COMMON NAME | FAMILY | SCIENTIFIC NAME | DESCRIPTION |
Yarrow | Asteraceae | Achillea millefolium | Feathery leaves, flat-topped flower heads. * |
Corn-cockle | Caryophyllaceae | Agrostemma githago | N/A |
Mimosa | Fabaceae | Albizia julibrissen | Leaf: Alternate,
bi-pinnately compound
and very feathery, 10-20
inches long. Each leaflet
is narrow and small,
approximately 3/8 inch
long.
Flower: Very showy, occurring in rounded pink fluffy heads. Individual flowers are small with long pink (1+ inch long) stamens. Usually appearing in mid- to late-summer. Fruit: A flattened pod, 5-6 inches long, gray-brown when mature, containing several hard seeds. Twig: Medium textured, zigzag, green-brown to gray-brown in color, with numerous lenticels. Buds are few scaled, small and rounded. Bark: Smooth and gray-brown, even on larger stems. Form: Small tree with a strongly decurrent habit and low branching, especially when open-grown. Quickly develops a flat top. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Pigweed | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus hybridus | Common in cultivated cropland as a pest. Large seedheads clog farm machinery. Can grow to 7 feet tall. * |
Thorny Amaranth | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus spinosus | Seen most commonly around livestock lots where (along with Jimson Weed, Datura stamonium) the animals won't eat it. Also in cultivated fields. Very thorny. * |
Common Ragweed | Asteraceae | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | Can also act as a winter annual in NC if it germinates in early fall. Very hardy plant. * |
Ragweed | Asteraceae | Ambrosia trifida | N/A |
Peppervine | Viticeae | Ampelopsis arborea | N/A |
Pussy-toes | Asteraceae | Antennaria plantaginifolia var. ambigens |
N/A |
N/A | Fabaceae | Apios americana | N/A |
Columbine | Ranunculaceae | Aquilegia canadensis | N/A |
Mouse-ear Cress | Brassicaceae | Arabidopsis thaliana | N/A |
Devil's Walking Club | Araliaceae | Aralia spinosa | Leaf: Alternate, bi or
tri-pinnately compound, up
to 5 feet long. The rachis
has scattered prickles.
Leaflets are 2 to 4 inches
long, serrate and
glaucous.
Flower: White and quite small, borne on 12 to 18 inch clusters at the ends of branches. Present July to August Fruit: A round, fleshy drupe, purple to black and 1/4 inch long. Borne in quantity on a pink-red infructesence. Maturing in late August or September. Twig: Very stout and spiny, gray to straw clolored, with leaf scars that encircle1/2 of the stem. Buds are relatively small, ovoid and oppressed with very few scales. Bark: Stout and spiny, much like the twig. Form: A large stem or small tree with club-shaped branches, often forms a thicket. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Araceae | Arisemaema triphyllum | N/A |
Giant Cane | Poaceae | Arundinaria gigantea | N/A |
Butterfly Weed | Asclepiadaceae | Asclepia tuberosa | Orange blossoms. Plant lives a long time. None of the milky sap that is indicative of many milkweeds (Family Asclepiadaceae). * |
N/A | Asclepiadaceae | Asclepias amplexicaulis | N/A |
N/A | Asclepiadaceae | Asclepias verticillata | N/A |
Dwarf Pawpaw | Annonaceae | Asimina parviflora | More common in CP than A. triloba. Shrub to 2 m tall with rusty twigs, buds, and leaf undersides. Fruit approximately 3 cm long, from May to August. * |
Starved Aster | Asteraceae | Aster lateriflorus | N/A |
Groundsel Tree | Asteraceae | Baccharus halimifolia | This genus contains the only shrubs or small trees of Asteraceae. Indicator of disturbed areas in CP/PM. Dioecious. * |
N/A | Scrophulariaceae | Bacopa monnieri | N/A |
Winter Cress | Brassicaceae | Barbarea vulgaris var. arcuata | N/A |
N/A | Rhamnaceae | Berchemia scadens | N/A |
False Nettle | Urticaceae | Boehmeria cylindrica | N/A |
Watershield | Cabamaceae | Brasenia schreberi | N/A |
Pale Indian-Plantain | Asteraceae | Cacalia atriplicifolia | N/A |
French Mulberry | Verbenaceae | Callicarpa americana | The French Mulberry is a large deciduous shrub growing 6'-8' tall with a compact form and outward pointing branches. Lilac flowers surround the stem in the springtime and give rise to berry-like drupes (fruits) in striking magenta in the fall. |
Trumpetvine | Bignoniaceae | Campsis radicans | N/A |
Shepherd's Purse | Brassicaceae | Capsella bursa-pastoris | N/A |
New Jersey Tea | Rhamnaceae | Ceanothus americanus | N/A |
N/A | Apiaceae | Centella asiatica | Perennial, moist sandy areas * |
Butterfly Pea | Fabaceae | Centrosema virginianum | N/A |
Buttonbush | Rubiaceae | Cephalanthus occidentalis | Leaf: Opposite or
whorled, elliptical, pointed
tip, entire margins, 3 to 5
inches long, shiny dark
green above.
Flower: Small, white, tubular flowers occur in a dense round (1 inch across) cluster at the end of a slender 1 to 2 inch stalk. Appearing June to July. Fruit: Round cluster of achenes, dark brown, mature August to November. Twig: Slender to moderately stout, dark reddish-brown, speckled with lighter, elongated lenticels. Tips of twigs typically die back, lateral buds small and embedded in bark, leaf scar "D"-shaped or nearly round with a single "U"-shaped bundle scar. Bark: Thin and smooth on young stems, becoming fissured and scaly. Form: Upright, multiple branching shrub, may reach 25 feet in height. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Mouse-ear Chickweed | Caryophyllaceae | Cerastium glomeratum | N/A |
Wild Chervil | Apiaceae | Chaerophyllum tainturieri | N/A |
Turtleheads | Scrophulariaceae | Chelone glabra | N/A |
Lamb's Quarters | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium album | N/A |
Spotted Wintergreen | Ericaceae | Chimaphila maculata | N/A |
Fringetree | Oleaceae | Chionanthus virginicus | A shrub-like tree with a short trunk and a rounded crown. Opposite, deciduous, elliptical dark green glossy leaves. White, fragrant, somewhat showy blooms appear with the foliage in the spring. Bearing dark blue, oval drupes about 1" long. |
Ox-eye Daisy | Asteraceae | Chrysanthemum leucanthemum | N/A |
Chicory | Asteraceae | Cichorium intybus | N/A |
Water Hemlock | Apiaceae | Cicuta maculata | Perennial, to 9 ft tall. Usually on edges of waterways or low swamps. Looks like a huge celery plant, with large umbels. Not rare in CP. Stalks typically have black oblong spots. * |
Sweet-pepperbush | Clethraceae | Clethra alnifolia | N/A |
Butterfly Pea | Fabaceae | Clitoria mariana | |
Dayflower | Commelinaceae | Commelina communis | N/A |
Dayflower | Commelinaceae | Commelina erecta | N/A |
N/A | Asteraceae | Coreopsis lanceolata | N/A |
Hawthorn | Rosaceae | Crataegus marshallii | N/A |
N/A | Euphorbiaceae | Croton glandulosus var. septentrionalis | N/A |
Compact Dodder | Convolvulaceae | Cuscuta compacta | N/A |
N/A | Cyrillaceae | Cyrilla racemosa | N/A |
Jimson Weed | Solanaceae | Datura stramonium | N/A |
Wild Carrot | Apiaceae | Daucus carota | N/A |
N/A | Apiaceae | Daucus pusillus | N/A |
Water Loosestrife | Lythraceae | Decodon verticillatus | N/A |
N/A | Fabaceae | Desmodium glabellum | N/A |
N/A | Convolvulaceae | Dichondra carolinensis | N/A |
Venus Flytrap | Dionaeaceae | Dionaea muscipula | N/A |
Wild Yam | Dioscoreaceae | Dioscorea villosa | N/A |
Sundew | Droseraceae | Drosera capillaris | N/A |
Indian Strawberry | Rosaceae | Duchesnea indica | N/A |
Beechdrops | Orobanchaceae | Epifagus virginiana | N/A |
Trailing Arbutus | Ericaceae | Epigaea repens | N/A |
Daisy Fleabane | Asteraceae | Erigeron annuus | Blooms May/June * |
Heronsbill | Gernaiaceae | Erodium circutarium | N/A |
N/A | Apiaceae | Eryngium integrifolium | More upright than E. prostratum; blue petals * |
N/A | Apiaceae | Eryngium prostratum | N/A |
Button Snakeroot | Apiaceae | Eryngium yuccifolium | Coarse perennial * |
Strawberry Bush | Celastraceae | Euonymus americanus | Leaf: Opposite, simple,
narrow and fine toothed, 2
to 4 inches long, bright
green.
Flower: Small (1/3 inch across), greenish-purple petals, in clusters, appearing May to June. Fruit: Very unique, 4-lobed capsules which when opened reveal an orange-red warty aril, the "husks" are pink to purple, open September to October. Twig: Slender, square and green, terminal buds reddish-orange, 1/4 inch long, pointed. Bark: Green, but does split and become darker. Form: A loose, sprawling shrub usually between 2 and 5 feet tall. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Dog Fennel | Asteraceae | Eupatorium capillifolium | Can grow to 2 meters tall. Crushed leaves thought by some to smell similar to dog urine. * |
Mistflower | Asteraceae | Eupatorium coelestinum | N/A |
Queen of the Meadow | Asteraceae | Eupatorium fistulosum | N/A |
Boneset | Asteraceae | Eupatorium perfoliatum | Late summer bloomer. Head-on view of white flowers looks like porous bone. * |
N/A | Asteraceae | Eupatorium rotundifolium | N/A |
Round-leaf Thoroughwort | Asteraceae | Eupatorium rotundifolium | N/A |
Flowering Spurge | Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia corollata | N/A |
Strawberry | Rosaceae | Fragaria virginiana |
N/A |
Galax | Diapensiaceae | Galax aphylla | N/A |
Bedstraw | Rubiaceae | Galium triflorum | N/A |
Wintergreen | Ericaceae | Gaultheria procumbens | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
evergreen, minutely
serrated, dark shiny green
above, paler below,
thickened, with a
wintergreen odor when
crushed, leaves appear
whorled since they cluster
at tips of plant.
Flower: Originate from leaf axils, white, 1/4 inch in diameter, hanging beneath the leaves, mild wintergreen taste, persist throughout the winter, ripen in August to September. Twig: Slender, green turning brown with age. Form: Low plant with a height of only 3 to 5 inches; stems shoot out of the ground and end in a tight cluster of leaves. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Yellow Jessamine | Logoniaceae | Gelsemium sempervirens | This evergreen vine is as beautiful as it is easy to grow. Glossy rich green leaves are about 2-4" long by 1/2" wide and grow in opposite pairs along wirey stems. The vine will grow 10-20' up tree trunks and along fences or other support. |
Cranesbill Geranium | Geraniaceae | Geranium carolinianum | N/A |
Wild Geranium | Geraniaceae | Geranium maculatum | N/A |
N/A | Lamiaceae | Glecoma hederacea | N/A |
Yellow Fringed-orchid | Orchidaceae | Habenaria ciliaris | N/A |
Witch-hazel | Hamamelidaceae | Hamamelis virginica | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
inequilateral, 3 to 6 inches
long, ovate to obovate
with a wavy margin, nearly
dentate. Petioles are
pubescent.
Flower: Yellow, with 1/2 to 3/4 inch long petals that look like yarn. Appearing in September to November. Fruit: Two shiny black seeds, 1/4 inch long, forcibly discharged from 1/2 inch long woody, brown capsules. Empty capsules persistant. Maturing in August, dispersing in autumn. Twig: Slender, brown, pubescent, with long (1/2 inch), brown buds that lack scales, resembling a deer foot. Flower buds are globose, borne on short stalks. Bark: Smooth, gray to gray-brown even on very old stems. Form: A small tree or shrub with arching branches, usually growing in dense multi-stemmed clumps. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Bitter Sneeze Weed | Asteraceae | Helenium amarum | Common pasture pest. Yellow flowers. * |
Sunflower | Asteraceae | Helianthus divaricatus | N/A |
Daylily | Liliaceae | Hemerocallis fulva | N/A |
Liverleaf | Ranunculaceae | Hepatica americana | N/A |
Camphor Weed | Asteraceae | Heterotheca subaxillaris | Found on roadsides and cultivated fields. Tomentose stems and leaves, 0.5 inch yellow flowers. Crushed leaves and stems smell like camphor. * |
Wild Ginger | Aristolochiaceae | Hexastylis arifolia | Evergreen wild ginger, as opposed to the deciduous wild ginger (Asarum canadense). Heart-shaped leaf. * |
Rose Mallow | Malvaceae | Hibiscus moscheutos | N/A |
Bluet | Rubiaceae | Houstonia caerulea | N/A |
Marsh Pennywort | Apiaceae | Hydrocotyle umbellata | N/A |
N/A | Apiaceae | Hydrocotyle verticillata | N/A |
N/A | Hypericaceae | Hypericum perforatum | N/A |
Yellow Star-grass | Amaryllidacea | Hypoxis hirsuta | Yellow flowers * |
Sweet Gallberry | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex coriacea | Found in pocosins/bays. Less common than Ilex glabra. Similar to I. glabra, but leaves, plant and fruit are larger than I. Glabr * |
Deciduous Holly | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex decidua | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
deciduous, margin finely,
blunt toothed, lance to
egg-shaped, glabrous and
green above, paler below,
2 to 3 inches long.
Flower: Dioecious, both male and females are stalked and greenish-white, usually in clusters, appear in April to May Fruit: Round drupes, 1/4 inch in diameter, reddish-orange to red in clusters of 2 to 4, ripening in fall but persisting through the winter. Twig: Slender, gray, with scattered light lenticels, buds and leaf scars are small, one vascular bundle scar, spur shoots common. Bark: Thin, smooth and grayish-brown. Form: Upright shrub with multiple stems, reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Inkberry | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex glabra | Also known as bitter gallberry because berries are bitter. Common in and around Carolina bays/pocosins. Evergreen leaves * |
Winterberry | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex verticillata | Deciduous. More common in CP than I. decidua. Brilliant red berries all winter. * |
Yaupon | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex vomitoria | Leaves evergreen and more elongated than I. decidua or I. verticillata. * |
Spotted Touch-me-not | Balsaminaceae | Impatiens capensis |
N/A |
Common Morning Glory | Convolvulaceae | Ipomoea purpurea | N/A |
Dwarf Iris | Iridaceae | Iris cristata | N/A |
Blue Flag Iris | Iridaceae | Iris virginica | N/A |
Mountain Laurel | Ericaceae | Kalmia latifolia | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
evergreen, shiny/waxy
above, light green below,
2 to 5 inches long,
elliptical in shape,
mid-vein raised on upper
surfaces.
Flower: Very showy clusters, white to rose colored with purple markings, 1 inch across, with the petals forming a distinct firm bowl about the pistil and stamens. Present March to July. Fruit: A round, brown dehiscent capsule, 1/4 inch long, splitting into 5 valves when dry; releasing very small seeds. Maturing in September and October. Twig: Generally forked and twisted, green when young, later brownish-red. Bark: Thin, dark brown to red in color, shredding. Form: A small tree or shrub with many twisted stems. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Lamb-kill | Ericaceae | Kalmia latifolia var caroliniana |
N/A |
Dwarf dandelion | Asteraceae | Krigia virginica | N/A |
False Boneset | Asteraceae | Kuhnia eupatorioides | N/A |
Henbit | Lamiaceae | Lamium amplexicaule | N/A |
Wood-nettle | Urticaceae | Laportea canadensis | N/A |
Poor-Man's Pepper | Brassicaceae | Lepidium virginicum | N/A |
N/A | Fabaceae | Lespedeza capitata |
N/A |
Korean Lespedeza | Fabaceae | Lespedeza striata | N/A |
Privet | Oleaceae | Ligustrum sinense | Leaf: Opposite, simple,
entire, oblong, shiny dark
green above, lighter
below, somewhat
thickened, 1 to 2 inches in
length.
Flower: Upright panicle of white flowers, often very dense, very fragrant, appearing in June at ends of twigs. Fruit: Shiny, bluish-black berry, 1/4 inch in diameter, ripens in September. Twig: Slender, grayish-green, glabrous or finely pubescent, small opposite buds. Bark: Smooth, grayish-brown. Form: Upright shrub, many stems, can be somewhat twiggy, reaches heights of 15 feet. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Toad Flax | Scrophulariaceae | Linaria canadensis | N/A |
Spicebush | Lauraceae | Lindera benzoin | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
pinnately veined, elliptical
in shape, 3 to 5 inches
long, with an entire margin
that may be somewhat
ciliate. There is a strong,
spicy odor when crushed.
Flower: Yellow-green,
appearing in axillary
clusters before the leaves
(March to May).
Fruit: A red drupe when ripe (green before ripening), 3/8 inch long with a large seed and a peppery taste and scent. Maturing in September or October. Twig: Olive-green to brown in color with distinctive globose buds covered with 2 to 3 yellow-green scales. When cut, a spicy, peppery smell is obvious. Bark: Brown to gray brown and speckled with white lenticels. Form: A large shrub with several stems, usually rounded in outline. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Cardinal Flower | Campanulaceae | Lobelia cardinalis | N/A |
Indian Tobacco | Campanulaceae | Lobelia inflata | N/A |
N/A | Campanulaceae | Lobelia puberula | N/A |
Japanese Honeysuckle | Caprifoliaceae | Lonicera japonica | Leaf: Opposite, simple,
ovate to oval, entire
margin, sometimes lobed,
semi-evergreen, light
green, somewhat
pubescent.
Flower: Fragrant, 1/2 to 1 inch long, white or yellowish-white long petals, appearing in late May to early June in pairs. Fruit: Small (1/4 inch diameter), black berry, ripen in fall and persist into early winter. Twig: Slender, initially pubescent, light brown in color developing scaly thin bark, hollow pith. Bark: Long, shreddy peeling strips, light red-brown to straw-colored. Form: A scrambling, twisting vine with no tendrils or aerial roots, forms dense thickets in bushes and trees and sprawls along the ground. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Coral Honeysuckle | Caprifoliaceae | Lonicera sempervirens | N/A |
Lupine | Fabaceae | Lupinus perennis | N/A |
Fringed Loosestrife | Primulaceae | Lysimachia ciliata | N/A |
Whorled Loosestrife | Primulaceae | Lysimachia quadrifolia | N/A |
Indian Cucumber Root | Liliaceae | Medeola virginiana | N/A |
White Sweet Clover | Fabaceae | Melilotus alba | N/A |
Yellow Sweet Clover | Fabaceae | Melilotus officinalis | N/A |
Climbing hempvine | Asteraceae | Mikania scandens | Perennial, becomes more visible in fall with its blanketing effect on bushes. Fine gray flowers. * |
N/A | Scrophulariaceae | Mimulus ringens | N/A |
Partridge Berry | Rubiaceae | Mitchella repens | N/A |
Indian Chickweed | Aizoaceae | Mollugo vertcillata |
Summer annual. Whorled leaves spread from central stem. Prostrate. Also known as carpetweed. * |
N/A | Lamiaceae | Monarda punctata | N/A |
Pine-Sap | Ericaceae | Monotropa hypopithys | N/A |
Indian Pipe | Ericaceae | Monotropa uniflora | N/A |
Wax Myrtle | Myricaceae | Myrica cerifera | Leaf: Evergreen,
alternate and simple,
fragrant smell, spatulate in
shape with a tapered
base, 3 inches long, 5/8
inch wide, toothed, dark
green and waxy-shiny
above, pale green below,
yellow resin dots on both
surfaces.
Flower: Dioecious, both male and female flowers are small (1/2 inch), appearing as catkins in the leaf axils in spring. Fruit: Round, waxy, bluish-white berries (1/8 inch in diameter), appearing in clusters on short stalks. Twig: Slender and brittle, covered with brown pubescence, becoming smooth and gray-brown with age. Bark: Thin and smooth, gray-brown. Form: Small tree or large shrub, often multi-stemmed and growing in clusters, generally rounded or irregular in shape, with a crooked or twisting bole. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Bradford Pear | Rosaceae | N/A | N/A |
Carlona Laurel Cherry | Rosaceae | N/A | N/A |
Wild Plum | Rosaceae | N/A | N/A |
Beauty Berry | Verbenaceae | N/A | |
Yellow Nelumbo | Nelumbonaceae | Nelumbo lutea | N/A |
Waterlily | Nymphaceae | Nymphea odorata | N/A |
Evening Primrose | Onagraceae | Oenothera biennis | N/A |
Sundrops | Onagraceae | Oenothera fruticosa | N/A |
N/A | Onagraceae | Oenothera laciniata | N/A |
N/A | Onagraceae | Oenothera speciosa | N/A |
Prickly-pear Cactus | Cactaceae | Opuntia compressa | N/A |
N/A | Oxalidaceae | Oxalis rubra | N/A |
N/A | Oxalidaceae | Oxalis stricta | N/A |
Violet Wood Sorrel | Oxalidaceae | Oxalis violacea | N/A |
Virginia Creeper | Viticeae | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Leaf: Alternate, palmately
compound, 3 to 8 inches
across, with five leaflets
per leaf. Leaflets are
elliptical in shape, with
crenate to serrate
margins.
Flower: Small, green and borne in clusters on long stems. Flowers appear June to July. Fruit: A blue-black berry, 1/4 inch in diameter, borne in long-stemmed clusters. Maturing August to October. Twig: New stems are slender, light brown in color, with lenticels. Tendrils are apparent opposite the buds, ending in adhesive pads. Leaf scars are nearly round and concave. Bark: Gray-brown, becoming coarsely hairy due to tendrils. Form: A climbing vine that may provide ground cover or ascend to fifty feet. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Maypops | Passifloraceae | Passiflora incarnata | N/A |
Passion Flower | Passifloraceae | Passiflora lutea | N/A |
Lousewort | Scrophulariaceae | Pedicularis canadensis | N/A |
Arrow Arum | Araceae | Peltandra virginica |
N/A |
Ditch Stonecrop | Crassulaceae | Penthorium sedoides | N/A |
Pokeweed | Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca americana | N/A |
Plantain | Plantaginaceae | Plantago aristata | N/A |
English Plantain | Plantaginaceae | Plantago lanceolata | N/A |
Plantain | Plantaginaceae | Plantago virginica | N/A |
May-apple | Berberidaceae | Podophyllum peltatum | N/A |
N/A | Polygalaceae | Polygala cruciata | N/A |
N/A | Polygalaceae | Polygala incarnata | N/A |
Knotweed | Polygonaceae | Polygonum pensylvanicum | N/A |
N/A | Polygonaceae | Polygonum punctatum | N/A |
Pickerelweed | Pontederiaceae | Pontederia cordata |
N/A |
Five Fingers | Rosaceae | Potentilla canadensis | N/A |
N/A | Rosaceae | Potentilla recta | N/A |
N/A | Lamiaceae | Prunella vulgaris | N/A |
N/A | Apiaceae | Ptilimnium capillaceum | Flowers and leaves look like dill. * |
Buttercup | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculus abortivus | N/A |
N/A | Melastomataceae | Rhexia mariana | N/A |
Mountain Rosebay | Ericaceae | Rhododendron catawbiense | N/A |
Pink Azalea | Ericaceae | Rhododendron nudiflorum | Leaf: Alternate, simple,
pinnately veined,
deciduous, 1 to 3 inches
long, ovate, dull green
above and green below
with a ciliate margin. The
texture is papery.
Flower: Very showy, pink, appearing with or just before the leaves. Flowering March to May. Fruit: An oblong capsule, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, with ascending hairs. The capsule splits when ripe, releasing the very tiny, somewhat winged seeds. Maturing in late summer. Twig: Very slender, red-brown to gray, bristly-hairy. The buds are multiple terminal, flower buds are 1/2 inch long. Buds are hairless. Bark: Brown, becoming finely shreddy. Form: A shrub that branches low, often with a crooked stem. The multiple terminal buds often result in whorls of twigs from the central stem. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Poison Ivy | Anacardiaceae | Rhus radicans | Leaf: Alternate, pinnately
compound with 3 leaflets
per leaf. Leaves are 7 to
10 inches long. Leaflets
are ovate and irregularly
toothed. Leaves are shiny
above.
Flower: Small, yellowish, appearing in clusters. Present May to June Fruit: Greenish-white, round, 1/4 inch in diameter, borne in clusters. Present late summer. Form: May be present as a low, spreading "carpet" on the forest floor, as a climbing vine or bush. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Swamp Rose | Rosaceae | Rosa palustris | N/A |
Alleghany Blackberry | Rosaceae | Rubus allegheniensis | Leaf: Alternate, palmately
compound, 3 to 7, but
mostly 5 leaflets, serrated
margins, prickles on
petiole.
Flower: Showy white flowers (one inch across), larger and persisting longer than black raspberry. Fruit: Juicy, black multiple of drupes. When picked, the fruit does not separate from its core. Ripens in July to August. Twig: Stout, strongly angled canes with large hooked prickles, dull reddish-brown, lacking glaucous bloom. Cane tips do not root. Form: Sprawling, arching canes form dense thickets often well over head high. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Black Raspberry | Rosaceae | Rubus occidentalis |
Leaf: Alternate, palmately
compound, 3 to 5 leaflets
with serrated margins,
small prickles on petiole,
light green above, paler
below.
Flower: Greenish, small white petals, appearing in May, not showy. Fruit: Juicy, black, multiple of drupes. When picked they separate from the fleshy core forming a hollow shell. Ripen in June to July. Twig: Arching "canes" which generally live 2 years. Purplish-red with an abundance of white glaucous bloom and hooked prickles. Canes readily root at the tips when they contact the ground. Form: Arching canes may reach 4 to 6 feet high, often forming tangles. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Black-eyed Susan | Asteraceae | Rudbeckia hirta | N/A |
Coneflower | Asteraceae | Rudbeckia laciniata | N/A |
N/A | Polygonaceae | Rumex crispus | N/A |
N/A | Polygonaceae | Rumex hastatulus | N/A |
Sage | Lamiaceae | Salvia lyrata | N/A |
Elderberry | Caprifoliaceae | Sambucus canadensis | Leaf: Opposite, pinnately
compound, with 5 to 11
elliptical, serrate leaflets.
Leaves are 4 to 11 inches
long. The bottom leaflets
are often 3-lobed.
Flower: Small, white, borne in dense, flat-topped clusters, up to 8 inches across. Appearing June to July Fruit: Small, berrylike drupe, purple-black, and very juicy, up to 1/4 inch in diameter, borne in flat-topped clusters. Maturing in July to September. Twig: Stout, yellow-gray with obvious, warty lenticles. The pith is white, large and continuous. Buds are very small, red-brown and pointed. The terminal buds are mostly lacking. Bark: Smooth and brown becoming furrowed and rough with age. Form: A large shrub or small tree often with multiple stems that are spreading or arching. The trunk is usually short. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Bloodroot | Papaveraceae | Sanguinaria canadensis | N/A |
Snakeroot | Apiaceae | Sanicula canadensis | |
Soapwort | Caryophyllaceae | Saponaria officinalis | N/A |
Pitcher Plant | Sarraceniaceae | Sarracenia purpurea | N/A |
Lizard's Tail | Saururaceae | Saururus cernuus | N/A |
Sensitive Brier | Fabaceae | Schrankia microphylla | N/A |
False Solomon's-seal | Liliaceae | Smilacina racemosa | N/A |
Greenbrier | Liliaceae | Smilax rotundifolia | N/A |
Nightshade | Solanaceae | Solanum carolinense | N/A |
Golden Rod | Asteraceae | Solidago nemoralis | N/A |
Spiny-leaved Sow-Thistle | Asteraceae | Sonchus asper | N/A |
Hardhack | Rosaceae | Spiraea tormentosa | N/A |
Grass-leaved Ladies-tresses | Orchidaceae | Spiranthes praecox | N/A |
Bladdernut | Staphylaceae | Staphylea trifolia | Leaf: Opposite, pinnately
compound with three
(rarely 5) ovate or obovate
leaflets that are 2 to 4
inches long. Leaflet
margins are serrate.
Flower: Green-white, bell-shaped and small, borne on dangling 2 inch long panicles in April or May. Fruit: A very unique, 1 1/2 inch, 3-lobed, papery capsule that looks inflated. The inflated bag contains several hard, small brown seeds. Maturing in September. Twig: Slender, green to brown in color, with a large, white pith. Buds are brown, 4-scaled, ovoid and may be stalked. Bark: Green-gray in color with white furrows. Form: A large shrub or small tree that is heavily branched and suckers readily, forming a thicket. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved. |
Chickweed | Caryophyllaceae | Stellaria media | N/A |
Pencil Flower | Fabaceae | Stylosanthes biflora | N/A |
Indian Current | Caprifoliaceae | Symphoricarpos orbitulatus | N/A |
Sweetleaf | Symplocaceae | Symplocos tintoria |
N/A |
Common Dandelion | Asteraceae | Taraxacum officinale | Lawn weed. * |
Goat's Rue | Fabaceae | Tephrosia virginiana | N/A |
N/A | Lamiaceae | Teucrium canadense | N/A |
Meadow Parsnip | Apiaceae | Thaspium trifoliatum | N/A |
Spanish Moss | Bromeliaceae | Tillandsia usneoides | N/A |
Blue Curls | Lamiaceae | Trichostema dichotomum | N/A |
Red Clover | Fabaceae | Trifolium pratense | N/A |
White Clover | Fabaceae | Trifolium repens | N/A |
Bladderwort | Lentibulariaceae | Utricularia subulata | N/A |
Sparkleberry | Ericaceae | Vaccinium arboreum | N/A |
Corn Salad | Valerianaceae | Valerianella radiata | N/A |
N/A | Scrophulariaceae | Verbascum blattaria | N/A |
Woolly Mullein | Scrophulariaceae | Verbascum thapsus | N/A |
N/A | Scrophulariaceae | Veronica hederaefolia | N/A |
N/A | Scrophulariaceae | Veronica peregrina | N/A |
Mapleleaf Viburnum | Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum acerifolium | Leaf: Opposite, simple,
palmately veined,
suborbicular in shape,
3-lobed, 3 to 4 inches
long, coarsely dentate,
pubescent below and on
the petiole.
Flower: White, appearing in panicles 1 1/2 to 3 inches across. Flowering early summer. Fruit: Drupes, 1/4 inch in diameter, rounded, red turning purple to black when ripe. Borne in a cluster. Maturing in September. Twig: Slender, velvety-gray with stalked buds. Buds have 4 scales. Bark: Smooth, grayish brown. Form: An upright shrub that often grows in dense clumps. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Arrowood | Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum dentatum | N/A |
Possomhaw | Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum nudum | N/A |
Blackhaw
|
Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum prunifolium | Leaf: Opposite, simple,
pinnately veined, elliptical
in shape, very finely
serrate, 1 to 3 inches long
with a reddish petiole.
Flower: White, appearing in panicles, 2 to 4 inches wide. Flowering April to May. Fruit: Drupes, 1/4 inch long, elliptical, blue-black with a whitish bloom. Maturing September to October. Twig: Coarse in appearance and rigid, with dark bark, buds are valvate, red-brown or purple, pubescent and pointed. Flower buds are larger and appear swollen. Bark: Dark brown to black, broken in square plates--like alligator hide. Form: A large shrub or small tree with a twisted trunk and arching branches. Branches and spur shoots are obviously opposite and right-angled, looks like a fish skeleton. © Copyright 1997, Virginia Tech, all rights reserved |
Bluehaw | Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum rufidulum | N/A |
Vetch | Fabaceae | Vicia angustifolia | N/A |
Smooth Vetch | Fabaceae | Vicia dasycarpa | N/A |
Hairy Vetch | Fabaceae | Vicia villosa | N/A |
N/A | Violaceae | Viola arvensis | N/A |
N/A | Violaceae | Viola palmata var. triloba | N/A |
Birdfoot Violet | Violaceae | Viola pedata | N/A |
Muscadine | Viticeae | Vitis rotundifolia | N/A |
Cocklebur | Asteraceae | Xanthium strumarium | Each 3/4 inch long bur has 2 seeds. Hairy stems and leaves. Black-spotted stem may be 2 meters tall. * |
Meadow Parsnip | Apiaceae | Zizia aptera | N/A |
Golden Alexander | Apiaceae | Zizia aurea | N/A |
Database Designed by Ashton Horne and Naomi Patterson
* Comments by Dr. A. J. Bullard, Botanist