureum | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 27 of 66 |
| Golden Sedge | Carex aurea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 7 of 66 |
| Golden Tickseed | Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 23 of 66 |
| Grassleaf Rush | Juncus marginatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 3 of 66 |
| Great Blanket Flower | Gaillardia aristata | Wildflower | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Greater Bladder Sedge | Carex intumescens | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 1 of 66 |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Tree | Tolerates shade | 36 of 66 |
| Green Bulrush | Scirpus atrovirens | Sedge | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Green Needlegrass | Nassella viridula | Grass | Full sun | 35 of 66 |
| Groundnut | Apios americana | Vine | Tolerates shade | 4 of 66 |
| Hairy Sedge | Carex lacustris | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 1 of 66 |
| Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos | Tree | Full sun | 5 of 66 |
| Hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 13 of 66 |
| Illinois Bundleflower | Desmanthus illinoensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Indian Blanket | Gaillardia pulchella | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Indian Rice Grass | Stipa hymenoides | Grass | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Indian Ricegrass | Achnatherum hymenoides | Grass | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Inland Rush | Juncus interior | Rush | Sun or part shade | 19 of 66 |
| Jack in the Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 8 of 66 |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 16 of 66 |
| Jointleaf Rush | Juncus articulatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| June Grass | Koeleria macrantha | Grass | Tolerates shade | 31 of 66 |
| Kinnikinnick | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 6 of 66 |
| Knotted Rush | Juncus nodosus | Rush | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Largeleaf Avens | Geum macrophyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 4 of 66 |
| Largeleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton amplifolius | Perennial | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Leadplant | Amorpha canescens | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 42 of 66 |
| Lewis Flax | Linum lewisii | Wildflower | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Limestone Meadow Sedge | Carex granularis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 2 of 66 |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | Grass | Full sun | 28 of 66 |
| Little Green Sedge | Carex viridula | Sedge | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Littleleaf Buttercup | Ranunculus abortivus | Plant | Tolerates shade | 15 of 66 |
| Longbeak Buttercup | Ranunculus longirostris | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 18 of 66 |
| Longhair Sedge | Carex comosa | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Longleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton nodosus | Perennial | Full sun | 14 of 66 |
| Longstyle Rush | Juncus longistylis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 6 of 66 |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | Wildflower | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Mexican Hat | Ratibida columnifera | Wildflower | Full sun | 57 of 66 |
| Mexican Muhly | Muhlenbergia mexicana | Grass | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Missouri River Willow | Salix eriocephala | Tree | Tolerates shade | 7 of 66 |
| Mountain Brome | Bromus marginatus | Grass | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Mountain Mahogany | Cercocarpus montanus | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | Tree | Tolerates shade | 11 of 66 |
| Narrowleaf Cottonwood | Populus angustifolia | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Nebraska Sedge | Carex nebrascensis | Sedge | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Needle and Thread | Hesperostipa comata comata | Grass | Full sun | 25 of 66 |
| Needle and Thread Grass | Stipa comata | Grass | Full sun | 25 of 66 |
| Needle Spikerush | Eleocharis acicularis | Sedge | Full sun | 23 of 66 |
| Nodding Beggartick | Bidens cernua | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 44 of 66 |
| Nodding Waternymph | Najas flexilis | Annual | Sun or part shade | 6 of 66 |
| Northern Reedgrass | Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa | Grass | Sun or part shade | 12 of 66 |
| Nuttall's Alkaligrass | Puccinellia nuttalliana | Grass | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Nuttall's Sunflower | Helianthus nuttallii | Wildflower | Full sun | 12 of 66 |
| Osage-Orange | Maclura pomifera | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Pale Touch-Me-Not | Impatiens pallida | Annual | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Panicled Bulrush | Scirpus microcarpus | Sedge | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | Tree | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 4 of 66 |
| Peachleaf Willow | Salix amygdaloides | Tree | Full sun | 42 of 66 |
| Pennsylvania Buttercup | Ranunculus pensylvanicus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 13 of 66 |
| Pennsylvania Smartweed | Polygonum pensylvanicum | Wildflower | Full sun | 26 of 66 |
| Philadelphia Daisy | Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 15 of 66 |
| Pin Cherry | Prunus pensylvanica | Tree | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Pinnate Prairie Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | Wildflower | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Plains Cottonwood | Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera | Tree | Full sun | 21 of 66 |
| Ponderosa Pine | Pinus ponderosa | Tree | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Poverty Rush | Juncus tenuis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Prairie Blazing Star | Liatris pycnostachya | Wildflower | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Prairie Cordgrass | Spartina pectinata | Grass | Full sun | 48 of 66 |
| Prairie Dropseed | Sporobolus heterolepis | Grass | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| Prairie Sagewort | Artemisia frigida | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 24 of 66 |
| Prairie Sandreed | Calamovilfa longifolia | Grass | Full sun | 26 of 66 |
| Purple Avens | Geum rivale | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Purpleleaf Willowherb | Epilobium coloratum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Purplestem Beggarticks | Bidens connata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Pussy Willow | Salix discolor | Tree | Tolerates shade | 7 of 66 |
| Quaking Aspen | Populus tremuloides | Tree | Full sun | 11 of 66 |
| Rabbit Brush | Chrysothamnus nauseosus | Shrub | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Red Osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 16 of 66 |
| Red-Barked Dogwood | Cornus alba | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 16 of 66 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 16 of 66 |
| Rice Cutgrass | Leersia oryzoides | Grass | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Riverbank Grape | Vitis riparia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 32 of 66 |
| Rocky Mountain Iris | Iris missouriensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Rocky Mountain Juniper | Juniperus scopulorum | Tree | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Rough-Leaf Dogwood | Cornus drummondii | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 8 of 66 |
| Rufous Bulrush | Scirpus pendulus | Sedge | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Russet Buffaloberry | Shepherdia canadensis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Salt Grass | Distichlis spicata | Grass | Full sun | 23 of 66 |
| Sand Bluestem | Andropogon hallii | Grass | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Sand Dropseed | Sporobolus cryptandrus | Grass | Full sun | 24 of 66 |
| Sand Lovegrass | Eragrostis trichodes | Grass | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix interior | Tree | Full sun | 49 of 66 |
| Sandcherry | Prunus pumila | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 22 of 66 |
| Sawtooth Sunflower | Helianthus grosseserratus | Wildflower | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Seep Monkeyflower | Mimulus guttatus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 6 of 66 |
| Shining Willow | Salix lucida | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Showy Milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | Wildflower | Full sun | 26 of 66 |
| Sideoats Grama | Bouteloua curtipendula | Grass | Full sun | 34 of 66 |
| Silver Buffaloberry | Shepherdia argentea | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 19 of 66 |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum | Tree | Sun or part shade | 10 of 66 |
| Silver Sagebrush | Artemisia cana | Shrub | Full sun | 19 of 66 |
| Silverweed | Potentilla anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 9 of 66 |
| Silverweed Cinquefoil | Argentina anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 9 of 66 |
| Skunkbush Sumac | Rhus trilobata | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 23 of 66 |
| Slender Wheatgrass | Elymus trachycaulus trachycaulus | Grass | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | Tree | Tolerates shade | 9 of 66 |
| Smallwing Sedge | Carex microptera | Sedge | Full sun | 8 of 66 |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 16 of 66 |
| Softleaf Sedge | Carex disperma | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 3 of 66 |
| Softstem Bulrush | Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | Sedge | Full sun | 36 of 66 |
| Spike Trisetum | Trisetum spicatum | Grass | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| Squashberry | Viburnum edule | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 1 of 66 |
| Star Duckweed | Lemna trisulca | Perennial | Full sun | 11 of 66 |
| Sticky Cinquefoil | Potentilla glandulosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 5 of 66 |
| Sticky Purple Geranium | Geranium viscosissimum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 3 of 66 |
| Strawcolored Flatsedge | Cyperus strigosus | Sedge | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | Tree | Tolerates shade | 5 of 66 |
| Swamp Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Wildflower | Full sun | 27 of 66 |
| Swamp Smartweed | Polygonum hydropiperoides | Perennial | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Switchgrass | Panicum virgatum | Grass | Full sun | 35 of 66 |
| Tall Cottongrass | Eriophorum angustifolium | Sedge | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Tanseyleaf Tansyaster | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Thickspike Wheatgrass | Elymus lanceolatus lanceolatus | Grass | Full sun | 5 of 66 |
| Timber Oatgrass | Danthonia intermedia | Grass | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Toad Rush | Juncus bufonius | Rush | Full sun | 4 of 66 |
| Torrey's Rush | Juncus torreyi | Rush | Full sun | 18 of 66 |
| Troublesome Sedge | Carex molesta | Sedge | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Trumpet Vine | Campsis radicans | Vine | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Upright Sedge | Carex stricta | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 10 of 66 |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Virginia Wildrye | Elymus virginicus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 25 of 66 |
| Water Birch | Betula occidentalis | Tree | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Water Horsetail | Equisetum fluviatile | Horsetail | Full sun | 1 of 66 |
| Water Knotweed | Polygonum amphibium | Perennial | Full sun | 37 of 66 |
| Water Sedge | Carex aquatilis | Sedge | Full sun | 2 of 66 |
| Wax Currant | Ribes cereum | Shrub | Full sun | 7 of 66 |
| Western Brackenfern | Pteridium aquilinum | Fern | Tolerates shade | 3 of 66 |
| Western Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | Tree | Full sun | 3 of 66 |
| Western Sand Cherry | Prunus besseyi | Shrub | Full sun | 22 of 66 |
| Western Service Berry | Amelanchier alnifolia | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 20 of 66 |
| Western Snowberry | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 47 of 66 |
| Western Virgin's Bower | Clematis ligusticifolia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 8 of 66 |
| Western Wheatgrass | Pascopyrum smithii | Grass | Full sun | 24 of 66 |
| Wheat Sedge | Carex atherodes | Sedge | Full sun | 17 of 66 |
| White Doll's Daisy | Boltonia asteroides | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 10 of 66 |
| White Meadowsweet | Spiraea alba | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 4 of 66 |
| Whitegrass | Leersia virginica | Grass | Tolerates shade | 2 of 66 |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 23 of 66 |
| Wild Blue Phlox | Phlox divaricata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 31 of 66 |
| Winter Bentgrass | Agrostis hyemalis | Grass | Sun or part shade | 1 of 66 |
| Winterfat | Krascheninnikovia lanata | Shrub | Full sun | 6 of 66 |
| Woodland Horsetail | Equisetum sylvaticum | Horsetail | Tolerates shade | 4 of 66 |
| Woods' Rose | Rosa woodsii | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 27 of 66 |
| Woolgrass | Scirpus cyperinus | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 2 of 66 |
| Woolly Yarrow | Achillea tomentosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 40 of 66 |
| Yellow Indian Grass | Sorghastrum nutans | Grass | Full sun | 15 of 66 |
| Yellow Willow | Salix lutea | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 11 of 66 |
Where this comes from
- Native range
- USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, the same records behind the county checker.
- Sold by nurseries
- USDA PLANTS plant characteristics, Commercial Availability “Routinely Available”. It is a national flag, so a plant here can still be hard to find at a garden centre near you.
- Plant details
- USDA PLANTS: growth habit and duration from the plant profile; shade and wet-soil tolerance, bloom period, mature height and showy flowers, fruit or fall colour from the plant characteristics.
- Left out
- Any plant a state regulates as invasive or noxious, or that GRIIS flags as invasive in the lower 48, even where it is native. So is any species USDA records as both native and introduced in the lower 48, because the form nurseries sell is usually the introduced one.
- Photos
- Public domain, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-SA, credited under each photo.
- Citation
- USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov), retrieved June 13, 2026. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Questions
What plants are native to South Dakota?
This page lists the 250 plants that USDA PLANTS records as native to South Dakota and routinely available from nurseries: 33 trees, 40 shrubs, 81 wildflowers, 85 grasses and sedges, 5 ferns and 6 vines. They are a small part of South Dakota's native flora, chosen because you can buy them. Each one carries a map of the South Dakota counties where USDA records it growing wild.
What trees are native to South Dakota?
This page lists 33 trees native to South Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Sandbar Willow, Chokecherry and Peachleaf Willow, each recorded as native in at least 42 of South Dakota's 66 counties.
What shrubs are native to South Dakota?
This page lists 40 shrubs native to South Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Western Snowberry, Leadplant and American Plum, each recorded as native in at least 38 of South Dakota's 66 counties.
What wildflowers are native to South Dakota?
This page lists 81 wildflowers native to South Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Mexican Hat, Devil's Beggartick and Nodding Beggartick, each recorded as native in at least 44 of South Dakota's 66 counties.
Is my plant native to South Dakota?
Search this page by common or scientific name. A plant missing from it can still be native to South Dakota: the page lists only natives that nurseries routinely sell, and it leaves out any plant a state regulates as invasive. For a county-level answer on any plant, enter its name in Ezina's checker. Every answer links the record it came from.
Is a plant native to South Dakota native everywhere in South Dakota?
Not necessarily. USDA records nativity county by county, and 228 of the 250 plants on this page are recorded as native in fewer than half of South Dakota's 66 counties. A county with no record may simply never have been surveyed for that plant, so read each card's map as where the plant is known to grow wild rather than as a boundary.
Grow natives easily with Ezina
How it works
We provide the tools you need to succeed.
010.1Identify
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
010.2Care
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
010.3Plan
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Compiled from peer-reviewed research, USDA documentation,
and direct scientific observation across the United States.