Field Guide

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Bottomland forest
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FIELD GUIDE A-Z
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Learn about the habitat, diet, and life cycle of Missouri's animals, plants, and mushrooms.
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What to look for this month
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henbit plants with flowers
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Henbit, a nonnative wildflower, blooms in fields, gardens, and roadsides. The square stems and tubular, lipped flowers help identify it as a member of the mint family.

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Eastern bluebird perched on stump.
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Eastern bluebirds begin arriving at their breeding locations in our state in March and April. Listen for their blurry whistled songs: “Cheer cheerful charmer.”

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Dust lichen (genus Lepraria) covering a large patch of shady rock face at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
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When March begins, we look for the color green! Dust lichens (Lepraria spp.) are usually a pale, minty green or gray and have a powdery, granular, or fluffy-looking surface.

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Spring azure taking moisture from a chert rock surface in Clifty Creek
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The spring azure is among the first butterflies of the year. It flies from the middle of March into May. The early spring appearance helps you identify it.

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Field Guide Search