In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, an art exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., will showcase some of the plant species and communities found throughout the more than 400 national parks.

From giant redwoods and aspen forests to endangered Virginia spiraea and water lilies, the national parks contain a diverse representation of the North American flora. Illustrations, paintings, and photography will take you on a tour of the beauty and importance of the American flora. 

More than 75 illustrations, paintings, photographs, and other art forms ranging in size from intimate 12-inch pieces to large-scale, 6-foot dramatic panoramas in the exhibit will showcase key flora from national parks across the country. Rare and familiar plants from Florida to Alaska and from Maine to Hawaii will represent National Park Service locations such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Everglades National Park, and Acadia National Park.

A sampling of artwork includes iconic flora such as giant sequoia, bald cypress, saguaro cactus, mangroves, ghost orchids, and magnolias. Large floor graphics of the ground from different national parks will let visitors look down and “stand in” those parks as they move throughout the gallery. Live plants will accompany the art throughout the show.

On Thursday, Feb. 18, the U.S. Botanic Garden will host representatives from the National Park Service on the first day of this collaborative exhibit as part of the year-long NPS centennial. Botanists and other scientists, park rangers, and officials from both agencies will be available to answer questions about the important functions plants play in the national parks and their key role in park visitors’ experiences. A full list of the plants, their national parks, and the artists will be provided.

The exhibit is scheduled to continue at the U.S. Botanic Garden through Oct. 2, 2016