The setting aside of a relatively unspoiled area known as Ferne Clyffe State Park presented an opportunity for floristics study in southern Illinois. Ferne Clyffe State Park has been investigated botanically on various occasions during the last five years, and intensively by a graduate Botany class from Southern Illinois University during the summer of 1963. Those students participating in the study were Carl Bollwinkel, Robert Dennis, John Dixon, Merrill Emling, Larry Gutzler, Trevetta Hartline, Ron Heflin, Ron Mick, Roberta Simpson, Johanna van Lente, and Donald Windler.