The Ledges State Park flora includes 437 species of vascular plants, several of which are unusual for central Iowa. The flora is surprisingly diverse considering its western location. The current distributions and occurrences of plants in the Ledges suggest the influence of historic plant migrations. The Ledges flora is composed of three elements, eastern mesophytic species, southern zerophytic species and northern boreal species. The dissected topography of the Ledges State Park has allowed boreal species, relics of northern forests, to persist in the protected canyon habitats
