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IN PHOTOS: Patterns in Nature, looking at Native Plants

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3–4 minutes

Patterns in nature are everywhere in the natural world. At the Missouri Botanical Garden, we are exploring these natural patterns through Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO, on display through September 26.

On your next visit to the Garden, Butterfly House, or Shaw Nature Reserve, you can also explore natural patterns all around you. Take a closer look at flowers, trees, and insects. As we celebrate Native Plant Month this April, try looking closely for patterns in some of Missouri’s native flora.

Patterns in Nature: Flowers

Many Missouri native wildflowers produce petals, flowers, and bracts with interesting patterns.

Virginia Bluebell, Mertensia virginica

Bloom time: March/April

Virginia bluebells in the English Woodland Garden. Photo by Tom Incrocci.

Golden ragwort, Packera aurea

Bloom Time: April

Golden ragwort blooms in the Strassenfest German Garden. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Robin’s plantain, Erigeron pulchellus

Bloom Time: April to June

Photo courtesy of Living Collection Management System.

Sand Phlox, Phlox Bifida

Bloom time: May

The purple blooms of sand phlox. Photo courtesy of Living Collections Management System.

Blue star, Amsonia ciliata

Bloom time: May

Blue star in the entry gardens at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Photo by Kelly Cato.

Coneflowers

Bloom time: June to August

06 June
2023
Summer
Kemper Center
Justin A. and Rose J. Naumann Experimental Garden
Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, ‘Rubinstern’ Ruby Star, Asteraceae
Sundos Schneider
Pale purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida
Starting at upper left: Yellow coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa. Photo by Mary Lou Olson. Purple coneflowers, Echinacea purpurea. Photo by Tom Incrocii. Gray coneflower, Ratibida pinnata. Photo by Matilda Adams. Pale purple coneflowers, Echinacea pallida. Photo by Tom Incrocci.

Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis 

Bloom time: June

A bee sits on a buttonbush bloom at Shaw Nature Reserve. Photo by Matilda Adams.

Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium

Bloom time: June to September

Rattlesnake master blooms in the Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Purple Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata

Bloom time: July to September

Purple passionflower, also known as maypops, bloom at the Garden. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Aromatic aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Bloom time: September to November

Aromatic aster, also called fall-blooming aster, in bloom in the Carver Garden in October. Photo by Tom Incrocci.

Patterns in Nature: Leaves and cones

Patterns in nature aren’t just found in a plant’s flowers; its leaves, fruit, and bark can have eye-catching patterns, too.

red buckeye, Aesculus pavia

Red buckeye at Shaw Nature Reserve. Photo by Matilda Adams.

Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris

The vegetative fronds of the ostrich fern emerge at the narrow base of the clumps in spring as “fiddleheads.” Photo by Tom Incrocci.

Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum var. distichum 

The bald cypress’ cones have a unique color, texture, and pattern. Photo by Matilda Adams.

Patterns in Nature: Fruit

While not all Missouri native fruits are sweet to eat, many produce pretty patterns if you take a closer look.

Sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua

Gumballs of the sweet gum have a unique spiky texture. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum 

Bright red fruit of Jack in the Pulpit at Shaw Nature Reserve. Photo by Bailie Fischer.

Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana

The eye-catching berries of a beauty berry are pretty in pattern in color. Photo by Claire Cohen.

Patterns in Nature: Bark

Dogwood, Cornus florida

Dogwoods are known for their pink and white spring blooms, but their gray, platy bark features intricate patterns. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Persimmon, Diospyros virginiana

Persimmons are a member of the ebony family that produce small edible fruits. Look closer at their bark to discover its unique patterns. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

River Birch, Betula nigra

The river birch’s pink to reddish brown bark peels away to reveal lighter inner bark. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Shagbark hickory, Carya ovata

This tree’s bark flares out off its trunk, earning it the common name “shagbark.” Photo by Matilda Adams.

Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis

The hackberry has distinctive warty bark. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis

This tree’s brown bark gives way in irregular pieces to reveal creamy white inner bark. Photo by Nathan Kwarta.

Catherine Martin
Senior Public Information Officer

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