Becca's Plantverse

a log of plants

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Chamaecyparis obtusa, Hinoki Cypress

Community: N/A

Native Region: Japan and Taiwan, introduced to North America

Mature Size: height: 50-75′, spread: 15-25′

Habitat: cool, moist climates, full sun, moderate to high humidity, protected from wind

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Leaves: dark green, scale-like

Flowers: non-flowering

Fruit: greenish brown female cones, orange brown male cones

Seed Dispersal: wind

Collect Seeds: fall

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/detail.php?pid=106

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c204

https://sheffields.com/seeds/Chamaecyparis/obtusa

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Kalopanax septemlobus, Castor-Aralia

Community: N/A

Native Region: East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Russia), introduced to some of Northeastern United States

Mature Size: height: 40-60′, spread: 40-60′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forest edges, full sun, avoid dry soils and excessive heat and humidity

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Leaves: glossy, dark green, turns dull yellow to red in the fall

Flowers: white

Fruit: tiny, black

Foliage: humans

Fruit: birds, mammals

Shoots: humans

The young leaves and young shoots can be cooked and eaten by humans.

Seed Dispersal: birds

Collect Seeds: fall

http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/2014-72-2-the-castor-aralia-kalopanax-septemlobus.pdf

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/kalopanax/septemlobus/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=KASE

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b951

http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Kalopanax+septemlobus

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Sphagnum spp., Sphagnum Moss

Community: Red Maple Swamp

Native Region: virtually all of North America

Mature Size: height: not more than 0.3″, spread:

Habitat: wet, boggy areas, marshlands

Hardiness Zone:

Leaves: light green, but may be yellow, pink, deep red, or brown

Flowers: no flowers

Fruit: spore capsule

Seed Dispersal: wind (spores disperse in the wind)

Collect Seeds: early fall 

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Survival/Pages/sphagnummoss.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphagnum

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Solidago sempervirens, Seaside Goldenrod

Community: New England Barrier Beach

Native Region: Eastern North America, southwest through Texas

Mature Size: height: 2-9′, spread: 1.25′

Habitat: Coastal beaches, dunes, marshes, sandy soils

Hardiness Zone: 3-11

Leaves: narrow, evergreen, basal, dark green

Flowers: deep yellow

Fruit: brown

Flowers: butterflies, bees

Seeds: birds

Seed Dispersal: wind

Collect Seeds: early fall

http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/Seaside_goldenrod.pdf

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/solidago/sempervirens/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SOSE

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sose

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Quercus ilicifolia, Scrub Oak

Community: New England Barrier Beach

Native Region: Atlantic coast down to South Carolina, eastern Canada

Mature Size: height:  spread:

Habitat: Shrublands or thickets, woodlands, dry mountain, upland, barren, and slope sites, rocky ridges, disturbed areas

Hardiness Zone: 

Leaves: shiny dark green above, pale green to gray below

Flowers:

Fruit: acorn with reddish-brown cup and light brown nut

Acorns: black bears, white-tailed deer, eastern chipmunks, eastern gray squirrels, red squirrels, southern flying squirrels, northern flying squirrels, woodpeckers, jays, white-breasted nuthatches, brown thrashers, wild turkey, humans

Stems: white-tailed deer

Acorns are edible for humans after the tannins have been leached out. They can also be ground into meal or flour to be used in bread.

Seed Dispersal: small mammals, birds

Collect Seeds: fall

http://ouroneacrefarm.com/10-shrubs-wildlife-friendly-edible-landscape/

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/quercus/ilicifolia/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUIL

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUIL

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/queili/all.html

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Cladrastis kentukea, Yellowwood

Community: N/A

Native Region: Eastern United States and Midwest, introduced to eatsern Canada

Mature Size: height: 30-50′, spread: 40-55′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forest edges, full sun, best when protected from wind

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Leaves: begin yellowish green, turn bright green in summer, and yellow or orange in fall

Flowers: white

Fruit: brown, flat seed pods

Yellowwood fruit is not particularly palatable to humans or wildlife.

Seed Dispersal: wind

Collect Seeds: spring

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st170

http://www.uky.edu/hort/propagation-yellowwood

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/cladrastis/kentukea/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CLKE

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a270

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLKE

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Cornus mas ‘Flava’, Yellowfruit Cornelian-Cherry

Community: N/A

Native Region: Europe and Western Asia, introduced to North America

Mature Size: height: 15-25′, spread: 12-18′

Habitat: moist, well-drained soil, sun to part shade, intolerant of drought

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8

Leaves: green, turns to red in the fall

Flowers: yellow

Fruit: yellow

Flowers: bees

Fruit: birds, humans

Seeds: humans

The fruit of Cornelian Cherry can be eaten raw, dried, or as jelly. The seeds can be roasted, ground and used as a coffee substitute, and a small amount of edible oil can be extracted from them as well.

Seed dispersal: birds

Collect Seeds: fall

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st196

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c290

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=cornus+mas

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Hudsonia tomentosa, Woolly Beachheather

Community: New England Barrier Beach

Native Region: Northeastern North America

Mature Size: height: 0.25-0.75′, spread: 1.5′

Habitat: Dunes, grassland, river and lake shores, dry pinelands, sands

Hardiness Zone: 2 to 8

Leaves: scale-like foliage, coated with soft, white, woolly cast that gives them a grayish-green appearance

Flowers: tiny, bright yellow

Fruit: brown

Seed Dispersal: N/A

Collect Seeds: N/A

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_huto.pdf

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HUTO

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/hudsonia/tomentosa/

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HUTO

Ellis, Barbara W. Covering Ground Unexpected Ideas for Landscaping with Colorful, Low-Maintenance Ground Covers. Storey, 2007. 111.

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Ilex verticillata, Common Winterberry

Community: Red Maple Swamp

Native Region: Eastern North America, west and south to Texas

Mature Size: height: 3-12′, spread: 3-12′

Habitat: River and lake shores, swamps, wetland margins 

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Leaves: dark green, may turn maroon in the fall

Flowers: greenish-white

Fruit: scarlet red to orange berries

Foliage: humans, moose, whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare

Fruit: small mammals, birds, squirrels, foxes

Stems: moose, whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare

A caffeine-free tea can be made from the dried and crumpled leaves of Winterberry

Seed Dispersal: birds, mammals

Collect Seeds: fall

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_ilve.pdf

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/ilex/verticillata/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ILVE

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d440

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILVE

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ilex+verticillata

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/can-eat-ilex-verticillata-35941.html

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Salix x sepulcralis (S. alba var. vitellina ‘Pendula’ x S. babylonica), 

Hybrid Weeping Willow

Community: N/A

Native Region: Europe and Western Asia

Mature Size: height: 20-50′, spread: greater than 20′

Habitat: cold and temperate regions, damp, heavy soil, full sun, riverbeds, lakesides, riparian areas

Hardiness Zone:

Leaves: light green above, and glaucous green below, yellow branchlets

Flowers: tiny, yellowish catkins

Fruit: seed capsules, color varies

Seed Dispersal: wind, water 

Collect Seeds: spring

http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/weeds_trees_weeping_willow

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salix_sepulcralis_group

http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/MediAmbient/menuitem.0d4d06202ea41e13e9c5e9c5a2ef8a0c/indexbdde.html?vgnextoid=64af5ae4bbcec310VgnVCM1000001947900aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3cc37037aed1a210VgnVCM10000074fea8c0RCRD&vgnextfmt=formatDetall&lang=en_GB

http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/golden-weeping-willow

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper

Community: Spontaneous Urban Growth

Native Region: Eastern and Central North America to Mexico

Mature Size: height: 30-50′, spread: 5-10′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forests, river and lake shores, talus and rocky slopes

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Leaves: purplish in spring, then mature to dull green in summer, and turn to purple and crimson red in the fall, climbs via tendrils

Flowers: greenish white 

Fruit: blue-black berries

Bark: humans

Foliage: cattle, deer

Fruit: humans, songbirds, squirrels, deer, other small animals

Roots: humans

Stalks: humans

People can eat Virginia Creeper berries raw. The stalk can be cut, peeled, and boiled, the sweet substance between the bark and the wood can be eaten, and the root can be eaten cooked.

Seed Dispersal: birds, mammals

Collect Seeds: fall

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/parthenocissus/quinquefolia/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PAQU2

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l490

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=paqu2

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/vine/parqui/all.html

http://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Parthenocissus+quinquefolia

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Magnolia tripetala, Umbrella Magnolia

Community: N/A

Native Region: Eastern North America

Mature Size: height: 15-30′, spread: 15-30′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forest edges, shrublands or thickets, leaves need wind protection, rich, moist, well-drained soils, partial to full shade

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8

Leaves: shiny green

Flowers: bowl-shaped, creamy white 

Fruit: cone-like, rose-red

Fruit: birds

Seed Dispersal: birds

Collect Seeds: early fall

https://floridata.com/Plants/Magnoliaceae/Magnolia+tripetala/839

https://bernheim.org/learn/trees-plants/bernheim-select-urban-trees/umbrella-magnolia/

https://gnps.org/plants/umbrella-magnolia-magnolia-tripetala/

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/magnolia/tripetala/

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d311

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MATR

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Ailanthus altissima f. erythrocarpa, Form of Tree of Heaven (erythros=red and carpos=fruit)

Community: N/A

Native Region: China

Mature Size: height: 40-80′, spread: 30-60′

Habitat: Valleys, wet sparse forests, shrub forest, anthropogenic, forest edges, very adaptable

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Leaves: deep green

Flowers: yellow-green

Fruit: bright red seeds (this is what differentiates this form from the species)

Toxic: humans, livestock

Tree of Heaven is generally not very palatable to wildlife or humans, and can even be toxic to domestic animals and people. It can be eaten with caution, however, in emergency situations.

Seed Dispersal: wind

Collect Seeds: fall

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/ailanthus-altissima

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a847

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/ailalt/all.html

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Ailanthus altissima var. sutchuenensis, Sichuan Tree of Heaven

Community: N/A

Native Region: Western China, introduced to United States

Mature Size: height: 40-80′, spread: 30-60′

Habitat: Valleys, wet sparse forests, shrub forest

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Leaves: deep green with whitish undersides, purplish leaf stalks, different from species Ailanthus altissima in that it has red branchlets

Flowers: greenish

Fruit: samara

Seed Dispersal: wind

Collect Seeds: fall

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242301839

https://www.britannica.com/plant/tree-of-heaven

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a847

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Tilia cordata, Littleleaf Linden

Community: N/A

Native Region: Europe and southwestern Asia (introduced to northeastern North America)

Mature Size: height: 50-70′, spread: 35-50′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forest edges, forests, wooded limestone cliffs, adapts to wide range of soils

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7

Leaves: shiny, dark green leaves that turn pale green to pale yellow in the fall

Flowers: pale yellow

Fruit: brown nutlets attached to bract-like wings

Flowers: humans, bees, hummingbirds

Foliage: humans, moth caterpillars, aphids

Fruit: humans

Sap: humans The young leaves can be eaten raw in place of lettuce. A chocolate substitute can even be made from a paste of the ground-up flowers and immature fruit. A popular herb tea is made from the (not too old) flowers, and the sap can be used as a drink or concentrated into a syrup.

Seed Dispersal: wind, birds, mammals

Collect Seeds: fall

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=858

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/small-leaved-lime/

https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/tilia/americana.htm

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/tilia/cordata/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TICO2

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a918

http://www.pfaf.org/User/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tilia+cordata

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Comptonia peregrina, Sweetfern

Community: Old Field

Native Region: Eastern North America, south to Florida

Mature Size: height: 2-5′, spread: 4-8′

Habitat: anthropogenic, grassland, meadows, fields, woodlands, tolerant of drought, wet conditions, wind, salt, and a wide range of soils

Hardiness Zone: 2 to 6

Leaves: narrow, olive-green leaves

Flowers: greenish-brown catkins

Fruit: greenish brown, burr-like nutlets

Foliage: humans, moose, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits

Fruit: humans, flickers, ruffed grouse

Seeds: ruffed grouse

Twigs: moose, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits

The young fruit of Sweetfern can be eaten by people.The leaves can be used fresh or dry to make tea, or as a seasoning.

Seed Dispersal: birds, mammals, wind, water

Collect Seeds: early fall

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2484309?seq=3#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/comptonia/peregrina/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=COPE80

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c240

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=cope80

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/comper/all.html

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Comptonia+peregrina

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Sassafras albidum, Common Sassafras

Community: New England Barrier Beach

Native Region: Eastern North America

Mature Size: height: 30-60′, spread: 24-40′

Habitat: anthropogenic, forest edges, forests

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Leaves: bright green above and white below, in three differently lobed shapes

Flowers: greenish-yellow

Fruit: bluish-black berries on scarlet stalks

Bark: rabbits

Buds: humans

Flowers: humans

Foliage: white-tailed deer, woodchucks, marsh rabbits, black bears, humans

Fruit: northern bobwhite, phoebes, wild turkeys, catbirds, flickers, woodpeckers, thrushes,mockingbirds, some small mammals, humans

Roots: humans

Shoots: humans

Twigs: white-tailed deer

Toxic: humans, essential oil in large quantity

The leaves of Sassafras can be eaten raw or cooked. The young leaves and winter buds can be added to salads while both the old and young leaves can be used as a flavoring or in soup. They can also be dried and ground into powder for later use.The young shoots have been used to make a kind of beer. The dried root bark can be boiled with sugar and water until it forms a thick paste that can be used as a condiment. Tea can be made from the root bark, leaves, fruit, and flowers. A tonic tea made from the root bark can even be made by brewing the root in maple syrup, which can then be concentrated into a jelly. The extracted essential oil can be poisonous in large quantities, and is banned as a food flavoring in the U.S.

Seed Dispersal: birds, mammals, water 

Collect Seeds: fall

https://www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/sassafras/albidum/

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SAAL5

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i820

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saal5

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/sasalb/all.html

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Sassafras+albidum