at Big Sugar Creek State Park
In the Elk River Section of the Ozarks Natural Division, located in southwest Missouri, Big Sugar Creek State Park features an array of plants and animals that are less common or absent farther into Missouri. Living within these unique natural landscapes are more than 345 different kinds of plants and 134 kinds of birds. Some of the plants and animals found in the park are not found or as widely distributed in other areas of the state. Notable and rare plants found in the park include the Ozark Chinquapin tree, Ozark corn salad wildflower, mock orange (a rare shrub) and low prickly pear cactus. Some of the animals found in the park include armadillos, scarlet tanagers and graybelly salamanders. To view the complete list of animals and plants observed in Big Sugar Creek State Park, click on the link.