Flora-Quest Information

Shawnee Park and The Edge :

Flowers

P hotography

Butterflies

Birds

Flora-Quest is
sponsored in part by:

The Flora-Quest Story...

Established in 2007, Flora-Quest is a hand’s-on learning adventure focusing
on wild plants. Centered at the beautiful Shawnee State Park resort in the
middle of Ohio’s largest contiguous forest, the 65,000-acre Shawnee State
Forest, a mind-boggling array of plants is at our fingertips. Roughing it is
hardly necessary; facilities at the lodge are top-notch and good hotels are
within 25 minutes in the city of Portsmouth.

Just to the west of Shawnee is the sprawling Edge of Appalachia preserve.
Filled with unusual habitats and possessing one of the state’s highest
concentrations of rare plants, the Edge is a botanical paradise. Flora-Quest
trips are split between Shawnee and the Edge, and these packages offer
participants the greatest botanical adventure to be had in Ohio, at the best
time of year to explore this region. Upwards of 1,000 species of native
plants are found in this area – there are only about 1,900 natives in all of
Ohio.

In addition to learning about common plants, most of which we’ll see in
profusion, Flora-Quest participants will also have the opportunity to observe
a number of great rarities. Particularly noteworthy are the Appalachian plants
found no further north than Shawnee. Newcomers are often amazed to see
southerners like umbrella magnolia, pinxter-flower azaleas, and early
stoneroot in the forest.

We are fortunate to have some of Ohio’s most gifted botanists and
naturalists leading Flora-Quest expeditions. All of them know the area well,
and are very familiar with the plant life of the region. Their leadership is
invaluable, as first-timers (even second, third, and fourth!) are often
overwhelmed by the vastness of Shawnee and the Edge, and scarcely know
where to begin. Most of our guides are also well-versed in other facets of
natural history, such as birds, butterflies, geology, etc. which only adds to
the enjoyment of the trips.

May is a time of rebirth in the natural world, and there is no better place to
be than in the wildlands of Adams and Scioto counties to experience spring.
We hope to see you at future Flora-Quest!

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