The Contribution by Rafinesque to the Early Botanical Exploration of Kentucky

ABSTRACT
A re-evaluation of Rafinesque’s work in Kentucky was undertaken in order to give courses on Local Flora (Field Botany) more of a historical background. It appears that many of the type localities of species described by Rafinesque still exist in unchanged state especially along the Kentucky River, however the barrens once rich in species of gentians have now virtually disappeared. Rafinesque also gave good attention to introduced weeds. His first list of Kentucky plants was very incomplete but still worthwhile to study.