Common Plants of the Quiet Corner
Transcription
Common Plants of the Quiet Corner
Common Plants of the Quiet Corner A functional guide Common Plants of the Quiet Corner A Functional Guide Edited By Richard Campbell Design Deborah Spalding Contributors Deborah Spalding, Thomas Hodgman, Kristofer Covey, Marlyse Duguid Photo credits: Unless otherwise noted all photos are used with permission from the following three sources or in the public domain University of Connecticut Plant Database (www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants, ©Mark Brand) Vanderbilt University Bioimages (www.cas.vanderbilt/bioimages.edu, ©Steve Baskauf) Connecticut Botanic Society (www.ct-botanical-society.org, ©Janet Novak) A Publication of the Yale School Forests Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies 360 Prospect St. New Haven, CT 06511 2 How to Use this book: This book is designed to be a user-friendly, functional field guide for Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner.” Within, you should find many of the plants you are likely to see on any given day in the forest. Don’t expect to find information on rare and endangered species here; the focus is on common plants, where they are likely to be found, and how to deal with them. This book is not organized like a traditional botanical guide. Rather, species are sorted based on their most obvious characteristics. Thus, if the plant you are looking at is a woody-stemmed species with opposite leaves/branches and a simple leaf, please turn to page 6. If it is opposite branching but with compound leaves, please turn to page 11. If it is alternate branching with simple leaves, please turn to page 12. If it is alternate branching with compound leaves, please turn to page 30. If it is a conifer, please turn to page 35. If it is a woody shrub without thorns, please turn to page 39. If it is a woody shrub with thorns, please turn to page 47. If it is a vine, please turn to page 52. If it is an herbaceous flowering plant, please turn to page 55. If it is a fern or a fern-type plant (a fern ally), please turn to page 70. An example is included on the following page to help you sort through the information you will find on each species. 3 Common name, Scientific name (family) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Leaf description Buds/Twigs: Bud and twig description Stem: Stem description Flowers/Fruits: Flower/fruit description Other identifying characteristics Growth habit Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Preferred soil type Nutrient requirements Drainage requirements Light requirements • • • • Products from the species How you deal with the species Associated species Regeneration methods Disturbances • • Affinity to type and intensity of disturbance Mitigation techniques Morphological Category Wetland Indicator: FACU-facultative upland FACW-facultative wetland OBL-wetland obligate OBLU-obligate upland 4 Table of Contents Example page……………………………………………….……………..5 Opposite simple leaved woody species……….……………….6 Maple 6 Viburnum 9 Dogwood 10 Alternate compound leaved woody species..……………...30 30 34 Conifers……………………………………………………………………….35 Opposite compound leaved woody species……...…………11 Ash Hickory Butternut Pine 35 Hemlock 38 Shrubs without thorns or prickles………………………………..39 11 Laurel Alternate simple leaved woody species……….………………12 39 Oak 12 Blueberry 40 Beech 15 Spicebush 42 Chestnut 16 Summersweet 43 Birch 17 Winterberry 44 21 Sweetfern 45 Spirea 46 Musclewood Hornbeam 22 Tulip poplar 23 Shrubs with thorns or prickles……………………………………..47 Cherry 24 Raspberry 47 Basswood 25 Rose 50 Barberry 51 Aspen 26 Witchhazel 27 Hazelnut 28 Dogwood 29 Vines……………...……….………………………………………………….52 Herbaceous species……………..……………………………………..55 Ferns and fern allies 70 5 Sugar maple, Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● Leaves: Palmate lobes, rounded tips on large wavy teeth Rounded sinuses. Typically five main veins Buds/Twigs: Light brown, sharp pointed, conical buds with many scales Stem: Smaller stems with fine warty texture; large stems with large plates Flowers/Fruits: Paired winged samaras © www.bio.brandeis.edu ● ● ● Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Sands, loams and silt loams Best on well drained soils, but found on mesic and upland sites Shade tolerant, sensitive to road salt Disturbances • • • Less susceptible to insects but will suffer damage from gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) , and eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) Borers and cankers rarely kill tree but may lead to severe deformity Deer browse Opposite Simple • • • • • ● Produces valuable timber and syrup Can survive under shade suppression for long periods Gradual release preferred due to epicormic sprouting from dormant buds Codominant with beech, oak, yellow birch, tulip poplar Trees grown in the open may exhibit forking at low heights with large crowns. While this will increase sap production it will be at the expense of timber quality May appear similar to Norway maple (which is distinguished by milky sap) Wetland Indicator: FACU 6 Red maple, Acer rubrum (Aceraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Serrate margins, often three lobes (sometimes five) V-shaped sinuses. Petioles often reddish Buds/Twigs: Reddish, ovoid, blunt buds with many scales Stem: Bark is variable. Younger stems are smooth and gray; older stems develop intermittent groups of long vertical scratches Flowers/Fruits: Paired samaras, often reddish in color Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Tolerates a wide range of soil types and moisture regimes. May dominate on wet, swampy sites Moderately shade tolerant; flowers early, lives long Common in most forest types of New England May outcompete other species on marginal sites Disturbances • • • • • • • • • Fire intolerant Sensitive to damage from logging Deer browse Moderately susceptible to insects and pathogens but these are rarely fatal Vigorous sprouter; reaches maturity in 70-80 years Responds rapidly when released; grows faster than sugar maple Increases in abundance following disturbance such as windthrow, hurricanes, or logging Often has poor form, but readily forms cavities making it excellent wildlife habitat Wood is softer than sugar maple Wetland Indicator: FAC Opposite Simple 7 © www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org Striped maple, Acer pensylvanicum (Aceraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Typically, three lobes. Often quite large Buds/Twigs: Dark colored, stalked, bud with two scales Stem: Stem is green with lighter-colored vertical stripes Flowers/Fruits: Fruits are samaras that are first reddish, changing to tan Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Common on sandy loams Prefers moist, well drained soils Shade tolerant • • • • Disturbances • • • ● Not particularly susceptible to insects Susceptible to Verticillium wilt which can be fatal May also develop Cristulariella depraedens, a common leaf spot disease Roots are shallow and widespread; overstory protects from windthrow Opposite Simple • • Grows in small forest openings or as an understory tree in mixed hardwoods Important food source for wildlife, particularly rabbits and porcupine, but may also be eaten by deer and beaver Sometimes called moosewood Can form dense clonal thickets inhibiting regeneration of canopy species Capable of flowering and fruiting as early as 11 years old (3 ft height) Grows slowly, lifespan up to 100 years Wetland Indicator: FACU 8 Maple-leaved viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium (Caprifoliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Palmately lobed, toothed leaves that look similar to red maple. Often with some hair on the lower side Buds/Twigs: Terminal clusters of white lacecap flowers give way to black berries Stem: Straight with spreading branches ascending upward; No more than 3-6 ft in height Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Tolerant of acidic soils. Grows in moist, well drained soils, as well as drier upland forest sites Relatively shade tolerant for an understory shrub • • ● ● Valuable nesting/cover for birds and small mammals Often mistaken for Red maple, particularly as seedlings, but MLV leaves feel fuzzy May form dense thickets Stoloniferous, will respond to being cut back by sending up suckers from the roots Disturbances ● Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot Wetland Indicator: FAC Opposite Simple 9 Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida (Cornaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Typical dogwood leaf, ovate with arcuate veins that converge with the leaf margin Buds/Twigs: Stalked, dome-like buds. Twigs purple with waxy bloom Fruit: Clusters of bright red fruits Stem: Small statured and low branching. Bark is dark grey, blocky Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows well on both deep moist soils and light welldrained soils. Does not do well on poorly drained clay or dry soils Shallow root systems makes it difficult to grow on dry sites Very shade tolerant Management Considerations • • • • • Typically grows as a scattered understory tree Valuable wildlife food source Moderately resistant to herbicide Does better following shelterwood cuts vs. clearcuts Litter is important in calcium cycling Disturbances • • • • Flood and Fire intolerant Severely affected by anthracnose Susceptible to basal stem canker, leafspot, powdery mildew, and dogwood borer May be heavily browsed by deer Opposite Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 10 White ash, Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Pinnate leaves, paired leaflets with one terminal at end Buds/Twigs: Large, brown buds that resemble crowns Stem: Smooth with weak ridges when young, but with prominent soft-ridged, light colored-bark when large Flowers/Fruit: Dioecious, with small wind pollinated flowers Fruit are 1-2 inch long paddle-shaped samaras Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers fertile soils with a high Nitrongen and moderate to high Calcium content Performs best on moderately well drained soils, sandy to clay loam soils Moderately tolerant of temporary flooding Disturbances • • • © Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service Management Considerations • • • • • Strong wood and resistance to shock has made it a good wood for handles, oars, and baseball bats. Also makes excellent firewood. Shelterwood and overstory removal treatments are useful strategies for management; as seedlings have been shown to develop best in at least 45 percent of full sunlight strong apical dominance Long lived shade intolerant species Indicates good site quality Ash dieback (mycoplasma), Oystershell scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi), Ash bark beetle (Leperisinus aculeatus) and ash borer (Podosesia syringae), Ash yellows Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is emerging as a concern Seedlings damaged by deer, rabbits, beaver, and porcupine Wetland Indicator: FACU Opposite Compound 11 White 0ak, Quercus alba (Fagaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Lobed leaves with round tips Buds/Twigs: Pointed buds, clustered at shoot tips—glabrous Stem: Large trees have whitish-grey bark that is blocky near the base, and rough and platy higher up the stem Fruit: 3/4 to 1 inch long acorns with a bumpy bowl shaped cap. Acorns are borne in pairs Stem: Light grey, flaky bark Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: found on a variety of soils. Will grow on all but driest and most shallow Does not tend to be mineral limited unless very sandy Soil moisture not a critical factor in seedling development unless very dry. Common on rocky soils • • • Acorns highly desired by wildlife; critical masting species for a variety of fauna Often succeeded by shade tolerant species such as beech/maple Generally low timber value due to frequent deformities is often balanced by value as seed and food source for wildlife May be susceptible to epicormic sprouting after canopy opening Disturbances • • • Sensitive to flooding, frost, and drought Will sprout vigorously after tree is damaged or killed. May stump sprout following moderate fire Moderately susceptible to deer browse Alternate Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 12 Red oak, Quercus rubra (Fagaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Lobed leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped ends Buds/Twigs: Pointed buds clustered at shoot tips. Possibly a few hairs at bud tips, but not hairy Stem: Large trees have brownish bark with smooth vertical sections separated by rough grooves, producing the “ski tracks” look Flowers/Fruits: 3/4 to 1 inch long acorns have shallow caps, can be single or in pairs Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Grows best on deep, well-drained loam to silty, clay loam soil Driving factors of site quality are depth and texture of the A soil horizon, aspect, and slope position and shape. Prefers soils with a thick A horizon, and a loam to silt loam texture Intermediate shade tolerance (more than white, black, or scarlet oaks) Management Considerations • • • • • • Disturbances • • Hybridizes readily with black and scarlet oak Responds well to release if trees are codominant or above May see epicormic sprouting following heavy thinning in stands older than about 30 years or on trees around the perimeter of openings, because the boles contain numerous dormant buds More shade tolerant than Black oak Masting is very irregular Shelterwood treatments, uniform or irregular, are best for regeneration Most susceptible to gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) Oak wilt, root rot, carpenterworm (Prionoxystus robiniae) Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 13 Black oak, Quercus velutina (Fagaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Lobed leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped ends Buds/Twigs: Pointed buds clustered at shoot tips. Velvety, hairy buds have flattened sides (which are more easily seen when viewing from the top of the bud) Stem: Clear examples of black oak will have grayish-black, blocky bark (with blocks being 1-2 inches in size), especially on the lowest part of the stem Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Grows best on dry, well-drained, silty clay to loam soils; can also grow on cool, moist spodosols Site quality driven by thickness and texture of the A horizon, texture of the B horizon, aspect, and slope position. Grows in coves and on upper slopes Disturbances • • Management Considerations • • • • • • • Oak wilt, oak bark beetle, gypsy moth Susceptible to “oak decline” where initial damaging agent (drought, defoliation, etc.) leads to secondary agent (fatal) such as root rot Alternate Simple Hybridizes readily with red and scarlet oaks Intermediate shade tolerance Sprouts under mature stands can develop crooked stems and flattopped or misshapen crowns Even-aged management or shelterwood preferred to all-aged or selection system (inadequate light will preclude regeneration). Trees can be easily dominated by more shade-tolerant species. Responds well to release if in the codominant or above-average intermediate crown classes Frequent cavities have high wildlife value Wetland Indicator: OBLU 14 Beech, Fagus grandifolia (Fagaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Elliptic to ovate with prominent pinnate veins and toothed margins Buds/Twigs: Buds long and pointed, 1/2 to 3/4 inches long Stem: Smooth and silvery gray in all sizes, though it may look rough and scarred from Beech bark disease Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Soils of loamy texture and those with a high humus content are more favorable than lighter soils Grows on mesic sites Very shade tolerant. Grows slowly in the understory, then grows rapidly when canopy is opened Will outcompete other understory species by root suckering • • • • Disturbances • • • • • Impacted by beech bark disease (Nectria coccinea) Susceptible to forest tent caterpillar and gypsy moth Highly intolerant to fire due to thin bark Can be damaged by frost, particularly in the late spring Sensitive to flooding • Tendency to sprout from both base and roots can create management difficulties, because of the potential for the formation of monodominant thickets Seedlings grow best under a moderate canopy or in protected small openings where the soil does not dry out below the depth of the shallow roots Tends to be a poor deer browse Selection cuts will allow beech to flourish and may be suppressed by overstory removal treatments that allow less shade tolerant species to grow more quickly upon release Important hard mast species for wildlife Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 15 Chestnut, Castanea dentata (Fagaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Similar to beech but teeth are larger and wavy or curved, with more pronounced teeth Buds/Twigs: Ovate, light brown buds Stem: Often multiple stems, sometimes with a single, larger dead stem as a result of the chestnut blight Flowers/Fruits: prolific bearer of nuts, usually with three nuts enclosed in each spiny green burr, and lined in tan velvet Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● ● Intermediate shade tolerance Can grow in a variety of soils including high acidity; prefers well drained, slightly acidic loam Drought tolerant once established • • • Once a common species, the chestnut was nearly eliminated by the chestnut blight, a fungal disease imported from Asia Species will sprout from stumps of infected trees, reaching perhaps 20 ft in height before becoming infected Prized as a timber tree particularly due to a faster growth rate than oaks Ongoing studies are testing possible reintroduction using resistant strains and hybrids Disturbances ● ● Susceptible to the chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) which is responsible for virtually eliminating reproductive aged trees from the eastern forests Browsed by deer Alternate Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 16 Yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis (Betulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Oval leaves with finely serrated margins, may be pubescent Buds/Twigs: Crushed twigs have wintergreen smell. Twigs and buds generally pubescent Stem: Small stems are smooth and shiny, large stems have golden, frilly, peeling bark. Prominent horizontal lenticels on all stems Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are catkins held in clusters Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers moist, well drained soils; oftern found in riparian areas Susceptible to drought from shallow roots Intermediate shade tolerance Disturbances • • • Heavily browsed by deer Sensitive to frost, ice damage, snow load and at times windthrow if on shallow soil Susceptible to fire injury due to thin bark Management Considerations • • • • • • • • Good timber species with strong, close-grained wood Thought to be effective pioneers of high salinity sites Reproduces well in small clearcuts, patch cuts or group selection which create openings for regeneration Sensitive to winter sunscald, high soil temperature and sudden exposure. Susceptible to injury from harvest activities Lateral shade will aid in formation of straight trunks with minimal branching Long-lived Will not reproduce under a closed canopy and requires soil disturbance and light Indicates good sites Wetland Indicator: FAC Alternate Simple 17 Black birch, Betula lenta (Betulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Oval leaves with finely serrated margins Buds/Twigs: Crushed twigs have wintergreen smell. Twigs and are typically smooth Stem: Smooth, slate gray to blackish blue when young. Has large, irregular plates when older. All stems have clearly visible horizontal lenticels Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are separate male and female catkins held in clusters Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows best on moist, well-drained soils. May also be found on lower quality sites with rocky coarse-textured or shallow soils, but likely to be outcompeted on excessively dry soils Relatively shade tolerant Replaced chestnut in previously chestnut dominated sites Management Considerations • • • • Will reproduce from sprouting but not as prolifically as red maple or beech Will readily establish in small forest openings, so does not need to be favored in regeneration treatments. However, individual large trees should be occasionally retained for structure and diversity Small wind blown seed travels great distances Tends to be the first to establish in a variety of disturbance and harvested sites Disturbances • • • Intermediate drought resistance Susceptible to a variety of fungi as well as nectria canker Extremely susceptible to fire damage due to thin bark Alternate Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 18 Paper birch, Betula papyrifera (Betulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Oval to triangular in shape; pubescent Buds/Twigs: Twigs and buds pubescent, without wintergreen scent Stem: Small stems are dark purple to black in color. Larger stems have the characteristic white, peeling bark. Chevrons above branches are rounded and less prominent than those on gray birch Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Will grow in a variety of soil or topographical conditions but prefers deep, moderately to well drained sandy or silty soils Often found on drier sites Management Considerations • • • • • Shade intolerant; shallow rooted; short lived Regenerates well in clearcutting systems although shelterwood and patch cuts are often used Will benefit from soil scarification Prolific seeder; light windblown seed may travel great distance May seed in aggressively after wildfire Disturbances • • • Adapted to fire; medium tolerance Susceptible to birch dieback, bronze birch borer, and tent caterpillar May be browsed by deer as seedlings; more heavily browsed by moose Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 19 Gray birch, Betula populifolia (Betulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Triangular with serrate margins and long tapering points Buds/Twigs: Rough, wiry orange-brown twigs have prominent lenticles that appear “warty” Stem: Like paper birch, small stems are dark and larger stems are grayish white in color. Chevrons are sharp, v-shaped, and more prominent than those on paper birch Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● ● ● Soils: Grows best on moist, well-drained soil along streams, ponds, and swamps; can grow on dry sandy or gravelly soil Shallow roots; shade intolerant Signature tree of recently disturbed sites, rapidly colonizing old fields and exposed mineral soil Very shade intolerant Management Considerations • • • • Adaptable to disturbed sites Fast growing and short lived Often multiple-stemmed Little commercial value Disturbances • • Susceptible to ice and snow damage Susceptible to fire due to thin bark Wetland Indicator: FAC Alternate Simple 20 Musclewood, Carpinus caroliniana (Betulaceae) ● ● ● ● ● ● Subcanopy or understory tree Leaves: Ovate, double-toothed leaves Buds/Twigs: Fine twigs, with many scaled buds that are brown Flowers/Fruits: Chain-like cluster of pendulous winged fruits Bark is thin, close, and smooth, resembling flexed muscles Slow growing, small understory tree Preferred Growing Conditions • • www.biology.missouristate.edu/herbarium Identifying Characteristics Soils: Grows best on rich, moist soils in bottomland areas and on protected slopes Shade tolerant, particularly in seedling stage Management Considerations • • • • Responds well to nutrient loading Canopy trees required to maintain shade May proliferate following selection cuts May outcompete less tolerant hardwoods following thinnings Disturbances • Not highly susceptible to insects or disease Wetland Indicator: FAC Alternate Simple 21 Hop hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana (Betulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Oval leaves with doubly serrate leaf margins Buds/Twigs: Fine twigs, with many greenish scaled buds Stem: Light colored stem with bark that forms small, vertical shreds—like peeling paint Flowers/Fruits: Male flowers catkins in threes; fruit clusters look like fruit of hops plant Bark forms vertical strips which exfoliate at the end Understory tree Management Considerations • • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • • Winter food for ruffed grouse Sprouts and grows quickly in juvenile state following overstory removal Does not grow well along roads, and is difficult to transplant Soils: Best in slightly acidic, moist, cool, fertile soil Common on mesic sites Shade tolerant Will persist on dry, gravelly soils once established Disturbances • • • • Salt intolerant Not particularly susceptible to insects or disease Sensitive to pollution Resistant to wind, snow, and ice Alternate Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 22 Tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Four-lobed leaves, with lobes at right angles Buds/Twigs: Only two bud scales Stem: Bark has prominent vertical ridges like ash, but deeper, and often ‘tilted’ Flowers/Fruits: Tulip shaped yellow-green flowers on stem tips; difficult to see because of color and orientation Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Best on moderately deep loams, moderate moisture, well drained and loose textured Shade intolerant Mainly pollinated by insects Disturbances • • • Browsed by deer Low susceptibility to pests Mature trees able to withstand low intensity ground fires; seedlings and saplings fire sensitive • • • • • Longevity of seed beds reduces need for seed trees; clearcuts and seed tree treatments can be very effective for regeneration May stain from wood-staining fungi when harvested in warm season Seedlings may not germinate until the following year if stands are harvested in late spring or summer; may give window to competing vegetation. Best to harvest in fall, winter, or early spring unless there is large seed bed Will respond quickly to overstory removal Rapid growth, strong apical control Tallest of the eastern deciduous trees Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 23 Black cherry, Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Oval with finely serrate margins Buds/Twigs: Twigs have bitter, unpleasant smell when crushed Stem: Small stems dark and smooth with very prominent horizontal lenticels. Large stems have dark, scaly bark that looks like burnt potato chips. Often with black knot cankers on twigs and stems Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers strongly acidic, relatively infertile soils Does particularly well on mesic sites Typically occurs as scattered individuals in a stand • • • Leaves toxic to livestock but not deer. Important food source for birds and black bear Methods for regeneration can be clearcut, seed tree, or very open shelterwood Abundance of buried seed will often germinate and grow quickly following release from canopy removal Valuable timber, but rarely exhibits good form Disturbances • • • Susceptible to eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum), and Black knot Shallow rooted; susceptible to wind throw Large seed banks and sprouting capability often lead to rapid establishment following fire, harvest, or wind throw Alternate Simple Wetland Indicator: FACU 24 Basswood, Tilia americana (Tiliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Large heart-shaped leaves, with asymmetrical bases Buds/Twigs: Large buds with two reddish brown bud scales of differing size Stem: Bark is smooth with vertical grooves, often with sets of horizontal holes from sapsuckers. Coppices vigorously Lateral root system Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Prefers loam, sandy or silty—found in generally fine textured bottomland soils Intermediate shade tolerance Prefers mesic sites; moderately flood tolerant Nitrogen demanding species • • • • • • Typically occurs in mixed stands Decayed wood good for cavity nesters Shelterwood can be used when advanced generation is present Stump sprouting allows it to persist with high seed producing sugar maple in the understory Prescribed fire use not recommended in basswood stands Bee pollinated Disturbances • • • Browsed by deer Susceptible to linden borer (Saperda vestita), various canker, gypsy moth, and forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) Fire intolerant Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 25 Bigtooth aspen, Populus grandidentata (Salicaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Leaves with prominently toothed margins Buds/Twigs: Twigs are rounded and whitish, gummy buds Stem: Bark is variable, with individuals exhibiting smooth to diamond-shaped ridged structure Larger leaves than quaking aspen as well as large irregular teeth Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Will grow on acidic soils Extreme shade intolerance Shallow, widely spreading roots Grows best on dry upland sites • • • Preferred forest type for ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) habitat; good species for cavity nesters Grows faster and more pathogen resistant than quaking aspen Prolific seeder but requires bare, moist soil without competition to establish. Most stands regenerate vegetatively Quite rare on the forest, and is often worth retaining for diversity rather than timber value Disturbances • • Susceptible to gypsy moth Medium fire tolerance Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 26 Witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana (Hamamelidaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● ● Small multi-stemmed understory tree Leaves: Roundish, with wavy margins, uneven bases, and coarse teeth Buds/Twigs: Stalked, naked buds Stem: Often multiple, arching short stems with crooked branches Fruit: Woody capsule with two to four seeds Flowers: Spiderlike with four narrow, crinkled petals Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Most abundant on mesic sites; prefers moist, cool, acidic soils Shade tolerant mid to late seral species Management Considerations • • • • Dense cover may inhibit regeneration of shade intolerant species Shallow rooting system This non-timber forest product is used as an astringent; eastern Connecticut is considered the “witch hazel capital of the world” Suckers aggressively from cut stumps. “Hack-and-squirt” herbicide application may be necessary to kill colonies Disturbances • Fire intolerant Wetland Indicator: FAC Alternate Simple 27 Hazelnut, Corylus americana (Hamamelidaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Large multi-stemmed shrub Leaves: Double-toothed, broad leaf with pointed tips Buds/Twigs: Rounded, blunt, brown-gray buds. Zig-zag light brown twigs with stiff glandular hairs Stem: Smooth grey to brown bark Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are catkins that give way to edible nuts with a hairy leaf-like husk that has fringed edges Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers rich, moist, well drained , loamy soil Found along streams, forest edges, roadsides, meadows shade tolerant • Similar in appearance to beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), which is also found in northeastern Connecticut. Fruit differs by having a husk with a tubular extension that resembles a beak, and smooth hairless twigs. Overall height tends to be shorter the C. Americana Disturbances • • Sprouts following fire Susceptible to leaf spot and caterpillars Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Simple 28 Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia (Cornaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Typical dogwood leaf, with veins that converge with the leaf margin, but alternate Buds/Twigs: Pagoda-like branching, braches are green to purple and glabrous, turning yellow when dead. Buds are small and ovoid Stem: Forks near the ground into several branches that spread horizontally in layers Flowers/Fruits: Fruit is a drupe changing green to red to blueblack as it matures between July and August Bark changes from smooth and reddish to gray and ridged as tree ages Management Considerations • • Often found in edges of woodlands and waterways Resistant to anthracnose Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows best on well drained, moist, acidic soils Can be found on stream and swamp borders Common shade tolerant species in late successional forests Disturbances ● Twig blight and cankers are sometimes a problem Wetland Indicator: FACW Alternate Simple 29 Bitternut Hickory, Carya cordiformis (Juglandaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Pinnately compound with five to 11 leaflets; leaflets are largest at the tip and smallest at base Buds/Twigs: Powdery, sulfur-yellow buds with two scales Stem: Tight, greenish bark, with smooth ridges; often straight with great height below the live crown Flowers/Fruit: Monecious; flowers are catkins and fruit are nuts that split evenly into four pieces Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers well-drained loams, found on upland sites Moderate shade tolerance Develops a dense tap root system Management Considerations • • • • • Less preferred mast species Deep lateral roots make it useful for watershed protection Will self prune Overstory removal effective as long as there is sufficient advance regeneration Shelterwood or thinnings may help to promote advance regeneration Disturbances • • • • Fire intolerant Susceptible to a variety of diseases but rarely severe damage Weevils may attack nuts Susceptible to hickory bark beetle, particularly during drought Alternate Compound Wetland Indicator: FACU 30 Pignut hickory, Carya glabra (Juglandaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Similiar to shagbark hickory, pinnately compound, but terminal leaflet a little smaller and the teeth on the leaf margin are hairless Buds/Twigs: Buds are smaller than shagbark buds and they lose outer bud scales soon after developing Stem: Small stems have smooth, hard bark. Larger stems develop hard flattened ridges Flowers/Fruits: Monecious; Flowers are catkins and give way to rounded nuts with end that resembles pig snout Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows best on well drained, light, loamy soils Strong taproot with few laterals Intermediate shade tolerance Management Considerations • • • • • • Disturbances • • Often codominant with white/red oak but less abundant Nut production for wildlife; kernel high in crude fat Considered highly windfirm and resistant to ice damage Will regenerate from advanced regeneration following shelterwood cuts Slow growing Hickory species can be distinguished from Ash by alternate branching pattern and bark that is hard (will not give way to thumbnail) Moderately browsed by deer, mammals and birds May be damaged by pests and disease but rarely fatal Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Compound 31 Shagbark hickory, Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Pinnate compound leaves, typically with five leaflets and a terminal leaflet that is often much larger than the others. Teeth on margins of leaves have a few fine hairs Buds/Twigs: Large buds that retain other bud scales Stem: Small stems have smooth, hard bark like other hickories. Large stems develop the namesake shaggy bark Flowers/Fruits: Monecious; flowers catkins, fruits are large rounded nuts Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Grows on deep, rich, moist soils Relatively shade tolerant Tends to be found in upland areas • • • • • Important wildlife species for birds and mammals Long lived and slow growing favors uneven aged management under long rotations Advanced regeneration may be damaged by logging Seedlings may persist in the understory and respond well when released Disturbances • • Thinning may promote epicormic sprouting Highly susceptible to insects and disease particularly in drought years Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Compound 32 Mockernut hickory, Carya tomentosa (Juglandaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Often with seven leaflets, wooly underneath Buds/Twigs: Similar to pignut hickory, except twigs are wooly Stem: Bark is dark grey with a diamond shaped pattern to the ridges Flowers/Fruit: Monecious; flowers catkins, fruit rounded nut Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Tends to be found in dryer soils on ridges and hillsides Moderately shade tolerant • • • Preferred mast for wildlife; predation makes seed establishment difficult Deep lateral roots, like bitternut hickory, valued for watershed protection Windfirm Similar to bitternut hickory; overstory removal treatments are effective when advanced regeneration is present Disturbances • • Susceptible to hickory bark beetle, especially during drought Seedlings susceptible to frost damage Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Compound 33 Butternut, Juglans cinerea (Juglandaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Pinnately compound with 11-19 leaflets, finely serrate, pubescent Buds/Twigs: Twigs, stems, and leaflets have sticky, oily hairs, dark brown chambered pith; leaf scars are large and threelobed, resemble a monkey face Stem: Bark is grayish, with furrows and ridges Flowers/Fruit: Catkins, large nuts single or in clusters of two to five www.hort,cornell.edu ● Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Well drained soils; streambanks, ledges Fast growing but short lived Moderately shade tolerant • • Very rare tree, becoming rarer with the onset of Butternut Canker disease Resprouts from cutting, but not following canker Not valuable for timber Disturbances • • • Susceptible to storm damage Fire intolerant Fungal canker (far right photo) is usually fatal and threatens species Alternate Compound Wetland Indicator: FACU 34 White pine, Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Needles: Five needles in each fascicle. Needles generally three to four inches long Stem: Thick, brown, rough bark on large stems. Bark is red to gray-brown, with prominent scaly ridges Flowers/fruit: 4-7” cones, wind pollinated, and wind dispersed seeds Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Tends to dominate excessively drained or well drained soils (outwash sites); competes best on well drained sandy soils of low to medium site quality, but can tolerate a broad amplitude of conditions May be found on fine sandy or silt loams during establishment of abandoned fields, pastures and blowdowns Intermediate shade tolerance • • • • • • • Disturbances • • Highly susceptible to white pine weevil which kills the terminal shoot and lateral branching Also susceptible to blister rust particularly when immature Low fire resistance Generally windfirm Seedlings very susceptible to competition and quickly suffer when overtopped Can be regenerated through clearcutting, seed tree, shelterwood, and group selection. Seed tree and shelterwood often used to prevent damage from White Pine Weevil With advanced regeneration it may only be necessary to remove the overstory A seed shadow from overstory trees is needed for regeneration Patch clearcutting is effective if adjacent stands can provide seed dispersal for regeneration Wetland Indicator: FACU Evergreen Conifer 35 Red pine, Pinus resinosa (Pinaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Needles: Two needles in each fascicle. Sparse branching and long, stiff needles give it a bottle-brush appearance. Bark is silvery-gray, scaly or plated with rusty red patches Flowers/Fruit: 1.5”-2.5” cones Dense and symmetrical, generally ovoid-shaped crown and upcurved branches Management Considerations • • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Typically found on sandy soils; dry, acidic soils low in fertility Lateral roots, moderately deep and wide spreading Shade intolerant • • Does best in even aged stands Due to shade intolerance, requires clearcut, shelterwood or seed tree treatments May require some sort of site preparation, such as soil scarification or fire Formerly a common plantation species Disturbances • • Fire dependent. Seedlings establish when fire removes organic layer and exposes mineral soil Susceptible to windthrow, ice storms, and snow breakage Wetland Indicator: FACU Evergreen Conifer 36 Pitch pine, Pinus rigida (Pinaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Needles: Three needles in a fascicle up to 6 inches long, stiff, straight, or twisted Stem: Straight to moderately curved, often with stubby branches or needle bunches on stem. Bark is thick, large, and rough, with irregular plates Medium sized, often irregular branching Fruit/flowers: 2-4 inch cones • • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Most common on less fertile, shallow, sandy or lean rocky soils Grows on a wide range of moisture conditions Shade intolerant • • • • • Disturbances • • Management Considerations Does not self prune; often very poor in form and habit Seedlings grow slowly, then more rapidly after 5-8 years, making them susceptible to deer browse and faster growing competition Dependent on fire for establishment and regeneration Forms savannas in fire regulated systems This is a rare species on the forest, and should be noted and retained where found Typically an early seral species replaced by hardwoods in the absence of fire Damaged by deer, small mammals, ice, wind, and snow Susceptible to tip moths, pitch pine looper, sawflies, and southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) Fire dependent Wetland Indicator: FACU Evergreen Conifer 37 Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (Pinaceae) ● ● ● ● www.biology.missouristate.edu/herbarium Identifying Characteristics Needles: Flat needles that lay in a single plane. White stripes on the lower side of the needles Stem: Highly excurrent form Bark: Scaly when young/small. Becomes red brown and deeply fissured with age/growth Flowers/fruit: Small (3/4 inch) cones Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers moist or very moist soils with good drainage; soils tend to be acidic Very shade tolerant; will often establish following discrete events such as tip up mounds, wind blowdown, etc. A late colonizer of disturbed sites Disturbances • • • Highly browsed by deer Highly susceptible to Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae), more resilient on cool northern aspects Fire intolerant • • • • • • Important wildlife habitat species, especially in winter as thermal cover; also high cavity value Three cut shelterwoods or patch selection due to high mortality of seedlings that are suddenly released Will not be able to compete with hardwoods unless released at sapling stage Subject to windthrow if released suddenly Creates an acidic infertile humus with little light which tends to leave little in understory Most shade tolerant of the eastern species. Able to respond after more than 100 years of suppression Wetland Indicator: FACU Evergreen Conifer 38 Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia (Ericaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Simple, evergreen, tough, leathery leaves with a prominent mid-vein; clustered toward the shoot tip Stem: Twisted, gnarled brown stems Flowers/Fruits: Flowers fade from pink to white, small brown fruits Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Prefers cool, moist, acidic, organic soil Prefers partial shade to full sun Occurs on xeric sites with rocky or sandy acidic soils, ridges and hillsides Drought resistant; strong competitor on xeric sites • • • • Understory species of oak-hickory forests Forms dense, impenetrable patches that make stands difficult to navigate and work in May inhibit pine abundance in the overstory; less so hardwood abundance Prescriptions often require crushing during harvesting to promote tree regeneration Disturbances • • Susceptible to leaf spot in heavy shade Greater abundance in heavily thinned stands Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs 39 High-bush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Crown forming deciduous shrub with two to five stems Leaves: Small, entire, oval leaves; red fall color Buds/Twigs: Slender, green or reddish twigs that zigzag. Very small, pointy, dark-colored buds Stem: Larger, older woody sections are light brown. New shoots are green Fruits: Small urn-shaped white flowers and delicious blue fruit Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Grows on hummocks and raised bogs; prefers moist, acidic, aerated soils with high organic matter Shade intolerant; found in open swamps, streamsides • • • Important summer and fall food and one of the most important agricultural blueberries in North America Plants are able to withstand extended flooded periods Will die back as shading increases Wetland indicator species Disturbances • • Flood tolerant Fire has been shown to help in keeping shading at bay which is important for the species Wetland Indicator: FACW Alternate Shrubs 40 Low-bush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Low growing Leaves: Narrow, finely toothed, with each tooth bearing a bristle tip. Green on both sides; dull above Buds/Twigs: Slender, green or reddish twigs that zigzag. Very small, pointy, dark colored buds Stem: Low shrub with many green branches Fruit: Similar to highbush blueberry, but fruit are smaller Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: prefers light, well drained acidic soils on drier sites, distinguishing it from highbush blueberry, which prefers wetter areas Tolerates sunny and shady conditions Management Considerations • • • • Important wildlife food Thought to interfere with red pine regeneration Creating openings, particularly thinnings for firewood, in closed canopy will aid in growth Considered an effective “recolonizer” of old fields and abandoned pastures Disturbances • • Resistant to emissions and acid rain Fire adapted Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs 41 Spicebush, Lindera benzoin (Lauraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● ● Loose, open growing deciduous shrub Leaves: Simple, entire; 3.5-5 inch long by 2 inch wide Twigs: Slender, greenish-brown stems with prominent lenticels; fragrant when broken Buds: Flower buds are small, round, and stalked Flowers: Small, yellow flowers occur in early spring before leaves Fruit: Red drupes mature in September Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Found predominantly in moist areas Extremely shade tolerant Management Considerations • • Important wildlife food and host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies Wetland indicator species Disturbances • Tolerates flooded conditions Wetland Indicator: FACW Alternate Shrubs 42 Sweet Pepperbush, Clethra alnifolia (Clethraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Deciduous shrub that suckers to form colonies Leaves: Simple with serrate margins, turning yellow to golden in autumn Twigs: Grey to brown bark on stems Flowers: Fragrant spires of white flowers in summer Fruit: Terminal racemes of dry capsules persist into winter Preferred Growing Conditions • • Management Considerations Soils: Found predominantly in moist areas Shade tolerant • • Wetland indicator Will sprout from stumps Disturbances • Deer browse Wetland Indicator: FAC Alternate Shrubs 43 Winterberry holly, Ilex verticillata (Aquifoliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Deciduous shrub that suckers to form colonies Leaves: Alternate, simple, elliptical with serrate margins Twigs: Grey to brown stems have dark spots on each side of leaf scar Flowers: Small greenish-white flowers in late spring Fruit: Red berries persistent into fall only on female plants Preferred Growing Conditions • • Management Considerations Soils: Found predominantly in moist areas Shade tolerant • • • Wetland indicator Berries preferred by many species of birds Will sprout from stumps Disturbances • Deer browse Wetland Indicator: FACW Alternate Shrubs 44 Sweetfern, Comptonia peregrina (Myricaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Deciduous shrub that suckers to form colonies Leaves: Alternate, fern-like leaves are aromatic when crushed Twigs: Stems are shiny with resin dots Flowers: Monoecious; catkins in spring Fruit: cluster of small nutlets Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Sandy or peaty soils with low fertility Full sun Competes best in low quality sites Management Considerations • • • Disturbances • Fire and flood sensitive • • Although called “sweetfern” this species is not a fern, but a shrub Poor site quality indicator Drought tolerant, can be used for erosion control on dry, sandy slopes Nitrogen fixing Ability to resprout from roots Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs 45 Steeplebush, Spiraea tomentosa (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Deciduous shrub with 2-4 ft unbranched stems Leaves: Egg-shaped leaves, coarse toothed 1-3 inch long Twigs: Orange to brown bark, twigs are wooly (tomentose) Flowers: Pink steeple-shaped spikes of flowers in late summer Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Average to wet, moderately acid soils Full sun Meadows, fields, and pastures www.uwgb.edu © Gary Fewless Management Considerations • Common in recently harvested areas Disturbances • • Fire sensitive Ability to resprout after harvest Wetland Indicator: FACW Alternate Shrubs 46 Red raspberry, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Palmately compound leaves Stem: Arching stems are round and greenish with bristly stems and a white, waxy bloom Flowers/Fruits: White flowers in clusters of one to four. Fruit is a typical red raspberry http://departments.bloomu.edu Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Tolerates a wide variety of textures and pH. Grows best on moderately well-drained soils high in nutrients Establishes and grows rapidly in full sun • • • Where raspberries form large thickets, can be an important source of cover for birds and small mammals Will spread quickly following fire or harvest Considered a pioneer or early seral species that will invade disturbed sites Important soft mast and commercial species Disturbances ● Pioneer species after disturbance Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs (Thorns) 47 Black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Palmately compound leaves Stem: Arching shrub, with round, greenish stems that have a white, waxy bloom and hooked prickles Flowers/Fruit: White flowers are less showy than Red raspberry, but similar and in clusters. Fruits are Black raspberries Management Considerations ● See Rubus idaeus Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Adaptable to a variety of conditions but prefers moist medium well drained soils Prefers sun to part shade Disturbances ● • Pioneer species after disturbance Fairly disease resistant Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs (Thorns) 48 Blackberry, Rubus alleghaniensis (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Palmately compound leaves Stem: Arching stems with ridged, brownish stems with stout prickles and lacking white, waxy bloom Flowers/Fruits: White flowers with five petals that persist longer than black raspberry. Receptacle remains with the fruit when picked which is different than raspberry species Management Considerations ● See Rubus idaeus Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Prefers well drained loamy soil Sun to part shade Disturbances ● Pioneer species after disturbance Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs (Thorns) 49 Multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora (Rosaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Pinnately compound leaves, with seven to nine leaflets per leaf. Base of petioles are fringed Buds/Twigs: Arching green stems with hooked thorns Flowers/Fruits: Clusters of small, white roses give way to numerous small, red hips Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Well drained preferred, but is adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Common in disturbed sites and edges. Prefers sun Will persist in a variety of areas but does not tolerate extremely wet or dry conditions • • • • Invasive exotic species Plants form large, expansive thickets and may reach 33 ft in diameter and 6-10 ft high Will colonize roadsides, disturbed sites, and open fields Less able to colonize mature forests due to lack of sun and competitive advantage of shade tolerant understory shrubs Disturbances ● Pioneer species following disturbance Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs (Thorns) 50 Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii (Berberidacaeae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Small, simple, teardrop-shaped leaves; margin entire Buds/Twigs: Wood inside is yellow. Ridged with many spines Stem: Tends to grow in a zigzag pattern Flowers/Fruits: Small, yellow, fragrant flowers in spring; red berries in fall and winter Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows well in a variety of soils but does not tolerate consistently wet soils Prefers full sun but will grow in part shade Heat and drought tolerant • • • • • Invasive exotic species Use of herbicide recommended. Cut at base and apply as a squirt Where herbicides cannot be used cutting can be followed by torching stumps until charred; repetition may be necessary. Seeds are disseminated by birds Excellent ground nesting bird habitat Disturbances ● ● Pioneer following disturbance Resprouts vigorously Wetland Indicator: FACU Alternate Shrubs (Thorns) 51 Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans (Anacardiaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Three leaflets, side leaflets often shaped like mittens. May have aerial roots climbing up tree trunks Stems: Naked buds on twigs, stems attach to trunks with modified roots that look “hairy” when mature Habit: Can grow as vine, ground cover, or small shrub Contains urushiol oil that causes an itchy rash, even when dormant or dead Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Occurs in a variety of soil conditions Tolerant of a large variety of light conditions, but is most prominent on edges Found under almost all moisture conditions Common in disturbed areas ● ● This plant causes an allergic skin reaction in many people; care should be taken to avoid contact Can pose hazard for loggers where prolific Studies have shown mowing three times per year can be an effective control in fields Disturbances • • Best treated with herbicide Moderately fire tolerant Wetland Indicator: FAC Vine 52 Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinqefolia (Vitaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Palmately compound with five to seven toothed leaflets. Grows along ground, stone walls and up tree stems. Tendrils have small adhesive disks Leaves: Distinctive arrangement of 5 leaflets Leaves up to 4 inch long; serrated leaf margin Fruit are bluish berries Twigs are orange-brown Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Can grow on a variety of soils, but prefers moist Shade tolerant but is also seen on borders of clearings, fencerows and streams Management Considerations • • • • Used for watershed management and erosion control Provides habitat for small mammals and birds Difficult to control when it competes with tree species Berries are an important food for migrating birds Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACU Vine 53 Www.plants.usda.gov ©Ted Bodner Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● www.duke.edu ©Jeffrey Pippen Grape, Vitis aestivalis (Vitaceae) Leaves: Simple, opposite, heart-shaped, toothed, lobed Stem: Rounded; branching tendrils. Brown shredding bark on woody stems. Stems often 1-2 inchin diameter Flowers/Fruits: Edible 1/4-1/2 inch berry, in clusters in early fall www.duke.edu Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Grows on fertile, well drained upland sites with sufficient moisture Can grow on a variety of soils but most frequently on light, nutrient rich soils Shade intolerant • • • • Berries are source of food for wildlife May function as a fuel ladder, particularly if debris accumulates along the vine Does not climb, but rather rises with the growing stand Large vines can damage trees; manage by cutting and painting with herbicide Disturbances ● Common on lands cleared for pasture and on forest edges Wetland Indicator: FACU Vine 54 Wild sarsaparilla, Aralia nudicaulis (Araliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Three leaves with five leaflets, all growing form the same point, typically in the same plane and equally spaced Stem: Simple, single stems that often have a three-way split Flowers/Fruits: flowers greenish white in three umbels. Clusters of blue-black berries Long rhizomes deep in the mineral soil Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Found on fine, loamy clay to coarse loam Can grow in a wide variety of conditions from moist to dry, and from poorly to well drained Shade tolerant ● ● Often found in clonal communities Individuals can be aged by counting growth rings at the base Berries can serve as food for wildlife Disturbances • Clonal species adapted to low light conditions Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 55 Jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum (Araceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Three-part leaves are net-veined Stem: 1-2 ft tall Flowers: Striped flowers are green to brown with a hooded spathe and spadix structure Fruits: Clusters of red berries Underground corm Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • Soils: Moist woods and swamps Sun and shade tolerant ● ● ● Self propagates from both seed and vegetatitively from the corm Often in wetland areas Berries are toxic Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACW Herbaceous species 56 Canada mayflower, Maianthemum canadense (Liliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Simple, oval or ovate leaves. Smaller plants may have only a single leaf Stem: Simple stem from long creeping rhizome Flowers/Fruits: Small raceme of white flowers; mottled red berries Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Soils: Tolerates a variety of conditions but does not grow well in high acidic soils Will grow on well drained and poorly drained sites Can exist in the understory in stands of all ages Shade tolerant • • • • Can be groundcover on shaded sites Will not resprout if harvesting severely disturbs the soil (i.e. use of grapple skidders). Reproduces vegetatively; little to no seedbank Will regenerate under a variety of cuttings Responds best following winter harvest Disturbances • Does not respond well to harvesting methods that disturb the soil or to other treatments such as disking or raking Wetland Indicator: FAC Herbaceous species 57 Starflower, Trientalis borealis (Primulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Single whorl of five to ten lance-shaped leaves; leaf edge toothless or with fine teeth; alternating leaflets are smaller forming a pinwheel effect Stem: Single, low, hairless stems Flowers/Fruits: White, star shaped flowers with five to nine pointed petals Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Soils: Prefers sandy, acidic soils but can persist in a variety of soil types Can persist in dry or moist conditions Shade tolerant Disturbances • • Susceptible to smut fungus Susceptible to deer browse Wetland Indicator: FAC Herbaceous species 58 Indian Cucumber root, Medeola virginiana (Liliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● • Leaves: Whorls of three to six lance shaped leaves. A second smaller tier of leaves is produced above in mature plants. Flowers/Fruit: Small greenish-yellow flowers are individually stalked, and often hang under the leaves. Black berries form and the center of leaf whorl takes on reddish hue Could be confused with starflower, but veins are parallel Preferred Growing Conditions • • Management Considerations Open woods and forest Most common in late sucessional stages of forest development Disturbances • May be sensitive to ground disturbance and harvest activities Wetland Indicator: FAC Herbaceous species 59 Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens (Ericaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Low spreading ground cover Leaves: Alternate, simple, evergreen, oval shaped, crenate margins; smell minty when crushed; leaves have a few small teeth along the margins Flowers/Fruits: Flowers small and white, urn-shaped with hints of pink; fruit is red and fleshy http://botit.botany.wisc.edu ©Virginia Kline Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Prefers acidic soils Mainly occurs on moist sites but will tolerate dry and poorly drained sites Shade tolerant • • • Common understory species Fruit and green leaves persist through the winter making it useful for wildlife but not typically overbrowsed Fruit production stimulated by overstory removal Disturbances • Fire intolerant, particularly when litter layer is removed since rhizomes are typically very shallow Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 60 Partridegberry, Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Groundcover Leaves: Opposite evergreen leaves are small and dark green with a prominent white vein Flowers/Fruits: Small white flowers in pairs on leaf axils, small fruits are red and fleshy and persistent into the winter Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Common understory species on acidic sites Prefers acidic soils Mainly occurs in stands with pines and hemlocks More common in late sucessional stands Disturbances ● Intolerant of ground disturbance Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 61 White wood aster, Aster divaricatus (Asteraceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Herbaceous perennial Leaves: Simple, alternate Flowers/Fruits: White to lavender “daisy-like” flowers are 3/4-1 inch diameter. Center starts yellow and turns purple with age Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • • ● Often found on edges of fields and forest roads Reproduces clonally and by seed and can form dense colonies when released Soils: Dry woodland soils Most common on forest edges in part sun Tolerant of dry, compacted soils under maples Disturbances Wetland Indicator: OBLU Herbaceous species 62 Whorled loosestrife, Lysimachia quadrifolia (Primulaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Herbaceous perennial Leaves: Whorls of four entire lance-shaped leaves on stems 1-3 ft tall Flowers: Yellow flowers with red markings are 1/2 inch in size and are borne on stalks emanating from each leaf whorl node. Four flowers are held alternate the leaves at each node. Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • Open woods and thickets Common on skid trails and edges ● Often found on edges of fields and forest roads Disturbances ● ● Common in disturbed sites, and harvested areas Fire tolerant Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 63 Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum pubescens or P. biflorum (Liliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● 1-3 ft tall, herbaceous perennial Leaves: large, broad lanceolate leaves alternate along a single large stem. P.pubescens has hairs along the veins; P. biflorum does not. Veins are less pronounced than on false Solomon’s seal Flowers/Fruits: Green to creamy-white bell-shaped flowers hang downwards in groups of one to three from all leaf axils. Flowers are sometimes followed by blue-black berries Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Underground rhizomes can tolerate limited amounts of ground disturbance Soils: Requires moist, well drained soil. Found in sandy, loamy and clay soils. Can tolerate acidic, neutral or alkaline soils Grows in full shade or part shade Heat and drought intolerant Disturbances ● Associated with late-sucessional intermediate disturbance regime forests Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 64 False Solomon’s seal, Maianthemum racemosum (Liliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● 1-2 ft at maturity Leaves: Large, broad, lanceolate leaves along a single, large stem; alternating; strong parallel veins run to the tip. Veins are deeper than true Solomon’s seal Flowers/Fruits: Racemes of white star-shaped flowers at the stem tip. Clusters of red berries follow the flowers Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • Grows best in full to part shade in well-drained, fertile soils with rich humus and moist Drought tolerant once established ● ● ● Can be distinguished from Solomon’s Seal by flowers and fruit borne terminally on the stem and pronounced veins Produces berries that are eaten by birds Insect pollinated Can tolerate full sun conditions after harvesting as long as soil is not excessively disturbed Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 65 Wild Oats, Uvularia sessilifolia or U. perfoliata (Liliaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Lance-shaped along a zig-zag stem. U. sessilifolia has leaves that clasp to the stem while U. perfoliata stems travel through the leaf (perfoliate) Clumping rhizotomous habit Both species are 6-12 inch tall Flowers: Cream to yellow flowers hang downwards, petals are separate, not bell-shaped www.ncwildflower.org Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions ● • • • Can easily be confused with Polygonatum species. Soils: Prefers rich woodland soils Grows in full shade or part shade Heat and drought intolerant Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACU Herbaceous species 66 Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus (Araceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Leaves: Large ovate leaves, with tell tale skunk odor when crushed. Leaves arranged in a rosette and resembles a large cabbage form Thick rhizomes, up to 12 inches Flowers/Fruits: Large knob-shaped cluster of flowers inside a mottled hood in early spring. Flowers are heat emitting and sometimes emerge through the snow. Fly-pollinated, carrion mimic www.facultystaff.richmond.edu © W J Hayden Management Considerations ● Common wetland indicator Preferred Growing Conditions • Soils: Found exclusively in wetland and muck soils Disturbances ● Tolerant of flooding Wetland Indicator: OBL Herbaceous species 67 Pennsylvania Sedge, Carex pensylvanica (Cyperaceae) ● ● Leaves: Short, linear, pale green, grass-like blades with parallel venation. Clumps turn tan in the fall Plants form small clumps mostly less than 12 inches tall and wide, but can spread by rhizomes to form a ground cover over time Flowers: Sedge type inflorescence with yellow flowers in spring www.wildflower.org ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • Commonly found on upland sites, but can also be found in moist woods Part sun to shade www.wildflower.org Identifying Characteristics Management Considerations ● Not found in deep shade. Often indicates open growing space, stand not ready for thinning Disturbances • • Resistant to deer grazing Tolerant of light fires only, resprouts from rhizome Wetland Indicator: FACW Herbaceous species 68 www.invasiveplants.net Common reed, Phragmites australis (Poaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Robust perennial grass; can reach 20 ft in height Leaves: Stiff wide blades; aligned on one side of stem, flat when mature Stem: stout, erect, hollow, leafy, persistent, without branches Flowers/Fruits: large plume-like feathery panicle Phragmites stands are often quite dense due to significant rhizome and stolon growth www.ecohusky.uconn.edu Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Common on wet, muddy, and flooded areas around ponds, marshes, lakes, springs, irrigation ditches, and waterways Tolerates a variety of soil, water, and nutrient conditions Prefers full sun or partial sun although can persist in shade • • Will exclude other species by extensive shading and dense utilization While a native species, the current aggressive form is thought to be a European variety, morphologically indistinguishable from the native strain Indicates wetland conditions Disturbances • Sprouts from rhizomes following fire Wetland Indicator: FACW Herbaceous species 69 Hay-scented fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Dennstaedtiaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Single stemmed fern that may form dense mats in the understory Leaves: Fronds are thrice cut. Single brown/black stems Distinguished from New York fern by triangular fronds that are broadest at the base (NY fern fronds taper at bottom) Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • Can form dense clonal communities that can shade and inhibit regeneration; reproduces both by spore and clonally Soils: Grows in rich, acidic, medium moisture loams in part to full shade Will tolerate full sun with sufficient moisture Disturbances • • Not particularly susceptible to insects or disease Pieces of rhizome can sprout following ground disturbance Wetland Indicator: OBLU Ferns & Fern allies 70 New York fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis (Thelypteridaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Fronds twice cut, tapers at both ends. Single stems, 1-2 ft tall Fronds taper toward the base; lowest leaflets very small Distinguished from hay-scented fern by smallest fronds at the base (hay scented has broadest fronds at base) Management Considerations • Preferred Growing Conditions • • Will establish following clearcuts and form a dense cover, preventing seedling reestablishment Soils: Grows in moist woodlands and pastures, ravines, bogs, and swamps Shade tolerant but quickly occupies canopy openings Disturbances • Will resprout following fire Wetland Indicator: FAC Ferns & Fern allies 71 Cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea (Osmundaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Fronds are twice cut. Wooly tufts at base of leaflets. Stem is thick with a brown wooly base. More than 2 ft tall. Leaflets are rounded lobes Coiled furry fiddleheads One of the tallest ferns in eastern forests Fertile fronds are cinnamon colored, narrow and erect, resembling “cinnamon sticks” Leaf stock is round and covered with cinnamon hairs at first becoming smooth and green Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● Soils: Cinnamon fern is found on poorly drained low ground and in thickets, wet marshy woods, swamps, ditches, and streambanks May form large clumps and completely overtake the understory in swampy areas with dense shade Disturbances ● Tolerant of flooded conditions Wetland Indicator: FACW Ferns & Fern allies 72 Royal fern, Osmunda regalis (Osmundaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Fronds are doubly pinnate, with smooth margined leaflets; sterile fronds are spreading, while fertile fronds are erect and have clusters of brown sporangia at apex Newly emerging fronds can be reddish-purple in color Very tall, can grow to 5 ft in good conditions Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions ● Soils: Wetland soils ● Wetland obligate. Can be used to demarcate wetlands to find edges of timber sales Reproduces vegetatively from short spreading rhizome Disturbances ● Tolerant of flooded conditions Wetland Indicator: OBL Ferns & Fern allies 73 Broad beech fern, Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Thelypteridaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Twice cut fronds Lowest frond pair is larger and often points downward 16-24 inches tall Styem winged and green stem Visible sori on underside of frond Distinguishable from broad beech by winged area between the lowest two leaflets Management Considerations ● Indicates rich sites Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● Soils: Prefers moderately acidic soils Rich, moist woods Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACU Ferns & Fern allies 74 Narrow beech fern, Phegopteris connectilis (Thelypteridaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● ● ● Leaves: Twice cut fronds Fronds shaped like arrowheads with lowest pair of leaflets pointing outward at a diagonal 6-10 inches tall Stem is ungrooved with light brown scales Visible sori on underside of frond Distinguishable from broad beech fern because lowest pair of pinnae are not connected by wings to the rest Management Considerations ● Indicates rich sites Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● Soils: Prefers moderately acidic soils Prefers rich, moist woodlands Disturbances Wetland Indicator: FACU Ferns & Fern allies 75 Maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatum (Pteridaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Fronds are palmately branched with small delicate leaflets on a wiry black or dark brown stalk Fronds sometimes have dark markings Spores on outer edges of leaflets Management Considerations ● Preferred Growing Conditions ● ● Humus rich, moist, well drained sites Seeps, riparian, and wetlands ● Often indicative of seeps on richer sites. May indicate wetland conditions Soil compaction from harvesting can damage reproduction Disturbances ● ● Tolerant of flooded conditions Not tolerant to fire or excessive ground disturbance, shallow rhizome Wetland Indicator: FACW Ferns & Fern allies 76 Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides (Dryopteridaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● ● Leaves: Fronds are once cut. Evergreen leaflets shaped like Christmas stocking. Fine teeth along margin of leaflets Grows to 2 ft tall Spores on underside of leaflets Smaller, fertile leaflets at top Management Considerations Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Clump forming evergreen fern, does not inhibit regeneration Can aid in preventing soil erosion on slopes Soils: Needs well-drained conditions. Grows best in rich, midslope site, but can tolerate dry to medium moisture soils Grows in full or part shade, but can tolerant sunny conditions Disturbances • Not highly susceptible to insects or disease Wetland Indicator: FACU Ferns & Fern allies 77 www.duke.edu ©Will Cook Identifying Characteristics ● ● ● Small plant that looks like small spruce or pine trees with narrow pointed leaves. Often growing in groups connected by trailing stems Distinguished by individual busy form and deeply buried horizontal stem. Also distinguished by round branches that resemble pine more than cedar Cylindrical, yellow cones 1 1/2 inch on tips of upper branches; 12 or more on one stem Preferred Growing Conditions • • • Grows on moist floors in mixed forests Tolerates range of nutrient and light conditions Most numerous mid-seral and will diminish in more mature www.borealforest.org Tree clubmoss, Lycopodium obscurum (Lycopodiaceae) Management Considerations • • • • Toxic to wildlife Sensitive to disturbance created during harvesting One of the “princess pine” species. Demand for these species in Christmas decorations and wreaths lead to over-collecting and low populations in certain areas Regenerates by sprouting from rhizomes Disturbances • • • Fire intolerant Flooding intolerant Intolerant of excessive ground level disturbance Wetland Indicator: FACU Ferns & Fern allies 78 Running cedar, Lycopodium complanatum (Lycopodiaceae) Identifying Characteristics ● Small plant that looks like small spruce or pine trees with narrow pointed leaves. Often growing in groups connected by trailing stems Leaves: in four vertical rows, sharp, fused into a stem. Elevated base, smaller on lower side http://botit.botny.wisc.edu ● Preferred Growing Conditions • • • • Management Considerations Soils: Prefers light, sandy and medium, loamy soils. Must be well-drained and moist Tolerates acidic, neutral and alkaline soils Can grow in full or semi shade Mid-seral species ● • • Many medicinal uses One of the “princess pine” species. Demand for these species in Christmas decorations and wreaths lead to over-collecting and low populations in certain areas May be sensitive to harvesting activities Disturbances • • • Fire intolerant Flooding intolerant Intolerant of excessive ground level disturbance, shallow rhizomes Wetland Indicator: FACU Ferns & Fern allies 79 Common Name Index Common name Page # Common name Alternate leaved dogwood 29 Hop hornbeam Basswood 25 Beech 15 Bigtooth aspen 26 Bitternut hickory 30 Black birch Page # Common name Page # 22 Shagbark hickory Indian cucumber root 59 Skunk cabbage 67 Jack-in-the-pulpit 56 Solomon’s seal 64 Japanese barberry 51 Spice bush 42 Low-bush blueberry 41 Starflower 58 18 Maidenhair fern 76 Steeplebush 46 Black cherry 24 Maple-leaved viburnum 9 Striped maple 8 Black oak 14 Mockernut hickory 33 Sugar maple 6 Black raspberry 48 Mountain laurel 39 Sweetfern 45 Blackberry 49 Multiflora rose 50 Sweet pepperbush 43 Broad beech fern 74 Musclewood 21 Tree clubmoss 78 Butternut 34 Narrow beech fern 75 Tulip poplar 23 Canada mayflower 57 New York fern 71 Virginia creeper 53 Chestnut 16 Paper birch 19 White ash 11 Christmas fern 77 Partridgeberry 61 White oak 12 Cinnamon fern 72 Pennsylvania sedge 68 White pine 35 Common reed 69 Pignut hickory 31 White wood aster 62 False Solomon’s seal 66 Pitch pine 37 Whorled loosestrife 63 Flowering dogwood 10 Poison ivy 52 Wild oats 65 Grape 54 Raspberry 47 Wild sarsaparilla 55 Gray birch 20 Red maple 7 Winterberry 44 Hay-scented fern 70 Red oak 13 Wintergreen 60 Hazelnut 28 Red pine 36 Witch hazel 27 Hemlock 38 Royal fern 73 Yellow birch 17 High-bush blueberry 40 Running cedar 79 Index 32 80 Latin Name Index Latin name Page # Latin name Page # Latin name Page # Acer pennsylvanicum 8 Dennstaedia punctilobula 70 Pinus strobus 35 Acer rubrum 7 Fagus grandifolia 15 Polygonatum sp. 64 Acer saccharum 6 Fraxinus americana 11 Polystichum acrostichoides 77 Adiantum pedantum 76 Gaultheria procumbens 60 Populus grandidentata 26 Aralia nudicalis 55 Hammemilis virginiana 27 Prunus serotina 24 Arisaema triphyllum 56 Ilex verticillata 44 Quercus velutina 14 Aster divaricatus 62 Juglans cinerea 34 Quercus alba 12 Berberis thunbergii 51 Kalmia latifolia 39 Quercus rubrum 13 Betula alleghaniensis 17 Lindera benzoin 42 Rosa multiflora 50 Betula lenta 18 Liriodendron tulipifera 23 Rubus alleghaniensis 49 Betula papyrifera 19 Lycopodium complanatum 79 Rubus idaeus 47 Betula populifolia 20 Lycopodium obscurum 78 Rubus occidentalis 48 Carex pennsylvanica 68 Lysimachia quadrifolia 63 Smilacina racemosa 66 Carpinus caroliniana 21 Maianthemum canadense 57 Spiraea tomentosa 46 Carya cordiformis 30 Medeola virginiana 59 Symplocarpus foetidus 67 Carya glabra 31 Mitchella repens 61 Thelypteris noveboracensis 71 Carya ovata 32 Osmunda cinnamomea 72 Tilia americana 25 Carya tomentosa 33 Osmunda regalis 73 Toxicodendron radicans 52 Castanea dentata 16 Ostrya viginiana 22 Trientalis borealis 58 Clethra alnifolia 43 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 53 Tsuga canadensis 38 Comptonia peregrine 45 Phegopteris connectilis 75 Uvularia sp. 65 Cornus alternifolia 29 Phegopteris hexagonoptera 74 Vaccinium angustifolium 41 Cornus florida 10 Phragmites australis 69 Vaccinium corymbosum 40 Corylus americana 28 Pinus resinosa 36 Viburnum acerifolium 9 Pinus rigida 37 Vitis aestivalis 54 Index 81