VEGETATION IDENTIFICATION

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Ilex opaca (American Holly) Of the Holly family - Aquifoliaceae

Native Habitat: Massachusetts to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, evergreen, 1.5 to 3.5" long, rarely nearly entire, from a single spine to 7 to 8 at most per side, dull to dark green above, occcasionally lustrous, yellowish beneath, glabrous.

Size: 40 to 50’ in North American but can grow up to 65′.

Stem: Moderate, green when young, sparsely pubescent in youth, finally glabrous, older stems gray to brown, rough, with circular raised lenticels.

Buds: Imbricate, about 1/8 to 1/6" long, greenish brown, slightly pubescent to glabrous, buds sit directly above leaf scar; leaf scar- half-moon shaped.

Preferred Soils:  Moderately fertile, moist, loose, acid, well-drained soil; partial shade or full sun; avoid extremely dry, windy, unprotected places; does not tolerate poor drainage under cultivation; air pollution tolerant.

Hardiness Zone(s): 5 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Chamaecyparis thyroids (Atlantic Whitecedar) Of the Cypress family - Cupressaceae

Native Habitat: Native of eastern Szechuan and western Hupeh, China.

Leaves: Bluish-green, glaucous green, to bright green.  1/10″ long.

Size: 40 to 50’ in North America but may reach 75’ in height.

Bark: Thin, ashy-gray to reddish-brown.  Ridged and furrows.

Stem: Slender, irregularly arranged, spreading not curving, very thin.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in wetlands and swampy areas, very moist soils and prefers full sun.

Design Value: Great use as a border plant or massing shrub to create formal edges or boundaries in landscape designs.  Also provides a transitory or perpetual vegetative edge in planting schemes.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) Of the Taxodium family - Taxodiaceae

Native Habitat: Native of eastern Szechuan and western Hupeh, China.

Leaves: Deciduous, opposite, linear, straight or slightly curved, 1/2″ long.  Bright green with a narrowly grooved mid-vein.

Size: 70 to 100’ in North America but may reach 120’ in height.

Bark: Reddish brown when young, becoming darker, fissured and exfoliating in long narrow strips.

Buds: Opposite, in pairs, and about 1/4″ long, with scales light reddish or yellowish brown, appearing stalked.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in moist, deep, well-drained soil and does not adapt well to chalky soils.  Prefers acidic soils and partial and full sun.

Design Value: This pyramidal tree is a glorious landmark in any large-scale setting.  It is not drought-tolerant at all, particularly when young.  Easy to care for, Dawn Redwood has been found to be very tolerant of urban pollution. It seems to thrive best in almost rainforest conditions, which the high humidity in much of the U.S. makes it tolerable. This part of the world was once its home, and you will find it quite adaptable to nearly any condition except dry soil.

Hardiness Zone(s): 5 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Clethora alnifolia (Ruby Spice)

Of the Flowering Plants family - Clethraceae

Native Habitat: Native of eastern North America from southern Nova Scotia and Maine south to northern Florida, and west to eastern Texas.

Leaves: Deciduous, serrate, obovate, dark green leaves, 4” long and turn a variable yellow/golden brown in fall.

Size: 4 to 6’ in North America.

Bark & Flowers: Cylindrical, bottlebrush-like, terminal panicles of extremely fragrant rose pink flowers that bloom in July and August.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in moist, deep, well-drained soil and medium to wet soils in full sun and partial shade. Tolerates clay soils. 

Design Value: Great use as a border plant or massing shrub to create formal edges or boundaries in landscape designs.  Also provides a transitory or perpetual vegetative edge in planting schemes.  Also an appropriate plant for wetlands and remediative landscapes.  Wetland and riparian species are essential to healthy ecosystems because they are able to absorb the force of strong winds, fluctuating water levels, abating flood peaks, and preventing shoreline erosion, wetlands, and the plants growing in them, protect terrestrial areas from storm and flood damage. The plants in wetlands help to filter chemical and particulate pollutants, and trap sediment in the water table.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet) Of the Bittersweet family - Celastraceae

Native Habitat: Native of eastern Szechuan and western Hupeh, China.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, ovate to oblong, 2 to 4″ long, serrated and glaborous.  Lustrous dark green.

Size: 20’ in North America.

Stem: Brown to tan, lenticels barely noticeable.

Buds: Brownish, small and glaborous.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in most kinds of soils as it is pH adaptable. Prefers full sun for best fruits.

Hardiness Zone(s): 3 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Cichorium intybus (Chicory) 

Of the Aster family - Asteraceae

Native Habitat: Widespread across North America, predominantly in Ohio and the north-west.

Leaves: Basal leaves similar to Dandelions but become smaller as they climb the stem.

Size: Can grow up to 35” to 70” in height.

Bark & Flowers: 0.75” to 1.5” usually bright light blue (sometimes white or pink). Tough, grooved, hairy stem

Preferred Soils: Maximum growing potential in acidic and lime-rich soils but tolerates a variety of types, grows in disturbed areas.

Hardiness Zone(s): 3 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) Of the Legume family - Fabaceae

Native Habitat: Native of southeastern South Dakota to New Orleans and central Texas, and as far east as eastern Massachusetts.

Leaves: Alternate, and both compound and double compound leaves on the same plant. The leaflets are 3/4 to 1 1/2″ inches long, with small widely spaced teeth.

Size: 30 to 70’ in North America but can grow up to 100′ in height.

Stem: Slender, shiny, greenish brown to reddish brown.

Buds: Buds are mostly embedded in the branch with only the tips protruding.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in most kinds of soils as it is pH adaptable. Prefers full sun or partial shade.

Design Value:  Popular choices for sidewalks, city parks and parking lots, because it stands up just fine to road salt and compacted soil, and it's tolerant of soil that's in very bad shape in general.  Has a gorgeous form, provides wonderful dappled light, sports some beautiful and delicate leaves and has year-round interest.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

Of the Vines family - Vitaceae

Native Habitat: New England to Florida and Mexico, west to Ohio, Illinois and Missouri.

Leaves: Alternate, compound, 5 leaflets, elliptical to oblong-ovate, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2″ long.

Size: 30 to 50’ in North America but may reach 60’ in height.

Habit: Deciduous vine with tendrils which have 5 to 8 branches, with adhesive-like tips.

Buds: Collateral, brownish, round-conical, with end-bud absent.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in most kinds of soils and are able to succeed in urban areas.  Tolerant to wind, pollution, salt, full sun and full shade.

Hardiness Zone(s): 5 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Sassafras albidum (Sassafras) Of the Laurel family - Lauraceae

Native Habitat: Maine to Ontario and Michigan, south to Florida and Texas.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, 3 to 7″ long, bright to medium green above, glabrous and glaucous beneath, with mitten-shaped or 3-lobed.

Size: 30 to 60′ in North America, but can reach up to 80′

Bark: Dark reddish-brown, deeply ridged-and-furrowed, forming flat corky ridges that are easily cut.

Buds: Terminal, green-tinged with red tip, 1/3″ long.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in moist, acidic, rich, loamy soils.  Can tolerate drier soils, although reaches maximum development in moist, fertile areas, as long as they are not permanently wet.  Can grow in most pH soils and requires full sun or partial sun.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Pinus rigida (Pitch Pine) Of the Pine family - Pinaceae

Native Habitat: New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Ontario and Kentucky.

Leaves: Needles in groups of 3, rigid, slightly curved and twisted, 3 to 5" long, yellow to pale to occasionally dark green.

Size: 40 to 60’ in North America but may reach 100’ in height.

Bark: Dark and very scaly at first; older trees are smoother with brownish yellow, flat plates separated by narrow irregular fissures.

Buds: Cylindrical or conical, sharp-pointed, usually resinous.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in light, sandy, moist, and well-drained soil.  Salt tolerant and able to survive on the driest, sandiest sites.  Prefers acidic soils and partial and full sun.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 7.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Pseudolarix amabilis (Golden Larch) Of the Pine family - Panacea

Native Habitat: Eastern China.

Leaves: Scattered and spreading, often curved, 1.5 to 2.5" long.  Light green and rounded above.

Size: 30 to 50’ in North America but can grow up to 120’.

Bark: Old trunks feature grayish to reddish brown bark and lightly ridged-and-furrowed with broad ridges.

Buds: Ovoid, pointed, and surrounded by long-pointed, brown scales with free tips which fall away soon after the leaves develop in spring  Buds rounded with short-pointed deciduous scales.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in light, moist, acidic, deep, well-drained soil.  Does not adapt well to high pH soils and prefers full sun.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 7.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)

Of the Aster family - Asteraceae

  Native Habitat: Native to Eurasia and North America.

Leaves: Dark green basal leaves 2” to 17” long and 1” to 10” across.

Size: Usually under 12” but can grow up to 18”.

Bark & Flowers: Bright yellow flower heads 1” to 3” in diameter with hollow stalks.

Preferred Soils: Extremely common and adapts to most soils in temperate regions, thrives in disturbed sites and areas with moist soils in full sun or partial shade.

Hardiness Zone(s): 3 to 10.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Oxydendron arboreum (Sourwood) Of the Heath family- Ericaceae

Native Habitat: Virginia to North Carolina and in southwestern Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, to Tennessee.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, 3 to 8" long, pale to lustrous dark green and glabrous above, lighter green beneath.

Size: 25 to 30’ in North America, but can grow to 90′.

Bark: Grayish-brown to brown, thick, deeply furrowed, and has rather scaly ridges that are often cut horizontally.

Buds: Small, 1/16" long, lacking a terminal bud.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in acidic, moist, well-drained soil.  Can still perform in drier soils and requires full sun or partial shade.

Design Value: Great use as a border plant or massing shrub to create formal edges or boundaries in landscape designs.  Also provides a transitory or perpetual vegetative edge in planting schemes.  

Hardiness Zone(s): 5 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Tilia americana (Basswood) Of the Linden family - Tiliaceae

Native Habitat: Canada to Virginia and Alabama, west to North Dakota, Kansas and Texas.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, 4 to 8" long, coarsely serrated with long-pointed teeth, lustrous dark-green and glabrous above, light-green beneath.

Size: 60 to 80’ in height with a spread of ½ to 2/3’s the height, but can grow to 100’ or more; national champion is 78’ by 100’ in Montgomery County, PA.

Bark: Gray to brown, broken into many long, narrow, flat-topped, scaly ridges, very tough and fibrous.

Buds: Terminal, somewhat flattened, brown, reddish-brown or greenish, smooth at apex, bud shaped like a tear drop.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in deep, moist, fertile soils.  Tolerant to drier, heavier soils. Requires full sun or partial shade and is pH adaptable.

Hardiness Zone(s): 3 to 9.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven)

Of the Tropical Plants family - Simaroubaceae

Native Habitat: Native of China, but has naturalized over much of the United States.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, 18 to 24″ long, with 13 to 25 which are 3 to 5″ leaflets.  Dark green, glaborous.

Size: 40 to 60’ in North America but may reach 70’ in height.

Bark: Grayish, slightly roughened with fine, light colored longitudinal streaks.

Buds: Terminal, absent, lateral and relatively small.  Half-spherical, reddish-brown, and downy.

Preferred Soils: The most adaptable and pollution tolerant tree available.  Prefers full sun or partial shade.

Design Value: Do not plant.  Has the ability to thrive and spread aggressively outside its native range.  Naturally aggressive plant may be especially invasive when it is introduced to a new habitat.

Hardiness Zone(s): 5 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Frangula alnus (Buckthorn) Of the Flowering Plants family - Rhamnaceae

Native Habitat: Native of Europe and western Asia, but have naturalized in eastern and midwestern United States.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, oval or obovate, 1 to 4″ long, acute, rounded.  Lustrous dark-green above, lighter green on bottom.

Size: 10 to 12’ in North America but can grow up to 18′ in height.

Stem: Slender, pubescent on young stems, eventually becoming glabrous.

Buds: Terminal, pubescent, brownish, and small.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in most kinds of soils as it is pH adaptable. Prefers full sun or partial shade.

Design Value: Do not plant.  Has the ability to thrive and spread aggressively outside its native range.  Naturally aggressive plant may be especially invasive when it is introduced to a new habitat.

Hardiness Zone(s): 3 to 7.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)

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Phytolacca americana (Pokeweed) Of the Flowering Plants family - Phytolaccaceae

Native Habitat: Native of to the eastern half of the United States.  The distribution of this species has not been mapped in Ohio.

Leaves: Large, alternately arranged, fleshy and shiny. Leaves are elliptical to egg-shaped and range from 5 to 20″ long.  The upper leaf surface is dark green, while the lower surface is pinkish-green with conspicuous pink veins. Leaves become smaller toward the top of the plant.

Size: 20’ in North America.

Stem: Stems can grow 3 to 7′ feet tall, and several may emerge from one taproot. The smooth, fleshy, thick stems are typically reddish to deep red-purple, and are branched in the upper portion. Stems can attain a diameter of 4″ and are usually hollow.

Fruits: Shiny, juicy berry, 1/4″ wide, with 1 seed per chamber. Berries are flattened, round in outline, and initially green, becoming black-purple at maturity. As the fruit ripens, the clusters become heavy and drooping, resembling a grape bunch, and the stems holding the berries turn a bright red-purple. Ripe berries are filled with crimson juice. Seeds are 1/8" wide, lens-shaped, black and shiny.

Preferred Soils: Maximal growing potential in damp, rich, loamy, acidic soils in clearings, woodland margins and roadsides.

Hardiness Zone(s): 4 to 8.

(Source: Dirr, Manual of Woody Plants on Reserve, in Del Tredeci, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, A Field Guide on Reserve)